Teachers’ action research…

I sent this email to the teachers at my school…

Hi All

In the past we have had successful voluntary learning groups in areas such as visible thinking, differentiated learning, global education and integrating technology.

Teachers often feel that there are so many ‘things’, it is difficult to integrate everything. Some of us have talked before about ways to ‘connect the dots’. I think our learning principles can help pull things together.

I’d like to start a new voluntary group, based on the Inquiry Circle I saw in New York during the holidays… in our own style.

My vision of it looks like this:

(Open, of course, to ideas, suggestions, modifications, negotiations!)

Meet fortnightly for an hour before school and…

• Revisit and unpack our learning principles.
• Each teacher choose an area for their own ‘action research‘ based on one (or more) of the learning principles.
• Create an ‘action research question’. This question usually develops and changes as the exploration unfolds.
• Decide on a course of action and/or specific approaches you plan to try.
• Feed back to the group and reflect individually and collaboratively on what you’ve tried and how you might proceed.
• Possible readings to enhance and support learning.
• Possible Skype ins from educators in other places exploring similar issues.
• Group discussions to help ‘connect the dots’.
• Optional shared reporting and reflection in an online space.

Example questions for action research…

#1 Question: How might we best arrange furniture and set up the classroom to promote learning?

Area of interest: Learning space

Learning principles:

• Learning is active and social and is enhanced by collaboration and interaction.
• We learn in different ways, depending on abilities, learning styles, preferences and interests.

#2 Question:

How can technology support differentiated learning opportunities?

Area of interest: Integrating technology

Learning principles:

• We learn in different ways, depending on abilities, learning styles, preferences and interests.
• Learning needs to be challenging, meaningful, purposeful and engaging.

Simple Action Research model:

Stephen Kemmis

Let me know if you’re interested in joining such an Inquiry Circle and we can take it from there…

Edna

I re-read the email before I sent it and had second thoughts… 

• Maybe I don’t know enough about action research. In a recent Twitter chat, I got the impression it HAS to be done a certain way. (Who says?)
• Maybe everyone’s busy and no-one will respond. (So what?)
• Maybe an hour won’t be long enough? (Oh well.)

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Post Script:

Six people are in!

MY action research:

Question: How can we create new models of professional learning in our school that help build our learning community, while embedding our learning principles in our practice?

Area of interest: Teacher professional learning.

Learning principles: All!

• We learn in different ways, depending on abilities, learning styles, preferences and interests.
• Learning takes place through inquiry: questioning, exploring, experimenting and problem solving.
• Learning occurs by acquiring skills and knowledge, constructing meaning and transfer to other contexts.
• Learning is active and social and best takes place through collaboration and interaction.
• Learning takes place when we feel secure, valued and are able to take risks.
• Learning needs to be challenging, meaningful, purposeful and engaging.
• Learning includes meta-cognition and reflection, and requires learners to take ownership of their learning.

Suggestions, tips and ideas invited!