Theory and practice mediation and continuing training

possibilities in pandemic times

Abstract

Since its inception, in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about several challenges in everyday life. In the field of education it was no different, as educators needed to rethink broader concepts of continuing education. In this context, the study seeks to analyze the challenges and possibilities for the continuing education of education professionals from the perspective of collaborative-critical self-reflection. For this, it is based on the theory of Jürgen Habermas through two conceptions: communicative rationality and theory and praxis mediation. In this process, we take the arguments of the professionals participating in the study-reflection group based on their demands, learning processes and change actions. Actions and analyzes dialogue and sustain themselves between the theoretical-methodological references underlying the processes, contemplating the application of the self-reflexive spiral of observation, planning, action and reflection and the outlining and theorization of the mediating functions in the relationship between theory and practice, namely: elaboration / formation of critical theorems; organization of awareness and learning processes; and the conduct of the political struggle, selection of appropriate strategies and resolution of tactical issues, these categories being the way in which the data were organized. As a result, we observed new possibilities for continuing education, encompassing more graduates and expanding collaboration between researchers, in addition to the intention of trainees/students to change or transform their practices into effective actions in their locus of action.