FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

College of Education

 

Department:                  Curriculum and Instruction

Course Title:                 Practicum in Reading

Course Number:           RED 6805

Credit:                          3 semester hours

Professor:                     Joyce C. Fine

Location:                      Teen Court Building

                                    5220 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, Florida 33137

Dr. Fine’s Office:          University Park Campus, ZEB 260 A

                                    Office (305) 348- 6152 or (305) 348- 2005(secretary)

                                    FAX: (305) 348- 2086

E-mail:                          Joyce.Fine@fiu.edu or finej@fiu.edu                

Office Hours:                Tuesdays 12:30 - 4:30 (not all hours in February and March when in the field.)

                                    Wednesdays 3:30- 4:30  

                                    Best by appointment. E-mail ahead.

 

Prerequisites              RED 6314

 

I.          Purpose of Course:

 

The Practicum in Reading is a required course in the Master’s in Reading Program. It provides supervised experience as a reading professional in teaching, assessing, supervision, or research role. The conceptual focus of the course is two-pronged: 1) candidates conduct action research with marginalized adolescents and 2) research the literature on adolescent literacy.  Each candidate must be guided by what teaching/ learning should be, their knowledge of learning environments, and the meaning of social change. Prerequisite: RED 6314

 

II.        COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

                                                                                                                                                            The specific learning objectives for the course are congruent with the standards promulgated by the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAP) at the highest (Accomplished) level, the International Reading Association (IRA) and the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).  At the end of the course candidates should know, be able to do, and be disposed to the following:

 (See matrix below and a charts with an explanation of  IRA and  FEAP standards and listing of NBPTS in appendix.)

Florida Accomplished Practices

National

Boards

NBPTS

International Reading Association’s Standards

Assignments

1. Assessment

3

2.14; 4.1; 4.2; 6.1; 10.1; 10.2;

Evaluation and instruction of practicum students

2. Communication

1

11.1; 11.2; 11.3; 11.4; 11.5;

Protocol reports for students/ educators/

3. Continuous Improvement

4

1.1; 3.3; 5.3; 12.1; 13.1; 13.2; 13.3; 13.4; 13.5; 14.1; 14.2; 14.3; 16.1; 16.2; 16.6; 16.7; 16.8

Develop program for tutoring; Discussion groups; Reflection; Testing of students; Action Research Report

4. Critical Thinking

2

7.1; 7.4; 7.5; 7.6;

Strategy Instruction

5. Diversity

1

1.2; 3.1; 3.2;

Discussions

6. Ethics

1

3.4; 13.6

Discussions

7. Human Development and Learning

1

1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.7; 3.1

Teaching Team Discussions

8. Knowledge of Subject Matter

2

4.4

Literature Review for Action Research Report on Effective Adolescent Reading Instruction

9. Learning Environments

4

2.9; 4.3; 

Reflections on context and content of  tutoring

10. Planning

3

5.2; 6.2; 6.3; 6.4; 6.5; 8.2; 8.4; 9.3; 12.4; 12.6;

Instruction with appropriate materials, technology programs in community-based clinical programs

11. Role of the   Teacher

4, 5

5.8; 12.1; 12.3; 12.5; 13.5;

Curricular development, evaluation and self-assessment

12. Technology

2

5.7; 12.4

Annotated List of technology/ sites that supports literacy learning.

 

III.          KNOWLEDGE BASE

 

The theoretical and empirical knowledge base(s) informing the course content and its delivery are guided by the following:

The teacher as a critical thinker/ self-directed professional must understand the difference between empirical research and action research.  See Patterson, L., Santa, C. M. , Short,  K. G., & Smith, K., (1993). Teachers Are Researchers: Reflection and Action. 

 

Stephen Corey (1953) p.6. “We are convinced that the disposition to study, as objectively as possible, the consequences of our own teaching is more likely to change and improve our own practices than is reading about what someone else has discovered regarding the consequences of his teaching.” The process of conducting and reflecting on Action Research is a major part of this class.

