teaching as inquiry
DESCRIPTION
Teaching as Inquiry. Why become a reflective practitioner and how???TRANSCRIPT
The best 5 ideas on HOW to improve your own
professional practice as a teacher and/or as a leader
of learning within your school.Presenter: Tanya Thompson
Acting Principal, St Andrews Middle School
We are all learners: changing a school
culture
Tip 1: Be Ready and Able
• be prepared to inquire into your own practice– as a teacher– as a leader
of learning
Discussion Point
• What mental model is needed to inquire into our own practice?
• How can we position ourselves to become ready and able??
• How can we position others around us??
Tip 2: Know - How
When inquiring/researching into your practice you need a systematic way so that you can gain evidence
– to support your change in practice
OR– affirm existing practices
Action research is the study of a
social situation with a view to improving the
quality of action within it.
Cardno and Piggot-Irvine, 1991
Action Research Process
1. Collect data and analyse it
- student achievement
- student learning
- student voice
- teacher practice data
- leadership practice data
Be selective with data collection – stay focussed
2. Look at what research has to say
• Professional readings
• Collegial discussions
• Visit other classrooms/
schools
3. Make a Plan and reflect on it
Set a simple action plan which targets your areas of
– Concerns…– wonderings ….– low or poor performance….. etc
How do I know????
• Reflect and evaluate as you go– Can I collect evidence of learning? – Is it impacting on student learning?
How do I know?– Is it impacting on my staff?
School culture? How do I know?
• Where is my evidence????
4. Collect comparative data and analyse it
- student achievement- student learning - student voice- teacher practice data- leadership practice data
Am I making a difference? Are my new or enhanced practices
more effective?How do I know? Where is my evidence?
5. Share it and celebrate
• We are all learners and we can teach each other so much
• Share your findings– Other colleagues – Students– Parents– The wider community
Teachers/Leaders need to see hard evidence
Teachers/Leaders need to be supported when modifying their practice.
Teachers/Leaders need to see the necessity for change for themselves
No matter where you start…
each component spirals into the others
Discussion Point
• General Q and A re: process
• Examples available
Contact details:
Tanya Thompson
Tip 3: Structures which support teacher/leader inquiry
Clear School-wide Expectations
•Trust established within the school culture
• A professional culture of learning and teaching
•Inquiring about practice is the ‘norm’
•Data analysis
•Evidence based planning and assessment
•All learning should be transparent
Staff Meetings
Learning vs OrganisationStaff meetings are specifically set aside for goal setting/assessment, discussion
of professional readings and sharing and celebration of teachers/leaders
practice.
In-Class, On-the-Job, Hands-on
Professional Support
•Modelling of best practice
•Release time
•Both in-house and consultant knowledge base of best practice
•Individual/group support with practices
Appraisal Process
•set goals in relation to their practice in appraisal documentation
•collect baseline/comparative data
•keep a reflective journal
•share and celebrate changes in practice
reflection within our practice leads to higher confidence
and a positive culture of change
Discussion Point
• What structures does your place of learning currently have which support inquiry in our own practice??
• What structures do you need to put in place to ensure success??
Tip 4: Look for Evidence
• Seek out evidence of learning/effectiveness of practices
• Did I achieve what I set out to do? Do I now have more questions?
Did I raise student achievement?
Reaction to
Student/Staff voice
• How do you collect student/staff voice?
• What do you do with it?
• How does it impact on
your teaching and learning?
Your leading?
Discussion Point
• What evidence do you look for to know you are making a difference? Raising student achievement?
• Do you have hard evidence to support these?? How could you from now on??
Tip 5: ACTION IT
• Action your new practices
• Implement changes
• Look at measures to sustain the change
Be the change factor
– make the difference