How does engagement in teacher inquiry differ from traditional models of educational research, and how does this difference compare with your initial interpretation of action research?
Traditional models of educational research have tended to view teachers and students as passive subjects in the educational process. The process-product model "portrays teaching as a primarily linear activity and depicts teachers as technicians... [In the model,] the teacher's role is to implement the research findings of 'outside' experts, almost exclusively university researchers, who are considered alien to the everyday happenings in classrooms" (Dana, n.d., 2). Today, teachers are increasingly called upon to make a personal investment in educational research and can have an active role in shaping its course. "In general, the teacher inquiry movement focuses on the concerns of teachers (not outside researchers) and engages teachers in the design, data collection, and interpretation of data around their question" (Dana, n.d., 4). The teacher inquiry model is also an improvement on anecdotal, qualitative designs, where little empirical data was elicited from teachers. Results of research based in the teacher inquiry model can be generalized to other contexts because they are data-driven, but they also offer personal interpretation from teachers in the field. What are some common assumptions the general public holds about teaching and learning that you would like to see challenged? How can
Practitioner inquiry advances student learning by improving teaching practice. Improving teaching practice is crucial, as the quality of teaching is “the most significant within-school factor influencing pupil performance” (Darling-Hammond et al., 2005, Hattie, 2009, McKinsey & Co., 2007, all cited in Menter, Elliot, Hulme, Lewin & Lowden 2011, p.14). Without disciplined examination, lessons from teaching experiences can pass by unnoticed (Shulman, 2005, cited in Menter et al, 2011, p.19). Inquiry helps teachers improve the quality of their teaching by focussing reflections on specific questions, giving teachers an opportunity to understand their practice better, evaluate its effectiveness and identify alternatives or improvements (McLaughin, Hawkins, McIntyre, 2004, cited by General Teaching Council for Scotland, 2016). Inquiry encourages the sort of reflective practice that may lead to a more formalised and systemic inquiry based around research questions (Menter et al, 2011). As such, practitioner inquiry allows teachers to drive their own processional learning.
The differences were connected with a teacher’s original preparation for the teaching profession, licensing in the particular subject area to be taught, strength of the educational experience, and the degree of experience in teaching along with the demonstration of abilities through the National Board Certification, in which all of these facets can be addressed through policy (Darling-Hammond, 2010).America has not produced a national method containing supports and reasons to guarantee that teachers’ are adequately prepared and equipped to teach all children effectively when they first enter into the career of teaching. America also does not have a vast collection of methods available that will maintain the evaluation and continuing development of a teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom, or support decisions about entry into the field of teaching and the continuance in the profession of teaching (Darling-Hammond, 2010). n order to reach the belief that all students will be taught and learn to high standards calls for a makeover in the methods our system of education in order to be a magnet for, train, support or uphold, and cultivate effective teachers in more efficient ways. A makeover that is contingent in a certain degree of how the abilities or skills are comprehended (Darling-Hammond, 2010).In the last few years there has been increasing
Facilitating a foundation in academic or philosophical pedagogy can help form a path for the educator, a path to better understanding teaching, education, learning and learners. Often, most of the programs designed for learners and the curriculum is often derived from theories. Understanding theories can help guide a teacher through their education journey. Sometimes, teachers may struggle with classroom organisation or implementing the curriculum in a considerate, all-encompassing and engaging way, especially if you are a CRT or Graduate Teacher - and often these concepts can help inspire and encourage teachers. To be an empowered teacher means your classroom and students will be empowered learners, and that is the best type of learning. There are many theories that have contributed to education as a body and has many of these theories help educational departments plan curriculums to benefit not only teachers but also all students. What makes for a great teacher is considering the characteristics of the local community as well involving students’ families’ in the school body. Influences that help shape a teacher’s identity can include…
In Admiraal et al. (2016)’s article, four teachers participated in the study and they reported that through conducting their research, they were able to take diverse perspectives on teaching, think of alternative solutions to address the issues, thoroughly reflect on their teaching and their colleagues’ teaching (Admiraal et al., 2016). By researching and reading the literature that is relevant to their topics, these teachers mentioned that they use the findings of the educational research to inform and shape their practices by analysing and translating the research findings to pedagogical practice, and assess the effectiveness of new ways of teaching (Admiraal et al., 2016). Furthermore, Admiraal et al. (2016) proposed suggestions to close the gap between educational research and teachers’ pedagogical practice by offering more opportunities for collaborations between researchers and practitioners, and encouraging teachers to embark academic
Teacher questions and student responses: the types of questions teachers asked during a lesson and the way students responded.
