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Should RE teachers be confident?

Dr Kevin O'Grady | 01 June, 2019

Gert Biesta isn’t sure. He thinks that the benefit of research is to offer ‘informed uncertainty’ to them; teaching is a journey with pupils into the unknown. So, in response to a short presentation from me that showed how engaging with reports on Research for RE had built teachers’ confidence, he wondered whether that is a good thing or not.

This conversation happened during the AULRE[i] conference of May 9-10 at Newman University, Birmingham. We’re planning a series of blogs that reflect on this conference, in which the other writers and myself are asked to weigh up what the AULRE conference offers to teachers. It’s a good question, since AULRE wishes to become an association for a broad range of RE professionals and (I’d argue) the research presented at its conference needs to reach teachers to develop RE. If it can, it has tremendous potential. I’ll try to show why by drawing on a few of my conference experiences.

First, back to the confidence dispute. Having had time to think about it, I don’t disagree with Gert, the issues just need spelling out. This definition of positive emotional energy from the sociologist Randall Collins helps:

“. . . a feeling of confidence, courage to take action, boldness in taking initiative. It is a morally suffused energy; it makes the individual feel not only good, but exalted, with the sense of doing what is the most important and most valuable . . . Emotional energy has a powerfully motivating effect on the individual; whoever has experienced this kind of moment wants to repeat it.” [ii]

That’s what kept me going for thirty years as a teacher. Arguably, the contested nature and content of RE make this kind of confidence particularly needed. I do think that RE teachers need to have confidence, but it’s the confidence to face difference, uncertainty and ambiguity with pupils, so that they grow up able to relate to the world as it is. We need to be professionally robust and epistemologically humble.

The AULRE conference had three keynote sessions, all of which visited this same kind of territory, as all three speakers resisted the narrow accountability model that continues to dominate English education. Joyce Miller spoke on the CORE report and its reception, regretting that some commentators had seen an overemphasis on content knowledge and lack of attention to pupil self-awareness and reflexivity. [iii] David Aldridge considered a pedagogy of belonging; an alternative to technicist models, emphasising attentive listening, slowness and love. I was particularly provoked by Pat Hannam’s address, on education, RE and the future of the world. She illustrated the crises of environmental degradation, children’s unhappiness and policy drift (namely the Ofsted definition of ‘good’ education which alludes to neither the world nor children) and underlined our responsibility to bring children to action. It was commented that they may be doing so already without us, and whilst this may be true, it doesn’t remove our responsibilities as educators.

It was an excellent conference, and many more examples could be given, but it’s time to come back to the question of how teachers might benefit. Well, I hope it’s clear that visionary thinking is happening in our subject. At one level, I’d like teachers to be aware of it, participate in it and help it to build RE’s future; at another level, I’d like it to have to connect with the everyday reality of school. The two levels can be bridged, of course, and I’ll just mention one more AULRE conference example, Frances Lane’s presentation on using research communities of practice to support trainee and beginning teachers. It’s at this kind of interface where I see Culham St Gabriel’s research strategy developing in the future, as well as supporting later stage teachers to become researchers via master’s and doctoral work which informs classroom practice.[iv] If you are interested in making this kind of professional journey, you might well find inspiration and possible starting points at the AULRE conference, so do take confidence and get in touch if we might support you to attend. Kevin@cstg.org.uk

 

 

[i] The Association of University Lecturers in Religious Education now describes itself as the network for learning, teaching and research in religion and education. See http://aulre.org/

[ii] Randall Collins (2004), Interaction Ritual Chains, Princeton: Princeton University Press, pages 39, 49, 121, 134, 105-9, 108, quoted in Christian Smith (2017), Religion: what it is, how it works and why it matters, Princeton: Princeton University Press, page 223.

[iii] See my May blog at https://www.reonline.org.uk/news/kevins-blog-religion-worldviews-and-big-ideas-where-do-you-stand/

[iv] We do already support doctoral researchers to present at AULRE through a bursary – again, those interested are welcome to email me.

About

Dr Kevin O'Grady is Lead Consultant for Research at Culham St Gabriel's Trust.

