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Kathleen Fite, Professor Barbara H. Davis, Associate Professor Texas State University-San Marcos

Using Action Research as a Reflective Strategy for Enhancing Present and Future Teaching and Learning. ACEI Annual International Conference Atlanta, Georgia March 28, 2008. Kathleen Fite, Professor Barbara H. Davis, Associate Professor Texas State University-San Marcos

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Kathleen Fite, Professor Barbara H. Davis, Associate Professor Texas State University-San Marcos

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  1. Using Action Research as a Reflective Strategy for Enhancing Present and Future Teaching and Learning ACEI Annual International Conference Atlanta, Georgia March 28, 2008 Kathleen Fite, Professor Barbara H. Davis, Associate Professor Texas State University-San Marcos Kimberly Higdon, Assistant Professor St. Leo University, Tampa, Florida

  2. Teacher Research Definition “Systematic, intentional inquiry by teachers about their own school and classroom work.” (Cochran-Smith & Lytle, 1993)

  3. Teacher Research • Systematic: ordered ways of gathering and recording information, documenting experiences inside and outside of classrooms, and making some kind of record • Intentional: teacher research is an activity that is planned, not spontaneous • Inquiry: teacher research stems from or generates questions and reflects teachers’ desires to make sense of their experience

  4. Objectives of Teacher Research in an Induction Program • To help novice teachers develop research skills that can improve teaching and learning in their classrooms • To help novice teachers develop a research knowledge base including use of a variety of online resources • To help novice teachers become proactive problem-solvers with a disposition toward action research • To model the use of authentic project work, constructivist learning theory and alternative assessment strategies

  5. Teacher Research Timeline Fall semester: CI 5390 “Research Seminar” • Keep dialogue journal with Exchange Teacher • Identify an issue or problem to study • Gather and review related literature • Develop a plan of action for conducting teacher research project • Write a proposal for action research project

  6. Teacher Research Timeline Spring Semester: CI 5306 “Evaluative Techniques” • Implement teacher research project • Keep a research journal • Collect data • Analyze data • Present work-in-progress during portfolio presentation • Share completed project with colleagues and university faculty in a poster-session format Optional Elective: Summer II: RDG 5380 “Writing Up Action Research”

  7. Teacher Research Topics

  8. Novice Teacher Research Sample Picture Dictionaries, Rubber Bands, and Bubblegum: A Novice Teacher Helps Kindergartners Learn to Write Independentlyby Nora Cox • Research Questions • What are developmentally appropriate writing practices for kindergartners? • How can I teach my students to use strategies to write independently during writer’s workshop? • What resources can kindergarten students successfully use without teacher assistance during writer’s workshop? • How can students help one another write?

  9. Research Methods • Six week study in kindergarten classroom (20 students) • Six students were targeted for closer observation • Purposive subsample was based on students’ 2nd Nine Weeks Language Arts assessment • Conducted explicit teaching of self-help writing strategies during six week study

  10. Mini-Lessons Using the word wall Using an alphabet strip Using a sound card Using a picture dictionary Asking a friend Using print around the room Do I know another word that sounds like this? Rubber band spelling Bubblegum spelling Arm spelling Using sound boxes What to do if you run out of room What to do if you finish Write about what you know Small moments (write about yourself) Stretching words out Did I use finger spaces? Did I use a sentence stopper? Did I start with a capital letter? Can I add more details?

  11. Data Collection • Student Interviews • Checklists • Teacher-Research Journal • Students’ Writing Journal

  12. Findings Students became more proficient at using writing strategies on own and with peers.

  13. Findings • More students completed writing during writer’s workshop • All target students’ improved writing performance • Students’ confidence in writing increased

  14. Findings Teacher research assists new teachers in: • Becoming more effective problem solvers • Enhancing a reflective disposition toward teaching practices • Building self-confidence in teaching abilities • Becoming more systematic observers which leads to improved instruction and better student performance • Projecting goals for continued research • Connecting theory with practice

  15. “Inquiry from the beginning is not only a good idea, but a doable one.” Dr. Thomas J. Sergiovanni • Source: Voices of Inquiry by Thomas Poetter

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