This section of our course looked at teachers as researchers and the importance of grounding our work in educational research. We actually had to consider a topic and to create an action research outline. This prompted me to tackle a topic that we talk a lot about but will require some pointed effort and time: critical thinking.
If we are going to spend valuable time trying to improve such a vital skill, then it is important for the strategies we choose to be based on research and to do the work across the subject areas. By involving teachers from across the building students will see this work happening in most (if not all) of their classes and will start to see how those skills transfer. The ultimate goal is to change mindsets/habits of mind of staff and students, which often comes after starting to see results.
It we are going to be teacher researchers then it is important to have a framework to use for our work. Action research provides a framework that forces us to consider a formal plan that involves specific actions, data collection, analysis and reflection. Without these steps we are not likely to make improvements in our practices and we will not know if our actions are likely to make a lasting impact on students and student learning.
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