Teachers Doing Research: The Power of Action Through Inquiry

by Burnaford; Gail E.

• ISBN13: 9780805835892
• ISBN10: 080583589X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2000-11-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This popular text describes the processes of doing teacher action research. But it is much more than a dry presentation of "methods." Filled with examples of teacher action research projects, provided by teachers themselves, the book places teachers at the heart of the action research process. Teachers' own writing about their work and research questions is featured in 11 examples of teacher action research conducted in a range of settings, grade levels, and content areas. The second edition of Teachers Doing Research is fully updated and substantially reorganized and revised, including four totally new chapters and six new teacher stories. This edition: *provides more specifics on teacher action research processes and a variety of methodological options for teachers who do research in their classrooms and schools (Chapters 1-5); *includes more specifics on data collection and interpretation methods (Chapter 3); *balances a detailed introduction to technology for novice researchers with discussion of issues and questions related to technology-based teacher research (Chapter 4). Information on Web sites related to topics addressed in the chapters and teacher research stories is integrated throughout the book. A new Teachers Doing Research Web site (www.teachersdoingresearch.com) invites readers, teacher research participants, preservice candidates, and teacher educators to participate in dialogue with the authors and editors of this text, and with each other; *gives expanded attention to teacher action research with preservice teachers and to university/school collaboration (especially in Chapter 6); *examines the connections between teacher action research and the larger arena of educational research (Chapter 8); *broadens the context for teacher action research, through discussion of its influence on school reform both in the United States and internationally. International examples of urban teacher research are included (Chapter 9); and *offers new In Practice sections to engage readers in opportunities to respond to what they are reading and to try out related activities.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
About the Contributors	xvii
Introduction	1	(6)
PART I: WAYS OF DOING TEACHER ACTION RESEARCH
Action and Reflection: Narrative and Journaling in Teacher Research	7	(22)
David Hobson
One Starts With Oneself	7	(6)
Autobiographical Narrative (Telling Stories)	13	(4)
Journal Keeping	17	(9)
References	26	(3)
Action Research Rationale and Planning: Developing a Framework for Teacher Inquiry	29	(20)
Joseph C. Fischer
Reflections on Teaching as a Basis for Research	30	(3)
Beginning With Observations and Interests: Finding Reasons for Doing Research	33	(5)
Selecting a Topic and Developing Research Questions	38	(2)
Type of Research Questions	40	(2)
Research Planning: A Dynamic Process	42	(4)
Conclusions	46	(2)
References	48	(1)
Teachers' Work: Methods for Researching Teaching	49	(34)
Gail Burnaford
Methods for Collecting Information In and Through Teaching	50	(5)
Planning a Research Study	55	(2)
Observational Data Collection Methods: What Do I See?	57	(5)
Nonobservational Data Collection Methods: What Do I Need to Know That I Can't Always See?	62	(5)
Methods for Interpreting Information: What Does It Mean?	67	(3)
How Trustworthy Is This Work?	70	(1)
Can Teacher Research Be Reliable?	71	(1)
Curriculum Invented in the Classroom--With Students	71	(9)
Web Sites	80	(1)
Listserves for Educational Researchers	80	(1)
References	80	(3)
Teacher Researchers Go Online	83	(90)
