Communal-Photosynthesis Metaphor: Autobiographical Action-Research Journeys and Heuristic-Action-Learning Frameworks of Living Educational Theories

Authors

  • Emmanuel Nii Ayikwei Tetteh Emmanuel N. A. Tetteh, PHD, MSA, BPS Faculty, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management & Leadership Programs School of Public Service Leadership Capella University, 225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402 1.888.CAPELLA ext. 8420 or 1.612.372.8420 (Eastern Standard Time) Emmanuel.Tetteh@Capella.edu

Keywords:

Action Learning, Action Research, collaborative inquiry, communal photosynthesis metaphor, creative-reflective methodology, living educational theory, Participatory Action Research

Abstract

This article provides a creative analysis of reflective thought processes grounded in the systemic thinking of an autobiographical account of action-research journeys from the context of action-learning experiences that led to the discovery of the communal-photosynthesis (CP) metaphor. Reflection on the action-learning and action-research (ALAR) experiences, as well as the means by which subsequent heuristic action-learning discoveries unravelled the usefulness of the CP metaphor to account for service-learning experiences, are explored. The CP metaphor usefulness is henceforth explored as a creative-reflective framework for the facilitation of collaborative inquiry in developing a living educational theory of the ALAR model. This article is thus a “creative-reflective methodology” of a participatory action research (PAR) framework for sense making that can account for people’s collective ALAR experiences. The usefulness of source domains of cyclical metaphors corresponding to the action-intention domains of PAR cycles is provided as a collaborative ALAR framework to foster knowledge production of living educational theories of practice.

Author Biography

Emmanuel Nii Ayikwei Tetteh, Emmanuel N. A. Tetteh, PHD, MSA, BPS Faculty, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management & Leadership Programs School of Public Service Leadership Capella University, 225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402 1.888.CAPELLA ext. 8420 or 1.612.372.8420 (Eastern Standard Time) Emmanuel.Tetteh@Capella.edu

Dr. Emmanuel Tetteh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a Master’s degree in Administration from Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY), and a Ph.D. degree in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. He has a vast range of professional experience, ranging from community service, faith-based initiatives, nonprofit management, higher education administrative services, and teaching-learning facilitation for adult learners from diverse backgrounds via face-to-face and online learning platforms. He is a faculty member of the Public Administration and Nonprofit Leadership program, teaching the Participatory Action Research and Program Evaluation course and mentoring doctoral candidates in the School of Public Service Leadership at Capella University. He is also an adjunct professor at MCNY, The College of New Rochelle, and Norwich University, as well as founder/president and director of the Center for Communal Photosynthesis Research, Inc. Also, at the 2013 Action Learning, Action Research Association (ALARA) national conference in Brisbane, Australia, he was unanimously elected as the International Vice President of ALARA.

Published

2015-08-31

How to Cite

Tetteh, E. N. A. (2015). Communal-Photosynthesis Metaphor: Autobiographical Action-Research Journeys and Heuristic-Action-Learning Frameworks of Living Educational Theories. Action Learning and Action Research Journal, 21(1). Retrieved from https://alarj.alarassociation.org/index.php/alarj/article/view/138