Action Research as Professional Development
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Preparation for Action Research Discussion [[1]]
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Discussion Topic: Action Research as Professional Development
Discussion Dates: October 2 – 9, 2006
To Participate: Subscribe by visiting: http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Professionaldevelopment
(Subscription is free. It is easy to unsubscribe after the discussion is over.)
You will find a 10-minute segment about action research in the District of Columbia at:
General Overview:
Join our guests and teacher researchers from the University of the District of Columbia on the Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List to discuss a broad range of topics related to action research in adult literacy professional development (PD), including:
- Action research and participatory action research
- Problems/questions from instruction that could become action research
- Teachers’ experiences with action research
- How D.C. and other areas are using practitioner inquiry as professional development
- Ancillary support systems for action research
- Tools that give teachers different modes for examining their practice and to build a PD community
- Role of action research in “evidence-based practice”
- Action research as a transformative professional development
GUESTS:
Teacher Researchers
Patricia DeFerrari works for Academy of Hope which runs several adult education programs including ABE/GED classes. Her research was on the use of authentic materials to improve attendance in ABE reading class.
Adrienne Jones works for Catholic Charities GED program. Her research was on how daily interactive, self-paced computer learning and discussion time with peers and the instructor effect written posttest scores in science, reading and social studies.
Kris Garvin works for Notre Dame Adult Education Center. Her research was on using authentic material to improve social studies scores in GED. Her research also focused on building, highlighting, and reinforcing personal connections learners have to community, history, and current events.
Cheryl Jackson works as an independent consultant teaching workplace education classes for the District Department of Transportation employees. Her research topic focused on how computer technology could be used to improve reading comprehension and word recognition skills for low-level readers participating in a workplace education program.
Chenniah Randolph works for Metropolitan Delta GED program. Her research was on the instructional gap between CASAS assessment instrument and GED instructional materials.
University of the District of Columbia Researchers
Maigenet Shifferraw, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate Program in Adult Education, Department of Education, University of the District of Columbia
Dr. Shifferraw is 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 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.
Janet Burton, DSW, Professor and Director, Social Work Program, University of the District of Columbia
As a member of the Action research team, Janet Burton provides consultation on research particularly related to social factors and adult education. She is conducting a study that examines how social factors impact participation in adult basic education.
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. Specifically, he coordinates planning, implementation and follow-up of project activities, and leads research related discussion on administrative and research issues using Blackboard software.