Based on my prior knowledge and this week’s resource, I see a little clear why action research can help me address the needs of my students better. This week I have learned the difference between action research/teacher inquiry and education traditional research. Also, I have learned the relationship between action research and teacher professional growth and decision making. Last, I have been able to see what teacher inquiry/action research look like, how they are similar and different.
Teacher education is enhanced by using teachers as researchers. Teachers, who do research, can provide information on student interaction and classroom environments, and have a broad sampling field due to the amount of time spent in scholastic settings. This kind of action research allows a teacher to share with others what she/he has learned. It also offers to them, foundations for decisions regarding appropriate interventions and outcomes for improving students’ education or literacy within their classroom or school. When a teacher/researcher collects data for the purpose of research, they will mostly likely use a qualitative method (Johnson, 2008). Within this research, data is collected through observations and the answering of questions that relate to the data. Using this method, questions are more open ended and less defined, so there is more room for researchers to collect a variety of data. There are many ways that data can be collected for research purposes such as, the use of rubrics, student profiles, logs, and observation records that may consist of anecdotal records, checklists, reflections, conferences, interviews, and surveys. During my CIRG 621 my action research was based around Math. Although these courses are geared toward Reading Language arts I wanted to improve my student’s math scores and my ability to
Research is defined as a ‘systematic, critical and self-critical enquiry that aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge’ (Stenhouse cited by Grigg, 2015). Critics argue that professional enquiry in the teaching industry is lacking in teachers using action research on a regular basis, which ultimately would improve the quality of teaching (Burgess cited by Grigg, 2015). However, as educational theory is always changing
In the newspaper article by author: Sara Drumm, “Protests outside School Board”. There is debate surrounding the issues teachers face throughout every school. Many Americans fail to realize that teaching is no easy task and that it takes full dedication as well as unique skills to teach, while masterfully controlling and executing a classroom.
There are also a number of theoretical issues to consider when researching teachers. The issue of teachers behaving uncharacteristically because they have an observer in the classroom has already been discussed. In addition to this, any teaching staff who take part may have been selected by senior members of staff to show the school in the best possible light. This would make the findings unrepresentative and would mean that the findings would not be able to be generalised to other educational settings.
Teaching research was directed toward authentic pedagogy, engaged teaching, empowering teachers and administrators, assessment models, accountability, and teaching for
Throughout this last semester, I have been student teaching at Shawswick Middle School where I was able to take a critical look at myself as an educator. Though the teacher and I did not see eye to eye, this disagreement helped me to better form my own pedagogical beliefs and establish confidence in myself as an educator.
Effective teachers are aware of different learning theories that influence classroom practice on a daily basis. According to Pritchard (2014), teachers must have an understanding
As a student in the Education Department at Saint Mary’s College, I have been assigned a set of eight standards to fulfill before graduation. Having these standards guides all students in becoming the necessary well-rounded teacher candidates needed to go into the field of education and ultimately becoming a successful teacher in the future. Each standard relates to a different area, including having a broad and comprehensive understanding of learning processes, the professional environment, and content. Throughout the last two years, I have had a number of opportunities, both in the field and in my classes at Saint Mary’s, to meet these eight standards.
METHOD The study is descriptive, qualitative research on teachers as they attempted to meet new standards. Specifically it is a case study of an elementary school faculty, done in an attempt to