Action Research Communities - Mertler, Craig A.

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Sommaire:

Introduction: Why Merge Action Research and Professional Learning Communities?

Introduction: Why merge action research and professional learning communities?

1: What is Action Research?

Description of Action Research

Action Research vs. Educational Research

What Action Research Is and Is Not

Professional Benefits of Action Research

The Process of Conducting Action Research

The Process in Action - An Example

Step 1: Identifying and limiting the topic

Step 2: Gathering information

Step 3: Reviewing the related literature

Step 4: Developing a research plan

Step 5: Implementing the plan and collecting data

Step 6: Analyzing the data

Step 7: Developing an action plan

Step 8: Sharing and communicating the results

Step 9: Reflecting on the process

Important Takeaways from Chapter 1

2: Professional Learning Communities

What is a Professional Learning Community?

Characteristics of PLCs

Shared Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals

Collaborative Culture with a Focus on Learning

Collective Inquiry into Best Practice and Current Reality

Action Orientation: Learning by Doing

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Orientation Focused on Results

The Challenge of a Changing Culture

Teaching and Assessing in a PLC

Important Takeaways from Chapter 2

3: The Action Research Model for Transformational Innovation

What is the Action Research Model for Transformational Innovation?

The Five Components of the Model

Data-Driven Educational Decision-Making

Data, Data, and More Data

Thinking Differently

Collaboration

Professional Reflection

One Additional (Sub)Component...

Implications of the Action Research Model for Transformational Innovation

Important Takeaways from Chapter 3

4: Putting It All Together: Action Research Communities

TI-in-Ed + PLC = ARC

Specifying the Purposes and Functioning of an ARC

Roles for Teachers in ARCs

Roles for Building Administrators in ARCs

Roles for District Administrators in ARCs

Important Takeaways from Chapter 4

5: Where Do We Go From Here? Sustaining and Growing Your ARC

Ways to Sustain ARCs

Link Reform Efforts to Existing Practices

Focus on Why, Then on How

Align Actions with Words

Be Flexible, but Firm

Build a Coalition, But Don't Wait for Unanimity

Expect Mistakes...and Learn from Them

Learn by Doing, Not by Additional Training

Short-Term Victories...and Celebrations

Ways to Extend ARCs

Integrating Technology

Student Engagement

Grant Funding

Mini-Grants to ARC Participants

Systems of Incentives

Components of Personnel Evaluation Systems

Action Research / Innovation Conferences

Implementation of an ARC Represents a Process

Important Takeaways from Chapter 5

6: Using ARCs to Deepen Professional Learning and Improve Student Achievement

Action Research Communities as Mechanisms for Professional Learning

Action Research Communities as Mechanisms for Improving Student Achievement

Important Takeaways from Chapter 6

References

Appendix: Action Research Mentor Portfolio Templates

Index