The aim of this dissertation is to analyse students’ experiences in high school from their own perceptions, specifically considering the meaning they attribute to their craft and to school itself. The starting point was simple: how do students feel at school? From that question came others, namely: Is there any coherence between theory (legislation and structural educational documents) and practice (what goes on at school every day)? Do students find meaning in school? How do students live their craft? This study is based on the analysis of narratives written by students from a private school in Porto. Its goal is to give students a voice, while trying to overcome preconceptions and external perceptions of their years of schooling. The data was collected from students’ journals. The instructions the students were given were intentionally vague so as to allow them as much freedom as possible when writing. At the end of the process, fifteen journals were used. The results of the analysis show that much more needs to be done. The neo-institutional obsession with legitimising and certifying through tests and exams alienates students from the purpose, the meaning of school, especially that which can be found in recent documents such as The student’s profile at the end of compulsory education. The present conclusions are but a perspective on the subject matter, hoping that they will open the way to further discussion, analysis and even rebuttal.
Date of Award | 2018 |
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Original language | Portuguese |
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Awarding Institution | - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
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Supervisor | Ilídia Cabral (Supervisor) |
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- Meaning of school
- Students’ voice
- High school
- Student’s craft
- Mestrado em Ciências da Educação
As vivências dos alunos no ensino secundário: o sentido do ofício de aluno
Freixo, N. M. R. (Student). 2018
Student thesis: Master's Thesis