‘The Path of Least Resistance’ as Agency grounded in Morality: Meeting Teaching and Research Expectations in an Asian Higher Education Context

Daron Benjamin Loo and Ritha Maidom and Esther Varah (2023) ‘The Path of Least Resistance’ as Agency grounded in Morality: Meeting Teaching and Research Expectations in an Asian Higher Education Context. Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE), 19 (1). pp. 235-243. ISSN 1823-7797

	Text ABSTRACT.pdf Download (41kB)
	Text FULL TEXT.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (203kB) \| Request a copy

URL: https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/AJUE/article/v...

Abstract

This study presents an examination of agency grounded in morality that is enacted by university lecturers to meet teaching and research expectations at an Asian university. This form of agency is conceived as being on the path of least resistance, where there is an interest to meet various expectations in a higher education context. Through narrative inquiry, this study examined the reflections of Ritha and Esther collected through collaborative auto-ethnography. The reflections were prompted by four narrative frames and resembled a conversation. Subsequently, the reflections were analysed through the lens of socio-cultural constructivism, where intersubjectivities were drawn together to arrive at a meaningful interpretation of agency. Findings from this study include university lecturers’ reconfiguration of priorities to attend to students’ needs, discovering fulfilment in doing research, and taking an ethical stance towards meeting institutional expectations. These findings point towards a cultural attribute of teacher agency in an Asian setting, which warrants further exploration.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Morality, Narrative inquiry, Teacher agency, University teaching
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB5-3640 Theory and practice of education > LB1025-1050.75 Teaching (Principles and practice) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB5-3640 Theory and practice of education > LB2300-2430 Higher education
Department:	CENTRE > Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	25 Jan 2024 16:29
Last Modified:	25 Jan 2024 16:29
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38000

Actions (login required)

View Item