Pedagogy as Praxis: Education and training in initial professional education for Community Workers and Youth Workers

Ciara Bradley; Maurice  Devlin; Patricia  Brennan; Hilary  Tierney; Saoirse  Reynolds Conlon; Anastasia  Crickley

doi:10.1921/jpts.v21i1-2.2050

Authors

Ciara Bradley Maynooth University, Department of Applied Social Studies, Assistant Professor http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6492-9570
Maurice Devlin Maynooth University, Professor https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3083-7218
Patricia Brennan Maynooth University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3439-3661
Hilary Tierney Maynooth University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1379-6944
Saoirse Reynolds Conlon Maynooth University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2913-7556
Anastasia Crickley Maynooth University, Associate Professor Emeritus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v21i1-2.2050

Keywords:

Pedagogy, Praxis, Community Work, Youth Work, Initial Professional Education and Training

Abstract

This paper examines apraxis-focused pedagogical approach to professional formation in community work and youth work developed over four decades at the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University. The approach is rooted in collectivity, participation, and empowerment, and is based on Freirean and feminist analysis of social structures and embedded systemic discriminations including racism. It aims to develop critical praxis in students through an integrated curriculum grounded in theory and practice, a dialectic of classroom and fieldwork learning, interactive assessments, active student participation in their practice learning, mentoring from departmental staff and fieldwork supervisors. Taken together these elements model ‘pedagogy as praxis’.

Author Biographies

Ciara Bradley, Maynooth University, Department of Applied Social Studies, Assistant Professor

Ciara Bradley is a community worker and associate professor in the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University.

Maurice Devlin , Maynooth University, Professor

Maurice Devlin is Professor and former Head of Department of Applied Social Studies in Maynooth University, where he also holds the Jean Monnet Chair in European Youth Studies.

Patricia Brennan, Maynooth University

Trish Brennan was a practitioner in community work in Ireland for over 20 years. Her interest in professional education resulted in a position as Assistant Professor with the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University

Hilary Tierney , Maynooth University

Dr. Hilary Tierney is Associate Professor and Programme Lead for Community Work and Youth Work at the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University (MU). She is co-director of the Centre for Youth Research and Development at MU.

Saoirse Reynolds Conlon , Maynooth University

A youth worker for over ten years and currently undertaking doctoral research on youth work and the arts, also working as a part-time assistant lecturer in the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University.

Anastasia Crickley , Maynooth University, Associate Professor Emeritus

Anastasia Crinkly was Head of Department of Applied Social Studies in Maynooth University which developed and leads on professional education in community work and youth work in Ireland. She has a long history working against racism was chair of the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

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