Personal practical knowledge : an attempt at bridging the gap between the curriculum-as-planned and the curriculum-as-lived

Abstract

This study is an endeavor to describe what goes on in my classroom (curriculum-as-lived) through the process of Personal Practical Knowledge research (PPK) . PPK consists of the phenomenological writing of classroom occurrences in the form of narratives. Phenomenological is defined here as transformation from raw fieldnotes, collected in the form of a journal, to their final transcription through several reflected editions suggested through the writing itself, and stimulated by discussions with a faculty member. The writing process brought insight into my teaching as it highlighted some of the beliefs and values underscoring my practice. This sharpened awareness assisted me in understanding what my teaching is.