Our first reading, The Art of Classroom Inquiry, made me realize the benefits of teacher research. I see the teacher I work with doing this in an informal way while constantly assessing what our students need to learn, how they learn best, and if they have learned what we are teaching. I hadn't ever thought of it as research. It makes me wonder what more I could learn from this practice and how it might benefit my students. The article defines research as starting by wondering. Here is a lis of some things I wonder about.
1. How can I more effectively meet the needs of each student?
1. How can I more effectively meet the needs of each student?
2. What are more ways I can expose them to what life after school is like?
3. How do I balance supports while pushing them toward independence?
4.What other ways can they seek independence?
5. How can I implement what I have learned in the classroom?
6. How can I take on more responsibility in my classroom without seeming like I am trying to take the place of the teacher?
7. How do I get school leadership to value the role of the teacher assistant in the classroom?
8.How can I voice my opinions in a diplomatic way?
9. How can I find job placements for my students that meet their interest?
10. What is a good way to measure my effectiveness in the program?
11. What is a good way to discuss politics with students?
12. Is it my place to encourage family involvement and connections?
13. Can what I learn be beneficial for my own children?
14. How do I balance protecting my children from the cruelties in the world while fostering discernment and the need to look for good in others?
15. How do I share what I have learned without seeming preachy?
16. What do I do when there is no good choice or answer?
17. What should be the criteria for judging a person's ability to make decisions for themselves?
18. How can I use my degree to better my position at work?
19. What is my next challenge after my Masters?
20. When will I be able to retire??
Lastly, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?"
"The world may never know!"
Another article about teacher research can be accessed through this link. It also discusses the way this type of research needs to be validated.
Hi Susan I also ask myself how to help the youth understand what it is like after you complete your schooling. They should know how to navigate adulthood by using street smarts and not school based education. I worry that we are not teaching them to fall but get back up, all success has falls and it is ok. I worry about the economy and how it will hamper these young folks from establishing independence.
ReplyDeleteSusan, your questions reveal what a caring and dedicated person and youth worker you are. Great questions! I hope we can get to the bottom of some of them.
ReplyDeleteTHis is great, Susan. I love that this article gave you a sense of validation (we are doing research all the time!) and spurred all of these questions! Thanks for the article link.
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