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Method

20 April, 2016 - 16:59

In this conceptual study, our focus is on EE teachers’ conceptions of entrepreneurship and education. The aim of the study is to clarify the ontological factors that explain the confusion EE teachers face in conceiving entrepreneurship and the methods used to teach it. In addition, we aim to depict a coherent model of ontological aspects that explicitly looks at both theoretical entities of EE: entrepreneurship and education as EE teachers’ conceptions of EE can be expected to be influenced by their conceptions of entrepreneurship and education. Because there is no shared understanding to conceptualize EE, we aim to describe EE as an integration of two domains: entrepreneurship and education.

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Figure 13.1 The components of EE teachers’ ontological conception of EE when EE is viewed as an integration of entrepreneurship and education 

To analyze a potential ontological mismatch in EE teachers’ conceptions between entrepreneurship and education, we first review scientific journal articles, project reports, and official European and national documents discussing EE. We then compare our findings with the feedback we have received from EE teachers at primary, secondary, and tertiary educational levels, as well as with our own personal experiences. We also juxtapose the ontological perspectives of entrepreneurship and education. Combining conceptual reasoning and empirical observations enables fruitful interplay between theory and practice. Therefore, our methodological approach follows the reflective practice described in 1, 2.