Action Research as a Tool for the Enhancement of Teachers’ Professional Development

Author(s):  
Nataša Gajšt
Author(s):  
Tome' Awshar Mapotse

It is the supreme art of an action research practitioner to awaken the joy of tapping into professional development review of Technology Education (TE) knowledge with the teachers as co-researchers. TE has been introduced as a new subject nationally and globally just few decades ago. Teachers and learners are still experiencing hurdles in implementing TE. Most teachers are poorly grounded in pedagogy and content knowledge of Technology Education. This AR study does not blame the limited teacher training in TE, as its intention was to empower such. The study was underpinned by critical theory and following the AR strategies and Technology Education Cascading Theory was envisaged to be incorporated. Focus group (interviews) was used as the method to engage these TE teachers. From the findings of the study, it has been proven that the AR approach study can be used in didactic and pedagogic situation to emancipate unqualified and under qualified Technology teachers.


Author(s):  
Dra. María Cecilia Martínez

En la mayoría de los estudios publicados en el área de educación, la IA (Investigación-Acción) con docentes aparece romantizada presentándose como un método eficaz para que estos cambien sus prácticas de enseñanza. Desde una mirada crítica, el propósito de este artículo es realizar una reflexión metodológica, un análisis sobre cómo se ha construido el conocimiento en una experiencia de IA en donde se desarrollaron comunidades de aprendizaje docente en escuelas secundarias de Córdoba, Argentina. Esta reflexión metodológica analiza las tensiones que se generan entre las demandas de la investigación y las condiciones de trabajo, prácticas y creencias que atraviesan los docentes de las escuelas secundarias. El análisis de las tensiones nos permite comprender el potencial de la IA tanto para estudiar las intervenciones en las escuelas con la colaboración de los docentes, como para crear un modelo de formación de los docentes. Asimismo, los hallazgos de esta reflexión generan implicancias metodológicas para desarrollar IA en las escuelas. AbstractIn most papers published in the educational area, action research (AR) with teachers is romanticized as an efficient method to change teachers practices. From a critical stand point the purpose of this article is to conduct a methodological reflexion, an analysis on how teachers and researcher have constructed knowledge in an AR experience involving teacher professional communities in secondary schools located in Córdoba, Argentina. This methodological reflexion examines tensions that emerged among research demands and teachers believes, practices and working conditions in secondary schools. The tension’s analysis allowed us to understand the potential of AR to both, study school interventions in collaboration with teachers and as a model to teachers’ professional development. The findings of these reflexion generate methodological implicantions for the development of AR in schools. Recibido: 19 de diciembre de 2012Aceptado: 07 de agosto de 2013


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document