.
?
.
EDUCATION 429 - 4
RESEARCH FOR THE CLASSROOM TEACHER
Summer Session, 1981
?
Instructor: Morton Tenenberg
Mon. & Wed. 12:30 - 4:30
?
Location : Campus
Major Purposes
This course has two focuses: (a) it will show how teachers can design and carry
out research in their own school that will give
them useful information about their teaching and
how their students are going about learning;
(b) it will present the major findings of recent
published research on teaching and will illustrate
the methods used.
The two focuses are related: knowledge of recent findings in educational research
will assist teachers in selecting dimensions of their teaching, or of pupil learn-
ing, for personal investigation and possible improvement; current trends in re-
search methodology will provide techniques that, in modified and simplified forms,
are easy to apply in the context of teaching.
Course Content
The course will begin with an exploration of participants' views on research and
the identification of puzzling questions about teaching and learning. A series
of topics will then be explored in repeating cycles of activities. Typically
a cycle will include:
1.
Discussion of a published review of research on the topic, with particular
attention to implications for teachers.
2.
Demonstration of how the methods can be modified for classroom use,
followed by practice of a simplified method with a videotaped lesson
or in a simulated classroom setting.
3.
Planning and discussion of related research activities that can be carried
out by teachers.
The topics include:
- Direct vs. indirect instruction ?
- Discussion as a teaching tool
- Teaching basic skills ?
- How teachers make decisions
- Classroom climate
?
- Others identified by class participants
During the course, some current research being conducted by Simon Fraser faculty
members will be presented. The question of how teachers may apply for research
funds will be explored.
Assignments
1. Read reviews of published educational research.
2.
Prepare two written plans for research which can be implemented in the school
setting, and which are designed to provide information about one's teaching or
how pupils are going about learning.
3.
Provide verbal and written reactions to the plans of other class members.
Text
Peterson, P..L. & Walberg, H.J., Research on Teaching. McCuthan Publishing
Corporation (1979).
p