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“I don’t have enough time” ‐ Teachers’ interpretations of time as a key to learning and school change

Vivienne Collinson (Michigan State University, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, USA)
Tanya Fedoruk Cook (Bethesda, Maryland, USA)

Journal of Educational Administration

ISSN: 0957-8234

Article publication date: 1 June 2001

4246

Abstract

Time is one of the greatest constraints to any change process. However, finding more time for teachers by reallocating time within a fixed schedule has not brought about desired reforms. This article, based on a qualitative study that explored teachers’ interpretations of time, indicates that the concept of time is more complex and dynamic than the literature implies. It elaborates and illustrates nine aspects of time that teachers in a middle school instructional technology project identified as barriers to the dissemination of learning among colleagues. The article argues that understanding what teachers mean when they say “I don’t have enough time” is a critical first step in avoiding misdirected administrative effort. It also offers suggestions for rethinking time in ways that encourage meaningful teacher participation in individual and organizational learning.

Keywords

Citation

Collinson, V. and Fedoruk Cook, T. (2001), "“I don’t have enough time” ‐ Teachers’ interpretations of time as a key to learning and school change", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 39 No. 3, pp. 266-281. https://doi.org/10.1108/09578230110392884

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited

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