David Hobson
Louanne Smolin
This Book Goes Online	83	(1)
Teachers and Technology: Gaps in Personal and Professional Use	84	(1)
The Digital Divide: Technology Access for Some?	85	(2)
Using Technology for Teacher Research	87	(1)
Beginning With the Self: Journal Keeping Goes Online	88	(3)
Learning With Each Other: Collaboration Online	91	(11)
Research Shaping Technology: One Researcher's Experience	102	(6)
Publishing Teacher Research in Hard Copy or Online	108	(2)
Infusing Technology in Teacher Research	110	(2)
Teachers Connecting Technology, Teaching, and Research	112	(2)
Internet Resources Supporting Teacher Research	114	(2)
References	116	(5)
In Practice---Part I	119	(2)
Teachers Doing Research
Discovering the Real Learner Within: Journal Keeping With Second-Grade Children	121	(8)
Nancy Brankis
Researching and Implementing Journals in Classrooms	122	(6)
References	128	(1)
Overcoming Paradigm Paralysis: A High School Teacher Revisits Foreign Language Education	129	(14)
Emmerich Koller
A New Beginning	129	(2)
A Monster Within Us	131	(1)
The Old Approach	131	(1)
``Accelerated Learning'': The New Approach	132	(1)
A Paradigm Pioneer	133	(1)
Putting Theory Into Practice	134	(4)
Schnupf Die Schnecke	138	(1)
Conclusion	138	(3)
References	141	(1)
Related Readings	141	(2)
Racing to Research: Inquiry in Middle School Industrial Arts	143	(8)
Wallace Shilkus
Industrial Arts and Teacher Research	143	(1)
Race Cars and the Multiple Intelligences	144	(2)
Tutoring: Veterans and Rookies in Racing	146	(1)
Adult Students as Rookie Racers	147	(2)
Web Site	149	(1)
References	149	(2)
The Personal and the Professional: Learning About Gender in Middle School Physical Education	151	(6)
Rick Moon
The Reasons for My Research	151	(2)
Taking Action	153	(2)
Further Reflections	155	(1)
Final Thoughts	156	(1)
References	156	(1)
Laptops: Language Arts for Students With Learning Disabilities: An Action Research Curriculum Development Project	157	(16)
Martha C. Stephens
Curriculum Perspectives and Theoretical Framework	158	(1)
Methods of Inquiry	159	(1)
Factors Shaping the Curriculum Development Project	160	(6)
Stephen's Story	166	(1)
Conclusions	167	(2)
Web Sites	169	(1)
References	169	(4)
PART II: SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS
Learning With Each Other: Collaboration in Teacher Research	173	(20)
David Hobson
Teaching: An Isolating Profession	174	(1)
Teachers Want to Collaborate	175	(2)
Group Building: Learning to Work Together	177	(3)
Listening and Responding to Other Teacher Researchers	180	(6)
Collaboration in the Classroom: Co-Researching With Students	186	(4)
References	190	(3)
School and University Teacher Action Research: Maintaining the Personal in the Public Context	193	(28)
Gail Burnaford
The Personal in the Public Context: Is Personal Change Enough?	193	(3)
School-Based Models for Teacher Action Research: Potential and Purpose Made Public	196	(3)
Sustaining and Supporting Teacher Action Research in Schools	199	(2)
Leadership for Teacher Action Research in Schools	201	(3)
Partnering With the University: Teacher Researchers Join the Dialogue	204	(5)
Preservice Teachers Doing Teacher Research	209	(2)
Teacher Action Research Models for Preservice Teachers	211	(2)
Presenting and Publishing as Preservice Teachers: Valuing What Novice Teachers Know	213	(2)
Personal Teacher Research in the Public Context	215	(1)
Web Sites	216	(1)
References	216	(3)
Appendix A: The Practitioner Inquiry Series	219	(2)
Marilyn Cochran-Smith
Susan L. Lytle
Teacher Action Research and Professional Development: Foundations for Educational Renewal	221	(108)
Linda S. Tafel
Joseph C. Fischer
Building Schools of Inquiry: A Central Focus of Educational Renewal	223	(2)
Reflection and Renewal: One Teacher Researcher's Inquiry	225	(4)
