Action Research Guest Biographies
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Maigenet Shiffferraw, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate Program in Adult Education, Department of Education, University of the District of Columbia
I am the Principal Investigator for the Action Research project in Adult Basic Education at the University of the District of Columbia. The actual researchers are the adult education teachers who are teaching in a community based organization, but we (the team) is also responsible for evaluating the benefits of guided action research to enhancing the professional development of adult education teachers.
I have a strong research background and I taught Research in Adult Education in our graduate program. Currently I am directing the Action Research Project that is sponsored by the UDC/State Education Agency (SEA) and the UDC Department of Education, Graduate certificate Program in Adult Education.
Seventeen adult basic education teachers participated in the Action Research project in the last three years. We provided workshops on the different elements of action research as a professional development and visited teachers at their work places. I also read their reports and gave them feedback. I prepared a handbook for teacher-researchers in adult education -- based on our three years experience in the action research project. The handbook will be pilot tested by teacher-researches in the 4th year of the project.
Janet Burton, DSW, Professor and Director, Social Work Program, University of the District o Columbia
As a member of the Action research team I provide consultation on research particularly related to social factors and adult education. I am conducting a study that examines how social factors impact participation in adult basic education.
I teach content on aging and was concerned about student’s limited appreciation of the challenges and successes that come with development across the life cycle. An educational strategy was needed to give greater meaning to classroom content. Service learning projects were introduced to increase students understanding and appreciation of the needs of the elderly. Direct participation with older persons permitted students to relate their text book learning to real life situations. It has also increased interests in taking other courses focused on the older person.
George W. Spicely, Adjunct Professor, Department of Education, University of the District of Columbia; and Education Consultant
George Spicely coordinates the work of the Action Research Project Team and provides support to the participating teacher-researchers. He coordinates planning, implementation and follow-up of project activities, leads research related discussion on administrative and research issues using Blackboard software.
