25.12.2013 Views

View - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

View - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

View - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

teaching <strong>of</strong> a range <strong>of</strong> dimensions with particular reference to teaching for ethnic and cultural<br />

diversity and British as opposed to English history. The first four interviewees related this to<br />

constructing a more balanced and appropriate history curriculum. The last three interviewees<br />

related this to anti-racism, which may have reflected their particular research interests or role<br />

in the context <strong>of</strong> a large multicultural city. All <strong>of</strong> the interviewees supported the inclusion <strong>of</strong><br />

an Irish dimension within a broad framework <strong>of</strong> the past. The first interviewee related it to<br />

the development <strong>of</strong> Britain. This was also evident in the responses from other interviewees.<br />

The third and fourth interviewees related this more explicitly to the development <strong>of</strong> Empire.<br />

The fifth, sixth and particularly the seventh interviewee linked an Irish dimension to an antiracist<br />

perspective. The seventh interviewee provided a pragmatic case for teaching Ireland at<br />

Key Stage 3 as a means <strong>of</strong> supporting pupils studying Ireland as part <strong>of</strong> the School History<br />

Project at Key Stage 4. Most <strong>of</strong> the interviewees had actively promoted an Irish dimension<br />

either through producing materials or providing a platform for their dissemination. Most<br />

interviewees had supported the Irish related projects. The sixth and seventh interviewees had<br />

provided workshops and articles that promoted the teaching <strong>of</strong> an Irish dimension in the<br />

curriculum.<br />

The interviewees indicated a number <strong>of</strong> factors which limited the development <strong>of</strong> an Irish<br />

dimension, some <strong>of</strong> which related to history in general. The decisions made by individual<br />

teachers about what to teach were a significant influence on what was covered. Confidence,<br />

expertise and insufficient INSET opportunities were regarded as significant by several<br />

interviewees. The seventh interviewee stressed the way that current whole school initiatives<br />

such as creativity were bypassing history and opportunities, which it provided for developing<br />

them. In addition, issues such as perceptions <strong>of</strong> popular topics for options, pressures on

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!