RE 5040-375
Teacher as Researcher
Spring 2009 Calendar and Assignments

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February
March
April
Threaded Discussion
AR = Action Research (3rd ed.) by Geoffrey Mills

Class Meeting Date and Activities

Related Assignments
Jan 22: Class #1 Overview
+ Syllabus and calendar
+ Introductions
+ Discussion: What is the relationship between classroom research and teaching?
+ Discussion: What do we need/want /hope to learn from this class?

+ Read chapter 1 and consider how the skills, knowledge, attitudes of researchers compare to and contrast with teachers.
+ Go to Nicenet and join "RE 5040 Spring 2009" with the information you were emailed.
+ Look over the syllabus and calendar. What questions do you have about the course or plan? What suggestions do you have?
+ Go to our threaded discussion board. Explore the mechanics of the board in the "Trial Area," and then enter the discussion group on the similarities and differences between teaching and research.
+ Tonight's class notes.
Jan 29 and Feb. 5: Class #2 Data Analysis and Interpretation

+ Read AR ch. 2 and apply the strategies to refine your research topic ideas and begin drafting your action research plan. Bring draft or outline with you to class for feedback.
+ Do you have additional questions and/or suggestions re: syllabus, calendar, assignments, or anything else course-related (and bring those with you to class if you do)?
+ Tonight's class notes.

Feb. 12: Class #4 Refining Questions and Considering Data Collection

+ Read AR ch. 3 and consider how you might collect data for your own project. Use this info to refine your action research plan. Again, bring your evolving draft with you to class for feedback.
+ Read AR, ch. 4, to consider validity, reliability, and potential bias in your proposed study.
+ Tonight's class notes.

Feb. 19: Work Week
+ Class will not meet

+ Complete your proposals and submit as MS Word attachment via email to Dr. K by Feb. 20. You may begin your research projects any time after you receive the go-ahead from me.
+ Two proposals accepted on first draft with my comments: 1 and 2.
Feb. 26: Class #6 Ethics

+ Read AR ch. 5. Do you feel comfortable with the ethical aspects of your own research project?
+ Everyone should have their research project up and running now. Bring your questions, concerns, issues with you so we can assist one another.
+ Here is a copy of tonight's notes.

March 5: Class #7 What's in It for Me? My Students? Others?

+ Read AR ch. 7 to consider some of the challenges you may (have already) face(d) in conducting your study and ultimately why you might consider your project worthwhile.
+ Continue conducting your action research project this week. Bring any questions, concerns, insights with you to class for discussion and problem-solving.
+ Bring (some of) your data with you, so we can assist one another with preliminary data management, coding, analysis.
+ Here is a copy of tonight's notes.
March 12 : No Class Mtg.
Spring Break at ASU		 + Continue conducting your action research project this week.

March 19: Class #8 Writing Up and Presenting Your Research

+ Read ch. 8 for guidelines on writing up your action research projects. What questions do you have about preparing your in-class presentations or final paper?
+ Continue conducting your action research project this week. Bring (some of) your data with you, so we can assist one another with data management, coding, analysis.
+ Bring one research article you plan to use in your presentation/paper. Be prepared to discuss who was studied, what data were collected and how, how data were analyzed, conclusions drawn, and how the study informs your research project.
+ Here are links to sample presentations from the previous 5040 class: 1, 2, and 3.
+ Here are links to sample papers from a previous 5040 class: 1, 2, and 3
+ Copy of tonight's notes.

March 26: Work Week
+ Class will not meet.



+ Presenters after Apr. 2 continue conducting action research projects. Ask any questions at the appropriate threaded discussion group.
+ Prepare as much of your presentation and final paper as possible. Ask any questions at the appropriate threaded discussion group.

Apr. 2: Class #10 Presentations
+ Doing research: your presentations and class discussion

+ Action Research Presentations: Erin Farrington, Judy McDade, Christy Findley.
+ Continue conducting your action research project if you present during the final two classes.
Apr. 9: Class #11 Presentations

+ Action Research Presentations: Angie Sigmon, Katie Templeton, Dana Eudy, Misty Mistretta, Julie Duncan, Gloria Bowman.
+ April 2 presenters' papers due: Erin Farrington, Judy McDade, Christy Findley.
Apr. 16: Class #12 Presentations

+ Action Research Presentations: Barbara Terauds, Pam Aubuchon, Carla Moorefield, Britney Miller, Angie Alexander, Robin Hand.
+ April 9 presenters' papers due: Angie Sigmon, Katie Templeton, Dana Eudy, Misty Mistretta, Julie Duncan, Gloria Bowman.

Apr. 23: Final Class Presentations and Wrap-Up
+ Threaded Discussion: "What did you learn: about research, about literacy, about your students, about yourself?"
+ Here is a link to the online course evaluation.

+ Action Research Presentations: SuSu Watson, Ashley Wright, Abby Boughton, Rebecca Davis, Whitney Gilbert (sound file).
+ April 16 and 23 presenters' papers due: Barbara Terauds, Pam Aubuchon, Carla Moorefield, Britney Miller, Angie Alexander, Robin Hand, SuSu Watson, Ashley Wright, Abby Boughton, Rebecca Davis, Whitney Gilbert.
+ Read AR ch. 9. How might/will you share your action research project with others? What did you learn from your project and the process?

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Last modified January 22, 2009 by David Koppenhaver.