EDF5760 · Action research in contemporary educational contexts

Overview

This unit sets out to actively transform the educator into a researcher, through the creation of opportunities to use learning contexts as sites to research and to apply research. Intended to empower the educator, as both a teacher and a scholar, the unit will develop relevant and contemporary ideas that impact on teaching and learning within 21st century educational contexts. Initiated by a review of current literature involving action research, the unit will also build skill, enhancing professional output through a strengthening of practice. As part of the process, the unit will require you to select an area of focus, consider relevant theories, develop sound research questions relating to the inquiry, reflect on appropriate methodologies and design a plan of research suitable to your interest and professional profile. It is envisaged that engagement in action research will build more reflective practice, encourage progress and evaluation of learning and teaching programs, build strong professional cultures and enhance scholarship in the field.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. demonstrate an understanding of how action research could advance your scholarship as a professional within contemporary educational settings, through the generation of an independent idea for research and investigation
2. interact with the significant action research theories and contemporary debates in the field through the design of an individual project to apply your skill and knowledge
3. utilise your acquired knowledge to evaluate literature, knowledge and research in the field, demonstrating this through an analytic and critical literature review
4. collate your understanding of action research in the classroom by communicating your understanding through clear and coherent academic writing for a particular audience, context and purpose
5. devise an action research project which synthesizes and applies knowledge to your own professional practice and research scholarship in education
6. reflect an understanding of theoretical methodologies used within action research.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • 12 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities, 24 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study OR • 36 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study^ ^ International students studying in Australia are not permitted to undertake this scheduled learning delivery mode Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.