 

Adolescent literacy is as important an issue as beginning reading. Many teens do not continue to develop their literacy skills and, as a result, are not reaching their potential.  There are many developmental issues to consider when teaching adolescents.  They need to have motivating reading materials, instruction that encompasses reading comprehension, critical reading, and study strategies across the curriculum.  This requires reading specialists who are trained to respond to the each learner’s unique needs (Moore, Bean, Birdyshaw, & Rycik, 1999). 

 

The unprecedented diversity and complexity of today’s society has created new challenges for students and teachers (Elkins & Luke, 2000).  In order to reach adolescents, it is necessary for teachers to develop new social, intellectual, and discourse relations with students. “Character develops within a social web or environment” (Leming, 1993 p.69). Therefore, building a community for discussion of issues creates an environment within which the adolescent is able to develop his or her character with the positive guidance of teachers and peers.   These may be developed through such approaches as the reading workshop (Atwell, 1987), literature circles (Harvey, 1998), and writing workshops (Graves, 1991) where students have opportunities to travel through literature and life’s challenges (Hynds, 1997). By focusing on comprehension development, teachers learn how to understand reading comprehension better and be able to show instead of tell (Harvey & Goudvis, 2000) students how to use the strategies that thoughtful readers use (Pearson, Dole, Duffy, & Roehler, 1992).  

IV.       RESOURCES

 

·  Required Text/ ** Optional Readings

**Harvey, S. & Goudvis, A. (2000). Strategies that work: Teaching comprehension to enhance understanding. York, ME: Stenhouse.

 

·  Johns, J. L. (2001). Basic reading inventory: Pre-primer through grade twelve and early literacy assessments. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt

 

·     Moore, D. W., Alvermann, D. E.,  & Hinchman, K. A. (2000). Struggling adolescent readers: A collection of teaching strategies. Newark, DE: IRA

 

** Wood, K. D. & Dickinson, T. S. (2000). Promoting Literacy in Grades 4-9: A handbook for teachers and administrators.

·     Articles from refereed journals and on-line resources will be read and presented in class.  

 

**Bibliography

 

Altrichter, H., Posch, P.,  & Smekh, B. (1993). Teachers investigate their work: An introduction to the methods of action research. London: Routledge.

Alverman, D. E., Moon, J. S., & Hagood, M. C. (1999). Popular culture in the classroom: teaching and researching critical media literacy. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

 

Alverman, D. E. (2002). Effective literacy instruction for adolescents. Journal of Literacy Reseach, 34(2), pp. 189- 208.

 

Berliner, D. & Casanova, U. (1993). Putting research to work in your school. New York: Scholastic.

 

Cory, S. M. (1953). Action research to improve school practices. New York: Teachers College Press.

 

Costa, A. L. & Garmston, R. J. (1994). Cognitive coaching: A foundation for renaissance schools. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon.

 

Daniels, H. (1994). Literature circles: Voice and choice in the student-centered classroom. York, ME: Stenhouse.

 

Glanz, J. (1998). Action research: An educational leader’s guide to school improvement. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon.

 

Hopkins, D. (1993). A teacher’s guide to classroom research (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Open University Press.

 

Hubbard, R. S. & Power, B. M.. (1993). The art of classroom inquiry: a handbook for teacher-researchers. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

 

Moje, E. B. Young, J. P., Readence, J. E. & Moore, D. W. (2000). Reinventing adolescent literacy for new times: Perennial and millennial issues. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 43, 400-410.

 

Moore, D. W., Bean, T. W., Birdyshaw, D., & Rycik, J. A. (1999). Adolescent literacy: A position statement. Newark, DE: International Reading Association. 

 

Mills, G. E. (2000). Action research: A guide for the teacher researcher. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

 

Patterson, L., Santa, C. M., Short, K. G., Smith, K. (Eds.).  Teachers are researchers: Reflection and action. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Professional Standards and Ethics Committee of the International Reading Association. (1998).  Standards for reading professionals: A reference for the preparation of educators in the United States.