Teachers' Visions of Professional Development and Teacher Research	229	(4)
From Stories to Research: Educational Renewal Through Professional Development	233	(2)
References	235	(4)
In Practice---Part II	237	(2)
Teachers Doing Research
When the Mountain and Mohammed Meet: Teachers and University Projects--A Model for Effective Research Collaboration	239	(14)
Judith Lachance Whitcomb
What Was	239	(3)
What Happened	242	(6)
Was the Collaboration Successful?	248	(1)
What Made It Work?	249	(1)
Web Sites	250	(1)
References	251	(2)
Shifting Gears: An Urban Teacher Rethinks Her Practice	253	(8)
Vida Schaffel
References	260	(1)
Piecing Our Past Through Artistic Inquiry: Students and Teachers as Co-Researchers in an Urban Elementary School	261	(14)
Jackie Samuel
Susan Sheldon
A First-Year Teacher Speaks	261	(1)
An Artist Speaks	262	(1)
Designing Curriculum: Students and Teachers as Co-Researchers	263	(1)
Getting Started: Teacher and Student Brainstorming	264	(2)
The Field Trip to the Art Institute of Chicago	266	(1)
Interviewing: A Part of the Research	266	(2)
Family Trees and Stories: Making a Family Album	268	(1)
Creating the Quilt	269	(1)
Expanding the Project to the World: The Personal Connection to History	270	(3)
Web Sites	273	(1)
Resources for Teachers and Artists	274	(1)
Leading a School-Based Study Group: My Personal Path to Renewal	275	(20)
Kelli Visconti
Fall 1997	276	(1)
Our First Meeting	277	(1)
Keeping the Staff and Administration Informed	278	(1)
Overcoming Obstacles as a Leader	278	(1)
The Value of Teacher Research	279	(1)
Presenting Our Research	280	(1)
Feedback From Group Members	280	(1)
Goals for the Future of This Group	281	(1)
Speaking at AERA	282	(1)
Release Time For Research	283	(1)
Final Thoughts	283	(1)
Acknowledgment	284	(1)
Reference	284	(1)
Appendixes	284	(11)
Three Contexts for Exploring Teacher Research: Lessons about Trust, Power, and Risk	295	(12)
Nancy Hubbard
Trusting in Students' Abilities---Can I Let Them Be in Charge of Their Own Learning?	295	(3)
Giving Up Power--Can I Allow Students to Empower Themselves?	298	(5)
Taking a Risk--How Will I Survive Being a First-Year Teacher for the Second Time?	303	(2)
Web Sites	305	(1)
References	306	(1)
The Action Research Laboratory as a Vehicle for School Change	307	(22)
Joseph C. Sense
Goals of the Program	308	(1)
Program Description	309	(1)
A Constructivist Approach to Professional Development	310	(1)
Deep Target Outcomes	311	(2)
Developing Points of View About Systems in School	313	(2)
Acquiring Perceptions of Teaching as a True Profession	315	(2)
Influencing Education Beyond the School Doors	317	(1)
Garnering Support for Action Research	318	(1)
Expanding Teacher Leadership	319	(3)
A Word of Advice	322	(1)
References	323	(1)
Appendixes	323	(6)
PART III: THE LARGER ARENA
How Does It Matter? Teacher Inquiry in the Traditions of Social Science Research	329	(16)
Susan Jungck
The Paradox of Teacher Research: Is It Real? How Does It Matter?	334	(4)
Teacher Research	338	(2)
How Methods Matter	340	(3)
Concluding Real Questions	343	(1)
References	343	(2)
Teacher Research and School Reform: Lessons From Chicago, Curitiba, and Santiago	345	(34)
Joseph C. Fischer
Norman Weston
Honoring Teacher Wisdom: Voices From Chicago	348	(5)
Teacher Ownership of School Improvement: Voices From Curitiba and Santiago	353	(6)
Creating Schools for Democratic Living: Voices From Santiago and Curitiba	359	(4)
Conclusions	363	(2)
Web Sites	365	(1)
References	365	(4)
In Practice--Part III	367	(2)
Afterword: The Three P's in Teacher Research: Reflecting on Action Research From Personal, Professional, and Political Perspectives	369	(10)
Owen van den Berg
The Personal Dimension	372	(1)
The Professional Dimension	373	(2)
The Political Dimension	375	(2)
References	377	(2)
Author Index	379	(6)
Subject Index	385