Describes a study that used action research and a sociocultural framework to assess the effectiveness of a listserv for teacher training. Investigated whether it created opportunities for the development of language teacher discourse; whether teachers-in-training engaged in instructional conversations on a listserv; and problems associated with…

Identifies certain conceptions regarding the science content studied by students aged 9-11 years and develops a strategy for altering these conceptions. Reviews research on misconceptions and defines action research. (DDR)

Action research can take on different characteristics because underlying it are differing epistemological assumptions, which in turn shape methodological choices as well as how problems are formulated. This article examines three perspectives, and their accompanying methodologies, common to action research: positivism, interpretivism, and critical…

Action Research on Change in Schools, a two-year National Institute of Education funded collaborative action research project, is described. The following aspects of action research are examined: conditions or requirements for successful collaborative action research, the process of collaboration, and expected theory/practice and staff…

This article discusses the rationale for teaching preservice teachers to participate in action research, and describes the guidelines followed in developing and teaching the action research course given as part of the elementary PROTEACH program at the University of Florida. (IAH)

Argues that classroom research helps teachers (1) explore in a focused way what works with their students; and (2) discover if a problem will be solved by changing the classroom environment. Presents examples of classroom research. Describes procedures for conducting classroom research. (RS)

The collaborative five-phase process of an action research team's two-year project in a New Hampshire junior high school is described. This qualitative study sheds light on team experiences, developmental phases, interpersonal tasks/issues, group processes, outcomes, and staff-development experiences. Team meetings/projects create an outlet for…

Defines Participatory Action Research (PAR) as involving practitioners in the research process and building objectives into the research design. Discusses the history of organizational behavior research, listing the lessons learned from the Hawthorne study. Views current research as following either the course of "normal social science"…

Student teaching programs should be geared to prepare future teachers in ways which will foster collaborative research skills. Recent educational proposals call upon teachers to engage in collaborative research, and it is logical to prepare student teachers to meet such expectations. (JD)

Anita Woolfolk, author of a best-selling educational psychology textbook, discusses format and important concepts in her text; application of educational psychology to teacher education; role of research in teacher education; her research in school climate and teacher efficacy; and her personal lifestyle. (KS)

Presents examples of instructional episodes showing changing patterns of communication between teacher and students. Gives action research ideas designed to help teachers listen to children describe how they think. (MKR)

An action research approach was used to evaluate a nontraditional gifted identification technique for disadvantaged students. Fourth-grade students selected by a whole classroom "tryout" technique participated in the Future Problem Solving component of the talented and gifted curriculum with students selected by traditional means. Analysis showed…

A high school mathematics teacher designed an action research project to help students learn effective notetaking for studying and for organizing and remembering information. Fifty students completed questionnaires about their notetaking habits and ways to improve them. After discussing survey findings, students designed their own formats and…

Disillusionment with professional/scientific knowledge and trust in practitioner knowledge have led to renewed interest in action technologies. Action research, action learning, participatory research, popular education, and collaborative inquiry can bridge the gap between theory and practice. (SK)

Offers insights gathered while supervising two school-based, action-research investigations. Conceptualizes reflective teaching and practitioner research. Analyzes why a loosely conceived investigation generated developments in staff expertise and curriculum innovation, while a more rigorous project attracted academic praise and dust. Debates…