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Practical Action Research for Change
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Practical Action Research for Change

Second Edition

Foreword by Eleanor Perry



June 2006 | 192 pages | Corwin
'This book is a modern catalyst for change in higher education. I have made it required reading for doctoral students, administrators, and faculty who must update their pedagogy to raise student learning' - Joseph Martin Stevenson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Jackson State University

Action research provides a process for educators to individually and collectively study their own situations, try new practices, evaluate those innovations, adjust, and try again.

In this second, revised edition, Richard Schmuck demonstrates how educators at all levels can use action research to improve their professional practice and change the culture of their schools, districts, or communities. He shows how educators, by reflecting on their past, present, and future professional practice, can convert frustrations into solvable problems, and offers guidance about the potential pitfalls and challenges experienced when engaging in action research.

This updated workbook covers both proactive and responsive models of action research and also includes

o Easy-to-understand explanations of methods, steps, and phases

o A chapter devoted to questionnaires, interviews, observations, and public documents

o Guidelines for both solo and cooperative projects

o "How-to" worksheets that guide readers through the process

o Journal-writing activities at the end of every chapter

o Case studies of real action research projects

Practical Action Research for Change is the essential tool for educators to tailor action research to their specific situation and improve professional practice.

 
Foreword
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
1. Reflective Professional Practice
Reflections of the Future, Past, and Present

 
Reflective Educators Seek Self-Knowledge

 
The Search for Self-Knowledge Leads to Solitary Dialogue

 
Self-Knowledge and Solitary Dialogue Lead to Professional Maturity

 
Mature Educators Try to Improve Continually

 
Using the Tools of Reflection to Move Toward Action Research

 
Journal-Writing Assignments

 
 
2. Educators and Continuous Improvement
Three Faces of Continuous Improvement

 
Action Research: Two Types of Social Scientists

 
Differences Between Action Research and Traditional Research

 
An Example of Action Research

 
Processes of Continuous Improvement

 
Journal-Writing Assignments

 
 
3. Action Research: Definitions, Models, Steps, and Phases
Contemporary Need for Action Research

 
Definitions of Action Research

 
Action Research and Group Dynamics

 
Two Models of Action Research

 
Three Phases of Action Research

 
Journal-Writing Assignments

 
 
4. Research Methods: Procedures, Instruments, Special Issues, and Ethics
Data Collection in Action Research

 
Special Issues of Action Research

 
The Ethics of Action Research

 
Journal-Writing Assignments

 
 
5. Proactive Action Research
Marilyn Lund

 
James Johnson

 
The Six Steps of Proactive Action Research

 
The Range of Proactive Models

 
Journal-Writing Assignments

 
 
6. Responsive Action Research
Matt Reardon

 
Beverly Lee

 
The Six Steps of Responsive Action Research

 
The Range of Responsive Models

 
Journal-Writing Assignments

 
 
7. Group Dynamics of Cooperative Action Research
Positive Social Support

 
Critical Friendship

 
Probing Conversation

 
Effective Group Dynamics

 
Journal-Writing Assignments

 
 
8. Types of Cooperative Action Research
One-on-One Partnerships

 
Small Face-to-Face Groups

 
Whole-School Staffs

 
Districtwide Educator Networks and Stakeholders

 
Case Studies

 
Journal-Writing Assignment

 
 
9. Prominent Authors on Action Research
Its Democratic Philosophical Roots

 
John Dewey, Mary Parker Follett, and Kurt Lewin

 
Alice Miel and Stephen Corey

 
Ronald Lippitt

 
Paulo Freire

 
Reginald Revans

 
Chris Argyris and Donald Schön

 
Stephen Kemmis and Jean McNiff

 
William Foote Whyte

 
Richard Sagor

 
Geoffrey Mills

 
Teacher Research

 
Journal-Writing Assignment

 
 
Bibliography
 
Index

"This book is a modern catalyst for change in higher education. I have made it required reading for doctoral students, administrators, and faculty who must update their pedagogy to raise student learning."

Joseph Martin Stevenson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jackson State University

"This is a wonderful book for learning communities to use to self-evaluate prior to beginning new teaching techniques, and throughout the process."

Donna Walker Tileston, President
Strategic Teaching and Learning

"A comprehensive tool to support learning communities as they endeavor to improve professional practice."

Curriculum Connections, Spring 2007
School Library Journal

Sample Materials & Chapters

Foreword by Eleanor Perry

Preface

Chapter 1


For instructors

Please contact your Academic Consultant to check inspection copy availability for your course.

Select a Purchasing Option

ISBN: 9781412938594
£31.99