Teacher as Researcher

RE 5040-376

Fall Term, 2009

 


Class and Instructor Info:
Class meetings:  Wednesdays, 5 – 8 pm at NC School of the Arts, Work Place West V, Room 112 (1922 S. Main St., Winston-Salem).
Instructor: Dr. David A. Koppenhaver
Office:  Edwin Duncan Hall 123B
Tel.:  (828) 262-6074 (Skype: Dave Koppenhaver)
Email:  koppenhaverd@appstate.edu
Homepage: http://faculty.rcoe.appstate.edu/koppenhaverd/
Office Hours: By appointment.

Course Description 

The Graduate Bulletin describes this class as follows:  "This course provides an opportunity for practitioners to explore, using systematic observations and reflection, an area of interest in their professional practice. Teachers will research and solve specific problems in educational settings. The ultimate goal is that the inquiry conducted by the student should lead to an improvement in practice and to an increased understanding of the issues, both theoretical and practical, that arise in the course of conducting research."

 

That is, ASU hopes that you will reflect on the nature, purpose, and value of research by engaging in a study of your own. We will study additional research designs and methods with the intention of assisting you in becoming a more knowledgeable consumer of the professional literature. In-class meetings will be augmented by web-based readings and online discussions. Historically, this has been a complex and demanding course. It should not be an intimidating one. Patience, flexibility, and a good work ethic will help all of us achieve our goals for this course.

Course Goals

 

You will:

*  Engage in self-conceived and self-directed research that will increase the effectiveness and success of your own instruction.

*  Read, discuss, and reflect on research designs, methods, and issues in order to become a more informed and sophisticated consumer of the research literature in literacy.

*  Engage in dialogue and reading that will increase your professional knowledge base.

 

Methods of Instruction

Multiple methods of instruction will be used:  lecture, discussion, workshops, cooperative groups, and independent study. Web-assisted instruction will be used as warranted.  You will take an active role as peer instructors in the class. 

Texts: Readings are linked to the online course calendar and/or in online reserves.

Individual Learning Needs: Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at http://www.ods.appstate.edu or 828-262-3056. Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.

 

University Writing Center: The University Writing Center (Rm 008, Belk Library & Information Commons) is open Monday-Thursday (9am-6pm) and on Friday (9am-1pm). Consultants will work with you one-on-one and provide assistance with style, organization, content, voice, grammar, and documentation (including MLA and APA formats). In addition to your draft and/or any pre-writing notes, bring your assignment to your session. For more information, visit www.writingcenter.appstate.edu. To make an appointment, call 262-3144.

Equal Opportunity Policy: Appalachian State University is committed to providing equal opportunity in education and employment to all applicants, students, and employees.  The university does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. The university actively promotes diversity among students and employees.

 

On-Line Course Resources:

Office of Extension and Distance Education: http://www.ext-dl.appstate.edu/
ASU Library,
http://www.library.appstate.edu/

Distance Learning Library Services, http://www.library.appstate.edu/distance_learning/

RE 5040 Research Guides: http://library.appstate.edu/reference/classguides/re5040.html.

Online Community, http://www.nicenet.org

Grading                  

Teacher as Researcher Threaded Discussion
20%
Action Research Presentation 20%
Action Research Project Manuscript 40%
Community of Practice 20%

Inclement Weather Policy

I will make every effort to conduct scheduled classes, and I hope you will make every effort to participate in scheduled classes.  If weather prevents you from attending class, please call me (the sooner the better). In the event that I cancel class or Winston-Salem State is closed, Extension and Distance Education will post a notice on their website.  The direct link is: http://www.ext-dl.appstate.edu/cancellations.html.  One additional resource that may be helpful as you individually determine the advisability of driving to class is the NC Dept of Transportation's Traveler Information Management System, http://apps.dot.state.nc.us/tims/. Click on the region, and then enter the highways or road(s) you're interested in. Here is our class phone tree, so that you know who and where to call in the event of class cancellation. Please download ahead of time and keep where you can access it as needed.

Calendar and Assignments: A course calendar and assignments will evolve as the class progresses. All dates and assignments on the calendar should be viewed as tentative until we finalize them in class. 

Last updated August 23, 2009 by  David Koppenhaver.