 

Ruddell, M. R. & Shearer, B. A. (2002). “Extraordinary,” “tremendous,” “exhilarating,” “magnificent”: Middle school at-risk students become avid word learners with the Vocabulary Self-Collection Strategy (VSS).

 

Sagor, R. (1992). How to conduct collaborative action research. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 

 

Schmoker, M. (1996). Results: The key to continuous school improvement. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 

 

Stringer, E. T., (1996).  Action research: A handbook for practitioners. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

See bibliography in each of the course textbooks.  They are excellent resources to begin the literature searches.

 

V.        GRADES

 

Grades will be assigned as follows:

 

[Developing = less than satisfactory] To earn a Developing, some of the requirement must be met but the assignment is not at the satisfactory level.

 

[Basic = satisfactory] To earn a grade of Basic, all requirements of assignment must be met and be at a satisfactory level. 

 

[Proficient = exceeds satisfactory] To earn a grade of Proficient, all requirements of assignment must be met and must exceed the satisfactory level.  This means that assignments are very well done, with evidence of student effort (thought).

 

[Distinguished = model quality] To earn a grade of Distinguished, all requirements of assignment must be met and the content and presentation of the assignments must reflect model quality.  "Model quality" means that in addition to those attributes for an "exceeds satisfactory" assignment, the work reflects exceptional clarity and precision.

 

Rubrics and the conversion to the grading scale:

 

The grading of individual assignments will be using a rubric with a scale from developing (with a factor value of (1), basic (2), proficient (3) and distinguished (4). The rubric levels do not represent equal intervals of increments. These points along a continuum, from low to high, will be weighted and converted to allow use of the above point scale. Each assignment will be weighted with a factor value such as x 1, x 2, x 3, x 4, etc.

 

Example: To determine the points earned, if the assignment is weighted with a factor of 2 and the student earns a distinguished (4), then the total number of points for the assignment is equal to (4 x 2 = 8).  The point values from all assignments and class participation are added to determine the number of points earned in the class. The sum of points is related to the scale below for conversion to letter grades. See the schedule of topics, assignments, and weights for more explanation. 

 

A  = 95 - 100%           B+ = 87 - 89%            C+ = 77 - 79%            D+ = 67 - 69% 

A- = 90 -   94%           B  = 83 - 86%              C  = 73 - 76%             D  = 63 - 66%      

                                    B- = 80 - 82%             C- = 70 - 72%             D- = 60 - 62%

                                                                                                            F = below 60%   

The grade of "IN" (incomplete) will be assigned in accordance with FIU policy.

 

In order to receive a grade of "DR" (Drop), a course must be dropped before 1:00 p.m. on or before February 28, 2004.

 

VI.       Student Responsibilities:

 

Materials / Equipment

 

1.                  Students will download the Florida Curriculum Frameworks/ Sunshine State Standards, Grade Level Equivalents for all levels of Language Arts (pre k- 2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) from the Florida Department of Education web-page at http://www.firn.edu/doe.

2.                  Students may use the internet to download position statements, standards, or other reference resources from the International Reading Association’s website at http://www.reading.org or the Florida Reading Association’s website at http://www.FLReads.org.

3.                  Students may also gain access to information about reading and reading instruction at the website for the Florida Family and Reading Excellence (FLaRE) Center at http://ucfed.ucf.edu/flare. 

4.                  Students are encouraged to bring current books or other text, including newspaper and popular magazine articles (from the popular culture), related to topics being discussed during each class.

 

Quality of Work

 

1.      Assignments must reflect student’s own thought and effort.  Cheating, including recycling another students’ assignment as your own, or plagiarism will result in an F grade for the assignment (this includes exams) and an F grade for the course.  The professors may take further action as described in the Academic Misconduct section of the current FIU student Handbook.

2.      Assignments must be turned in no later than the class meeting at which they are due.  In the event of an absence, the student must make arrangements to have the assignment delivered to class on time.  Late assignments will be reduced one full category on the four-category rubric.