See all posts by Dr Kevin O'Grady

Some take-aways from the AULRE conference 2019

Katie Clemmey | 20 May, 2019

At every conference I attend, you will find me with a neat notebook and pen poised to take down as many ideas as I possibly can from the sessions I select. I find it useful afterwards to go through and highlight the key ideas that will stay with me either for immediate use or for me to think about more and maybe even read up on! This year’s AULRE was no different and with 18 pages of notes I thought I would try to distil some of it here:
  • We need to teach the pupils about people. Pupils are also people.
This came from Joyce Miller’s opening keynote. She was talking about avoiding the use of the easy label in RE. Let’s stop talking about people being Christians or Muslims, Sikhs or Hindus and so on. People of faith have jobs, families, hobbies, communities, wider interests…..and so do our pupils. Let’s recognise that people are more than a label. We need to avoid our pupils feeling that they are not a part of the RE landscape. Avoid the disconnection they can feel and make them see that just like, for example, Christians, they have a view on matters in RE too.
  • We teach children, not just RE.
This theme was one that came up in papers by Julian Stern, Elizabeth Russell and Pat Hannam. RE isn’t just about teaching our subject and for many of us, it is not the primary focus. Teaching has an ethical aspect and we want to positively impact on the lives of the young people in front of us. We need to care about them. Our key motivation for teaching may vary but the day to day is always about children.
  • Collaborating with others leads to impactful innovation.
This came from a paper by Frances Lane about a module for her NQTs. By insisting they work in small RE teams and clearly identifying a joint project, they were encouraged to support, problem solve and innovate their way through their NQT year. I bet they had fun doing it too!
  • Stop using the word ‘explore’.
As a learning objective that is. We don’t often head out to explore anywhere in RE! Thanks to Nigel Fancourt, Liam Guilfoyle and Jessica Chan for reminding me of this. There must be better verbs for what we are doing in class?
  • Brainwashing might work, and be quick, but it is not what we want to do.
Dave Aldridge also gave us an introduction to time travel (yes, really!) but it was this point about brainwashing that I found most striking. Yes, we could, but we don’t. The kind of knowledge that could be imparted this way is probably not the kind of thing we want to teach.

About

Katie is a Senior Lecturer in RE at Canterbury Christchurch University. She runs the RE PGCE Secondary programme there having taught RE in schools for 11 years. Katie has undertaken research around embedding University practice in primary schools and around using strategies for talk in RE. She is currently engaged in a research project with Bob Bowie and Farid Panjwani into using Hermeneutics in RE. Katie is also on the executive committee for AULRE.

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Learning from research in a time of change

Dr Kathryn Wright | 15 May, 2019

 

Last week I attended the AULRE 2019 conference in Birmingham. AULRE is an association of members interested in learning, teaching and research in religion and education. This year around 70 delegates attended, this included university lecturers, PGCE tutors, advisers, consultants and teachers.

Not surprisingly, responses to and critique of the Commission on RE (2018) report flavoured many of the keynotes and papers presented. Joyce Miller stressed the importance of the inclusive nature of the report which she argued comprehensively presents a vision for all. She made a case for understanding the socio-political context of RE, re-examining the content of the subject through overarching conceptual categories and embracing the term ‘worldview’ as a way of providing meaning to the subject for all. She hinted at ways in which a Buddhist worldview might be explored through the vision of the Commission. I found this inspiring and hope Joyce will go on to consider other ways in which the Commission’s vision may become a reality. This has the potential to transform curriculum design in our subject and impact on classroom practice.

I attended a number of parallel papers, and one common theme running through them was the importance of the teacher’s context, career journey and own worldview when considering how they understand the subject of RE. For example, one researcher talked about how teacher’s understanding of the subject might be more relational or more subject focussed. Some teachers may have a stronger sense of vocation, some are influenced by policy change, but others are not. Professional learning was regarded as important in terms of implementing policy changes. If teachers do not engage with professional learning the research found that teachers were not aligned to policy changes and would often continue as before. There is a huge overlap between subject construction and the identity of the teacher. This provides some important questions for policy makers who want to bring about change. For example, it shows the importance of professional learning when a new agreed syllabus is introduced or when new approaches to teaching and learning are advocated such as the RE:searchers project or a resource like Understanding Christianity. In addition, if the recommendations from the Commission are to be taken forward, it shows how important the engagement of teachers is in this process.

One piece of research suggested that an understanding of the aims of RE is rarely static for a teacher. One important point made was that teachers are influenced by socio-cultural factors as well as ontological (beliefs about the subject) and epistemological (knowledge of the subject) ones. When beginner teachers embark on their careers the epistemological factors are very strong as they learn about the subject, but as they progress through their career the socio-cultural factors often become much stronger. In fact, it was argued that sometimes the epistemological factors have no bearing on the teacher at all once they are an established teacher unless they engage with research. This raised some important questions for me about the importance of interaction between researchers and teachers and the value of action research especially during times of change.

 

References:

Keynote: Dr Joyce Miller: Religion and worldviews- the way forward?

Parallel Paper given by Dr Elizabeth Russell

Parallel Paper given by Alexis Stones

About

Dr Kathryn Wright is CEO of Culham St Gabriel's Trust

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A reflection – the birth of Hussain ibn Ali

Zameer Hussain | 11 April, 2019

Shia Muslims have a big emphasis on celebrating the birthdays of their revered personalities, in particular the Ahl-ul-Bayt (the family of Prophet Muhammad). Such occasions are seen as days of blessings and happiness. It is common for Shia Muslims to dress well, go to the mosque and celebrate the birth of such personalities, through poetry and taking lessons from their lives. One of the 10 obligatory acts, or branches of religion (Furu ad-Deen), that Shia Muslims practice is Tawalla. This is to show association, love and devotion towards the Ahl-ul-Bayt. Celebrating their birthdays and mourning deaths is an expression of Tawalla.

