4: Praxis: Underpinning Practice with Theory in Professional Learning

The concept of Praxis (Freire, 1970), explored in a different format by Mpofu-­Currie (2015), is key in the development of professional practice. In Higher Education, practitioners and professionals working towards higher qualifications are well placed to draw upon research, legislation, theory and other related literature to critically reflect upon and inform their own practice. For the purpose of this discussion, these will be referred to as professional learners. Coffin et al. (2005) see academic writing as the manifestation of intellectual development, a route into ‘particular disciplinary communities, whose communication norms are the primary means by which academics transmit and evaluate ideas’ (p. 16).