Lecture on Teaching as a Craft and Action Research

Teaching as a Craft

• Teaching combines both art and science.
• Great teachers experiment and make mistakes.
• Important to understand what methods are effective in teaching.

Action Research

• A method to determine what works in teaching.
• Involves identifying a question, testing a strategy, gathering data, and analyzing the results.
• Results in dynamic, innovative outcomes directly tied to the classroom.
• Breaks down the barrier between participants and researchers:
  • Teacher is both participant and researcher.

Action Research Frameworks

• Generally follow a similar process:

Phase One: Planning for Research

1. Inquiry
   • Define a specific research question that is testable.
2. Literature Review
   • Gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
3. Design Process
   • Determine data collection methods.
   • Consider ethical issues.
   • Obtain necessary permissions.
   • Set deadlines and establish systems.

Action Phase

• Engage in cycles of experimentation and data collection.
• Data Collection Methods
  • Qualitative Data: Observations, artifacts, interviews.
  • Quantitative Data: Rubric scores, surveys, achievement data.

Analysis

• Organize data using charts, graphs.
• Look for trends.
• Discuss findings with peers.
• Methods for analysis can include:
  • Free writing in journals.
  • Creating cluster maps.
  • Writing out results.

Conclusion

• Share research findings with the broader community.
• Reflect on personal teaching practice.
• Leads to new questions and continues the action research cycle.
• Aims to refine teaching skills for better, more creative outcomes.