Dear Brian/Patti/All
Thank you, Brian - and Patti so much for posting Patti's message to our list.
Where Patti asks:
Reading some of the contibutions, I am wondering if AR has moved away from those
earlier days when we researched and reflected on our own practice, selecting an
aspect for change over which we had both ethical and real control and which we
believed could make a valid contribution to improving the world of education in
some way, however small. Is the system of quality assurance we imposed on
ourselves (literature search and review, discussions with others whose opinion
we valued and systematic recording and reflection) out-of-date?
My answer (and as I prepare to review for TR.net Jean and Jack's new book on
action research) would be a resounding No! What has happened to the detriment
of practitioner research is that it's become jargon-ridden and rather cultish
and frankly I think that is partly (I can hear the sharp intake of breath!)
because living educational theories of the kind How Can I Improve? sometimes
try to do too much - they become decontextualised and too broadly focused ...
That's ironic when I see the simple language and tight research questions that
Jack and Jean advise teacher researchers to engage with: living contradiction?
By the way - Dear All! - I really need your help ... what are the standards of
judgement that I should apply to Jack and Jean's new book as I review it now?
It's called Action Research for Teachers and the front cover says it is about
action learning, self study and reflective practice and the back cover says it
provides a detailed explanation of what action research is. It claims to be
'the perfect companion for teachers at all levels engaged in professional
developmen who need to enhance their formal reflection skills' Major claims!
This isn't a rhetorical question in case you wonder - I really DO want advice!
Kind regards
Sarah
Sarah Fletcher
SL Mentoring and Induction, BSUC
http://www.TeacherResearch.net
Tel. 01225 875875
Quoting Brian wakeman <[log in to unmask]>:
> Patti asked me to post this for her.
>
> Brian
>
> Note: forwarded message attached.
>
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> Brian E. Wakeman
> Education adviser
> Dunstable
> Beds
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