Curriculum Information

The module is a problem-based module as participants will need to carry out an independent Action Research project to evaluate the effectiveness of a pedagogical change they will have implemented in their classes/tutorials.

In order to do so they need to be able to distinguish pedagogical action from research practices and to apply research and methods and principles onto their pedagogical action. The content of the module will support them in the different phases of their project. The indicative content is structured around the two concepts of Action and Research and is divided in three phases:

ACTION: analysis of practitioner research and use of Action Research to evaluate effectiveness of individual pedagogical practice;

RESEARCH: Action research models; Ethics; Ontology and Epistemology; Research methods; Validity, reliability; Data analysis and discussion; Study limitations;

ACTION: Evaluation of pedagogical interventions and recommendations.

The three phases of this module cover the phases of the Action Research project

Synchronous

• Introduction to the module: What to expect Assessment - Ethics Form, Introduction to Action Research

• ACTION: Practitioner research and Action Research to evaluate effectiveness of practices PSF: V3, K3, A2

• RESEARCH: Ethical considerations PSF: V1

• RESEARCH: Ontology and Epistemology Action Research models PSF: V3, A2

• RESEARCH: Qualitative data collection methods (interviews and focus groups, autoethnography) - validity and reliability PSF: V3, K5

• Practical Class/Workshop Ethics; Accessibility and Inclusivity; Preparing a poster PSF: V1

• RESEARCH: Quantitative data collection: questionnaires – validity and reliability PSF: V3, K5

• RESEARCH: Data analysis and discussion PSF: K5

• RESEARCH: Limitations and claims to knowledge PSF: K5

• ACTION: Evaluation of own practice and recommendations (Outputs, outcomes and impact) PSF: A5

• Practical Class/Workshop Assessment discussion: presentation skills, project written report/ Vlog PSF: V5, A5

Directed and Independent Study

• Watch video on Action research Watch video on Assessment

• Examine and discuss spaces of teacher agency in participants’ classroom/tutorial (learning group)
  
• Revisit own Ethics Form and give each other feedback in the learning group
  
• Watch video about own ontological position Share and discuss in the Learning group

• Use the given case study to prepare questions and role play the interview situation (learning group) Modify own interview/focus groups questions

• Individual work on the drafts of their posters and share with learning group
  
• Use the given case study to prepare survey questions Modify own questionnaires

• Qualitative and quantitative analysis. Analyse given data/transcriptions in light of models discussed (learning group)
  
• Audit of participants’ research study limitations and their implication for knowledge
  

The module is developed to support participants’ claim of Fellowship of Advance Higher Education. To demonstrate they meet the criteria of D2 of the Professional Standard Framework, they will need to demonstrate the effectiveness of their practices in all areas of activities, application of core knowledge and adherence to all professional values. This can be achieved once they have acquired the skills and methods of gathering rigorous evidence of their practice in light of research-based evidence.