Course Schedule
Action Research: Becoming Deliberate

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Date

Class

Topics

Readings

Assignment Due

TBA #1

Introduction to the Course

What is research?

Ice Breaker

 

Stenhouse (1981). What Counts as Research?

Eisner (1981). On the differneces between scientific and artistic approaches to qualitative research?

NONE

  #2

What is Action Research?

What is the nature of Action Research?

Choosing of critical friends

 

Action Research: Who? Why? How? So What?

Teacher-As-Researcher. ERIC Digest.

A beginner's guide to action research

Altrichter, Posch, & Somekh (1993). Chapter 1.

Kemmis & McTaggart (2000). Participatory Action Research (note this one is a bit heavy, if you have time read it after you have read the other readings first)

Letter of issues/questions/problems

Some Ideas

  #3

Research Tools

Notebook and Journal writing

Altrichter et. al. Ch. 2

Cochran-Smith, & Lytle (1993). Chapter 6: Journals

Marshall (2001). Self-reflective Inquiry practices

Holly (1989). Reflective writing and the spirit of inquiry

Memos to myself

Example of a Teacher Journal

Sometime during this week meet with me to discuss your ideas in more detail.

 
  #4

The nature of action research and finding a starting point for research.

 

Altrichter et. al. Ch. 3 and Ch. 4

Calhoun (1994). Ch 2, 3, 4. If you are conducting a single classroom research study then you can probably skip chapter 3 for the time being.

Cochran-Smith, M. and Lytle, S. (1993) Chs. 1 and 2.

Cook (1998). The importance of mess in action reseach.

Refined Research Study Proposal due. I will get feedback to you so you can present your study to the class during next weeks class.

Example

 

  #5

The nature of action research

What is valid research?

Feldman & Minstrell (2000). Action research as a research methodology for the study of the teaching and learning of science.

McMahon (1999). Is refletive practice synonymous with action research?

Leitch & Day (2000). Action research and reflective practice towards a holistic view.

Tickle (1995). Testing for quality in educational action research: A terrifying taxonomy?

Robertson (2000). The three Rs of Action Research Methodology: reciprocity, reflexivity and reflection-on-reality

Presentation of your study to the class for feedback
  #6 Doing Action Research: Data Collection. What data do I collect and why?

Ball, D. L. (2000). Working on the inside: Using one's own practice as a site for studying teaching and learning.

Altrichter, et al. (1993). Ch. 5

Calhoun (1994). Ch. 5

Zeni (1998). A guide to ethical issues and action research

NONE
  #7

I have my data, now what?

Data Analysis and Data Organization

Altrichter, et al. (1993). Ch. 6

Calhoun (1994). Ch. 6, 7

Discussion about Article

Article critique due
  #8 Work time on your project, conduct literature search, library time, writing time, etc... Work on your project. Meet with the instructor or your critical friend NONE
  #9 How does action research inform theory and practice?

Lather, P. (1986). Research as Praxis

Stringer (1999). Chapter 9

Altrichter, Posch, & Somekh (1993). Chapter 9

Lincoln, (2001). Engaging sympahties: Relationships between action research and Social Constructivism

E-mail report due concerning progress
  #10 How does action research inform theory and pratice?II

Kemmis (2001). Exploring the relevance of critical theory for action research.

Gaventa & Cornwall (2001). Power and Knowledge.

Gustavson (2001). Theory and Practice: the Mediating discourse.

NONE
  #11 Writing of the Action Research Report

Stringer (1999). Ch. 8

Gall, Gall, & Borg (1999) Ch. 15. This chapter as two good examples of action research reports.

 
  #12 Work time on your project, research, library time, etc... Meet time with the instructor or work on your report E-mail report on your progess due prior to class
  #13 Moving Research findings into practice

Altrichter, et al. (1993). Ch. 6 & 7

Schön (1983) Ch 2

Calhoun (1994). Ch. 8

Feldman & Atkin (1995). Embedding Action Research in Professional Practice

 
  #14   Presentation of Research  
  #15   Presentation of Research Final Paper due

 

Readings | Assignments | Schedule | Web Resources | Home