Tapping Into Creativity: A/R/Tography as a Research Methodology Underpinning Teacher Education

Abstract

Educational research within teacher education has become a must, where there is emphasis on ‘teacher as researcher’, with action research as their methodology. Yet, many teachers may not have embarked on any form of research prior to educational programmes designed to enhance their pedagogy and impact their practice. There is also a question around the methodologies they are introduced to, which at times fail to hone in on the very characteristic and golden thread of their profession: creativity. This article reintroduces the concept of a/r/tography, not only as a methodology from art-based education in its own right, but also as one that can be used as a hybridised practice-oriented and action research-based methodology within teacher education. Not just for dissertation or research purposes, but as something that should underpin all programme curriculum and pedagogy designed for the education of teachers.