3.      With the exception of those assignments turned in at the end of the course,  assignments that have been turned in on time and which have earned a Developing may be re-worked and resubmitted once, at the next class meeting, for reevaluation.  The maximum grade possible for a resubmitted assignment is a Basic.

4.      All assignments should reflect professional quality – ideas expressed clearly, correct grammar and spelling, and neat in appearance.

 

Attendance:

 

  1. Students are expected to attend ALL class meetings/ tutoring sessions unless prior arrangements have been made.  After an absence, students are responsible for obtaining class notes, information, and/or instructions from classmates.  Students may then request clarifications from the instructor.
  2. Exams will not be given early.  If you must be absent on the day of an exam, you must make arrangements with the instructor prior to the exam to take the exam within one week following the in-class exam.
  3. A student will lose all class participation points if a pattern of absences and /or lateness is established.  If this happens, the student will be unable to earn a course grade higher than a Basic (C).

 

Assignments:

 

  1. All students are expected to read the textbook assignments and be prepared to discuss the content at the class when they are due. 
  2. Tutoring in a clinical setting within teacher teams at the Teen Court building, 5220 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33137. THE READING SCENE is approved by the university IRB, Institutional Research Board.  Students will create a case study report on their student(s) describing a two-part approach to the clinical process: 1) Initial observation, assessment, and goal setting and 2) Interaction, intervention, and post-assessment.  Additionally, the following are required:

a.                  Detailed Planning Notes for each session.  The first hour is for assessment and diagnostic teaching and the second must include intervention, interaction and performance based on the concept of mentoring through adolescent literacy. 

b.                  Field notes from each session with a reflection on your professional growth

c.                   Annotated list of technology /technology sites from your teaching teams that are appropriate for your students in the clinical setting—(These may be used during the sessions to motivate students.)

d.                  Protocol reports for students for IRI, standardized tests, interest inventory, and student interview.

  1. Action Research Report – the development of a research paper that is professional quality, ready to be submitted for publication. This will include your literature review on adolescent literacy instruction.
  2. Final
  3. If you are due to graduate this term, you must show that you have a passing grade report on the Florida Teacher’s Exam for Reading Certification.

 

Lesson Planning Sheet

 

Action Researcher(s):________________________________

 

Student Participant: ______________  Grade in school _____ Instructional Level ___

 

Date: _______________________

 

Time

Assessment Tasks / Diagnostic Teaching

10:00

 

 

10:10

 

 

10:20

 

 

10:30

 

 

10:40

 

 

10:50

 

 

 

Intervention/ Mentoring within Group

11:00

 

 

11:10

 

 

11:20

 

 

11:30

 

 

11:40

 

 

11:50

 

 

12:00

 

 

 

Group Members: _______________________________________________

 

Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Name_________________________                                 Topic _______________________

Rubric: Create a Literature Review

Weight = ____x 3

 

Developing

Basic

Proficient

Distinguished

Missing some part

Has everything, order is not as described

Has everything, mostly in the order described

Has everything in order described

Has selected less than 5 current referred articles from textbook, listed bibliographic information and outlined important points.

Has selected 5 current refereed  articles from textbook, listed bibliographic information and outlined important points from each, to hand in.

Has selected 8 current refereed articles from textbook, listed bibliographic information and outlined important points, to hand in.

Has selected 10 current refereed articles from textbook, listed bibliographic information and outlined  most important points, to hand in

Has underlined or selectively highlighted less than 3 refereed articles.

Has underlined or selectively highlighted 3 refereed articles.

Has underlined or selectively highlighted 4 refereed articles.

Has underlined or selectively highlighted  5 refereed articles from  referred journals.

No literature review or has mentioned  articles (with  ideas expressed  without cohesiveness, logical organization of thought, or correct mechanics).

Has retold the articles (with ideas expressed sequentially, and mostly correct mechanics).

Has synthesized the articles clearly (with  ideas expressed with cohesiveness, some organization of thought, and mostly correct mechanics).

Has synthesized the articles very well (with important ideas expressed with cohesiveness, good organization of thought, and correct mechanics).

