Boyer (1990) model of scholarship is a representation of the idea that the definition of scholarship should be diversified further than its traditional meaning. According to Boyer (1990), the definition of scholarship should be enlarged to encompass not just the research in an academic institution but also the matters beyond the campus, “we believe the time has come to move beyond the tired old “teaching versus research” debate and give the familiar and honorable term “scholarship” a broader, more capacious meaning” (p. 16).It branches the scholarship in four main theories:
The Scholarship of Discovery:
According to Boyer (1990), this theory is very similar to what is considered to be the traditional study, “the scholarship of discovery, comes closest to what is meant when academics speak of “research””(p. 17).Through the means of research, the wealth of human knowledge can increase and reach new heights while also developing the academic environment of the institution. It has been noted that several researches over the years have significantly contributed to the development and expansion of the knowledge base of mankind resulting in astonishing breakthroughs in fields of science and arts.
The Scholarship of Integration
This scholarship discusses the research, which is not done independently, and considers inter disciplinary aspects of the same research. It does not end at the speciality of the research but also integrates other disciplines together to make it broad based. Boyer defines this scholarship as “serious, disciplined work that seeks to interpret, draw together, and bring new insight to bear on original research” (p.19).According to Boyer (1990), it is imperative that the research scholars from different fields communicate among each other and look for “connectedness”, “as the boundaries of human knowledge are being dramatically reshaped, the academy surely must give increased attention to the scholarship of integration” (p. 21).
The Scholarship of Application
This scholarship moves beyond the research and academic aspect and talks about its real-world application. The Scholarship of Application emphasises that the research should not only be contained to the walls of an institution but also venture out into the society in the form of application. “Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Chicago were founded on the principle that higher education must serve the interests of the larger community” (Boyer, 1990, pp. 21-22). According to this theory, the research should not end but also continue to resolve the problems of human society by integrating both the worlds of academics and its application.
The Scholarship of Teaching
Scholarship of Teaching explains that teaching is not only imparting education, but it should also pique interest in the students. According to Boyer (1990), teaching should be able to connect the knowledge of the teacher to the understanding of the students by using the correct examples and images. Teaching also means that even the educators should be able to learn constantly and thus they should be constantly upgrading their knowledge base in order to educate the students.
Relevance of the Boyer (1990) * model of scholarship to Adult and Vocational Education and Training in Australia
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia is a very integral part of the tertiary education system and hence it is of utmost importance that the education is not restricted to the traditional way of research. With the help of the Boyer (1990) model, the education and training can be expanded to encompass a larger role in the society.
As most of the skills taught in the institutes offering Adult and VET are used in society and are beneficial to the overall development of the Australian society, it is important that this model be applied to the VET industry. The model ensures/will also help the VET to ensure that the research done can be inter disciplinary and can also be applied to solve issues within the society while being helpful in the pedagogical enhancement of the education system.
In conclusion, the four scholarship theories are important and relevant to the VET industry also in Australia as they expand the traditional definition of scholarship and create a much larger and broader perspective to the education system and its theories.
References
Boyer, E. L. (1990), Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate, Princeton, NJ: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Retrieved from https://depts.washington.edu/gs630/Spring/Boyer.pdf