Understanding the differences between Further Education and Higher Education contexts

Research output: Contribution to conferencePresentation

Abstract

The paper will draw on findings from a PhD research project that is in its final stages. The project examined the professional identities of Further Education and Training (FET) practitioners in the Irish FET sector and considered the impact of post-2012 sectoral changes upon those identities. The project consisted of three data collection stages. Contextual data in relation to the Irish FET sector and issues of importance to FET practitioners was gathered through Stage 1, an initial small consultation, and Stage 2, a larger on-line survey. Twelve narrative interviews were then conducted during Stage 3 which allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the professional identities held by FET practitioners and the impact of sectoral changes upon those identities.

Of the twelve Stage 3 interviewees, all of whom had worked for at least ten years in FET, six also had experience of lecturing in Higher Education (HE) institutions. Based on their interviews, perceived differences between HE and FET contexts and between HE and FET learners were identified. Learning can be taken from an examination of these differences in order to better understand FET learners who are entering HE and the learning contexts they experienced while in FET. Suggestions can also made in relation to how we can make HE more accessible to previous FET learners and to better support them as they make the transition to becoming effective Higher Education students.
Original languageEnglish (Ireland)
Publication statusPublished - 03 May 2023
EventEvolving Learner Identity and Pathways in Further and Higher Education - Wexford, Ireland.
Duration: 03 May 2023 → …

Conference

ConferenceEvolving Learner Identity and Pathways in Further and Higher Education
Period03/05/2023 → …

Keywords

  • Differences between Further Education and Higher Education contexts

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