Teacher Collaboration Praxis: Conflicts, Borders, and Ideologies From a Micropolitical Perspective

Abstract

This paper looks at a feature of teacher collaboration within Achinstein’s (2002) micropolitics of collaboration but from an intrapersonal perspective. Results discussed feature issues of conflict, borders, and ideologies within each participating teacher rather than between teachers. Unresolved or unacknowledged intrapersonal conflict might lead to interpersonal conflict of the type that does not enrich collaborative efforts. Findings from this study reveal that participating teachers did experience intrapersonal conflicts that fit within Achinstein’s micropolitical framework. These intrapersonal conflicts were not regarded as aberrant or pathological behavior, but as a natural effect of collaboration and growth.

Keywords

• Collaboration
• computer mediated instruction
• intrapersonal conflict
• micropolitical theory
• professional development