However, the birth of Hussain ibn Ali has a slightly different feel. Imam Hussain is the 3rd Imam according to Shia Muslims and is the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. He is most famous for the Day of Ashura where he was brutally yet heroically martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. This is arguably the most important day for Shia Muslims in the year, particularly for their identity.

Reconciling the happy occasion of the birth of Imam Hussain with his impending tragedy is a challenge. When a baby is born, it is one of the happiest moments in one’s life. However, according to reports, when Imam Hussain was born, there was sadness too. Gabriel descended to Prophet Muhammad to congratulate him on the birth of his grandson. This was then followed by consolation as they informed the Messenger of how Hussain’s life would end, which caused the whole family to weep.

For Shia Muslims today, his birth will always have an undercurrent of grief as we know what was to become. On the birthdays of the Ahl-ul-Bayt, we do not feel sad at all and it is a reason to smile. On the birthday of Imam Hussain, we are still very happy that such a monumental figure in the history of humankind was born. However, a tear in the eye cannot be stopped because we know in 5 months’ time when the month of Muharram arrives, we will be crying in grief over his tragic death. Shia Muslims do not shy away from showing emotion in expression of their beliefs and sometimes these emotions can conflict.

The birthday of Imam Hussain is a paradoxical day as my face smiles but my heart aches.

This is why the great grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Jafar Sadiq, the 6th Shia Imam (of the Twelver Shia branch), says:
“Never has a mother been so reluctant to give birth than the birth of Hussain.”

About

Zameer has been involved in Religious Education and interfaith work since 2013. This has included leading RE departments and supporting teachers nationally with subject knowledge.

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A reflection – something off my chest

Zameer Hussain | 01 November, 2018

One of the most common things we are asked as Shia Muslims is “do you beat yourselves?”
I would like to answer this from my own perspective.

All human beings express themselves in different ways that are symbolic. The same applies to expressing grief – it symbolises something close to us. It is a personal choice that allows you to externally show your internal feelings. Shia Muslims strike their chests in a rhythm to poetry, in order to create a cathartic atmosphere that juggles grief, pride, relief, pain and several other contradictory emotions.

When I strike my chest, I am reminding myself that the holy chest of Imam Hussain [1] was trampled upon by the hooves of horses. I am reaffirming my loyalty to him and telling the world that my chest is worthless compared to Imam Hussain’s chest that was filled with Divine treasures. This chest torn to pieces, after all, was the chest of God’s final Messenger. When I remove my shirt to do this, I am reminding myself that the holy shirt of Imam Hussain was torn to pieces. I am saying that my body should have been violated, not Imam Hussain’s.

Muslims believe that when we are judged by God on the Day of Resurrection, our body parts anthropomorphise and bear witness for us.[2]
The tongue will testify to our lies we uttered.
The ears will testify to the vain talk we listened to.
The legs will testify to the immoral gatherings we walked to.
However, I am relying on my hands to testify that they struck my chest in grief for the beautiful son of Zahra.[3]
I want my chest to tell its Creator that a fraction of the pain of Imam Hussain was felt by it through my hands.
This way, maybe my body that I have used to disobey my Lord will salvage itself.

When we strike our chests, we are not harming ourselves. This is an unjust accusation that lacks emotional intelligence. We are creating poetic art through emotional and religious expression in its purest form. In fact, there is a paradox at play: striking my chest heals the pain and anguish I feel for Imam Hussain’s tragedy. I am healing when I do this. Ironically, when I strike my chest, it seems to hurt those who hate me more than it actually hurts me.

When someone cries, we know they are sad about something.
When someone wears black, we know they are probably mourning.
But when I strike my chest, the world knows I am expressing my love for Imam Hussain.

I will never be ashamed of beating my chest for him. It is my identity as his mourner. I am proud of my identity. It is an honour to offer this to the Messenger and Zahra as a show of love towards their beloved.

As the poet says:
“Had they any love for the Messenger’s house,
They would have joined us in striking our chests.”

1. Hussain Ibn Ali was the grandson of the Prophet, and was martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. He is the 3rd Imam for Shia Muslims
2. “That Day, We will seal over their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn.” (Quran 36:65)
3. A name of Fatima, daughter of Prophet Muhammad.

About

Zameer has been involved in Religious Education and interfaith work since 2013. This has included leading RE departments and supporting teachers nationally with subject knowledge.

See all posts by Zameer Hussain