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 

To Prepare: View this short streaming video for background about
action
research in the District of Columbia

http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/professionaldevelopment/webcast_ac

tion.html  (or try: http://tinyurl.com/krah5 )

General Overview: Join our guests from the University of the District
of
Columbia and teacher researchers (listed below) 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:

* Defining action research
* Problems/questions from instruction that could become action
research
* Teachers' experiences with action research
* Action Research in Adult Basic Education in the District of Columbia
* 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
 

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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, Dr. 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

Professor 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.

Supplemental Materials:


Streaming Video: Action Research in Adult Basic Education in the
District of Columbia

http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/professionaldevelopment/webcast_ac

tion.html  (or try: http://tinyurl.com/krah5 ) 

(b)     About the D.C. Action Research Project:
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/professionaldevelopment/action.htm

l 

(c)     "What is Research?"    Focus on Basics,   Volume 1, Issue A:
February 1997,
National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy:
http://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=166 

Includes articles:   "Research with Words:  Qualitative Inquiry"
http://www.ncsall.net/?id=468  

"Knowing, Learning,  Doing: Participatory Action Research 
http://www.ncsall.net/?id=479  

(d)     "Learning from Practice"
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/able/cwp/view.asp?a=215&Q=110064 

A Project of the Pennsylvania ABLE Lifelong Learning 

     Shares information on Project's three Learning from Practice
Models

         o Pennsylvania Action Research Network (PAARN)
         o Pennsylvania Adult Literacy Practitioner Inquiry Network
         o Agency Research Projects

(e)     New! The Action Research Topic Area of the ALE Wiki:

        http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Action_Research  

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To Subscribe, Visit:
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Professionaldevelopment 

I hope you will join us! Jackie

Jackie Taylor, Adult Literacy Professional Development List Moderator,
jataylor at utk.edu