Dear Matt, Je Kan and All,

I'm just catching up on reading postings after a fantastic trip to Japan to witness the growth of the 
action research movement there. By the way - there is some AMAZING action research going on in 
Kobe schools - I was lucky enough to be invited to observe a science lesson at Akashi Elementary. 
I remember watching another teacher in a downtown public school with her student researchers 
during an earlier visit to the city.  In Tokorosawa near Tokyo there are stunning advances in action 
research among teachers - the Teachers' Centre is so well supported by Tadashi Asada who is a 
Professor at the nearby Waseda University and they've nos agreed to devote major funding to AR.
I also had a wonderful opportunity to take part in a workshop for nurse educators by Yumi Tamura 
- I haven't seen any postings from Yumi on this list but she is well known to many of us for her AR

I digress (happily!)  I wonder if the MA module that was developed in conjunction with teachers at 
Bitterne Park and Westwood St Thomas Schools, which integrates mentoring and action research 
might offer useful avenues to explore for portfolio preparation based on living theory self study? 
I have attached an early draft copy of the module and you are most welcome to develop it further.
(Please, if you do so, I'd ask that you fully acknowledge the source of any work that you develop.)
The DfES and National Teacher Research panel here in England acknowledge the world-class PR 
that eminated from studying this module - portfolios were developed on-line using KEEP Toolkit 
technology - you can access many examples of teachers' portfolios from the homepage of TR.net

Warm regards,

Sarah

http://www.TeacherResearch.net

PS My most wonderful memory of Martin Dobson who is so rightly valued for his loving warmth of 
humanity was when asked by a colleague to copy a video.  It showed a visiting academic reduced 
to tears by the inhumamity of her host.  Smiling, Martin announed the video had been destroyed!