The ‘dilemma of authority’ in the 21st Century : A critical discourse analysis of a student attendance and engagement data monitoring policy at a UK university.

Roberts, Ruth (2023) The ‘dilemma of authority’ in the 21st Century : A critical discourse analysis of a student attendance and engagement data monitoring policy at a UK university. Critical Education, 14 (2). pp. 46-64.

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Abstract

Drawing on Fairclough’s Dialectical-Relational Approach the paper offers a critical discourse analysis of documents relating to the introduction of predictive learning analytics at a UK university. It is concerned with the semiotic realisation of strategies of pathologisation and responsibilisation in Higher Education responses to widening participation. Authority discourses in institutional texts indicate an ambivalent attitude to students that fluctuates between different discourses, two of which are identified as the ‘Here to help’ and ‘Over to you’ discourses. The paper posits a new discursive positioning for students as ‘assets’ rather than learners, partners or clients. At the micro level, the ‘Concerned tutor’ discourse indicates a diminished authority position for academics which parallels the responsibilization of personal tutors in ensuring student success and engagement. The discursive ambivalence suggests that institutions need to maintain ethical vigilance when introducing learning analytics policies in order to maintain stated institutional values of partnership and justice.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Critical Education
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Research Output Funding/no_not_funded
Subjects:
?? widening participationstudent engagementlearning analyticsethicshigher educationno - not funded ??
ID Code:
192656
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
09 May 2023 13:45
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 23:47