 

Self-evaluation_______________________________

Dr. Fine’s evaluation___________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment

 

 

Action Research

 

Purpose(es)

  • To learn how to interpret criterion-reference tests
  • To learn how to take field notes and reflect on one’s own professional growth
  • To learn how to look for patterns in field notes to qualitatively identify patterns

 

Process(es):

  • Use multiple means of assessment: Assessing student with battery of instruments, evaluating snapshot information from county records (criterion-referenced test scores) and other instruments you administer to determine needs
  • Use other means of assessment to triangulate data such as observations, informal reading inventory, work samples
  • After teaching content area strategies, post-test students using informal reading inventory
  • Record on data sheets 
  • After each strategy lesson, write field notes using the following format (adapted from Altrichter, H., Posch, P., & Somek, H., 1995):

A.                 Date:

B.                 Context: Time, location, participants, past experiences that are relevant

C.                 Descriptive Entries: give details about activities, events, dialogue, gestures, intonation, facial expressions, portraits of people, appearances, style of talking/ acting, descriptions of places, facilities, behavior of action researcher

D.                Interpretive Entries: interpretations, feelings, speculations, ideas, hunches, explanations of events, reflections on your own assumptions, prejudices, development of theory and label these notes

a.                  TN – Theoretical notes—explanations related to the research question: Can tutoring by highly qualified teacher help marginalized, adolescent readers get back on track academically?

b.                  MN—Methodological Notes—reflections on models used, ethics, materials, strategies etc.

c.                   PN—Planning notes—reflections for the improvement of practical actions such as how to do something the next time, what you forgot to do, additional information you need to gather

E.                  Reflection on your own professional growth: after all sessions are completed, self-evaluate your planning, instruction, quality of interaction to assess your own professional growth

F.                  Documentation:

(1)   Write thick descriptions of your thoughts and on the process as you implement the action research.

(2)   When you have completed the implementation process, go back to the copies of the field notes and highlight in different colors the events you can identify as being part of significant patterns of behavior, either by you or by those involved.

(3)   Artifact—COPIES of pages in student’s READER’S RESPONSE NOTEBOOK that show and exemplify change such as the steps taken or the procedures used to lead to the growth in comprehension. Attach a note card with your explanation of the artifact.

 

Product(s):

 

  • Protocol reports on assessments (DUE : second week of tutoring, and in end report.)
  • Reader’s Response Notebook pages, copied, to demonstrate growth in comprehension.
  • Entries of field notes from each session you have tutored and implemented intervention  strategies.
  • Your action research report (Due: April 10,2004 )

 

Rubric for Action Research

Weight = __ X

Developing

Basic

Proficient

Distinguished

Has not correctly coded data

Has correctly coded  mostly all data

Has correctly coded  mostly all data

Has correctly coded  all data

Has less than 5 entries for field notes with all the parts included

Has 5 or more entries for field notes with mostly all of the parts included

Has 8 entries for field notes with all the parts included

Has more than 8 entries for field notes with all the parts included

Quality of field notes is poor, capturing little detail.

Quality of field notes is good, capturing some detail.

Quality of field notes is very good, capturing insights with some detail.

Quality of field notes is outstanding, capturing insights with much detail.

Reading Response Notebook pages are poor showing little comprehension by students.

RRN is shows some example of comprehension by students.

Reading Response Notebook pages are very good showing many examples of comprehension by students.

Reading Response Notebook pages are outstanding showing many examples of comprehension by students.

Research report may be less than complete, present some ideas and events, may have little or no interpretation of results

Research report is complete, presents  ideas events as they happened, little interpretation of results

Research report is complete, has a clear presentation of ideas and events, shows logical interpretation of results

Research report is complete, has a clear presentation of ideas and events, shows thoughtful, insightful interpretation of results

Quality of written materials is unprofessional.. 

Quality of written materials is mostly professional. 

Quality of written materials is professional.

 

Quality of written materials is highly professional. 

Presentation of research to class lacks coherence; little evidence of participation in the group work

Presentation of research to class is vague; participation in the group work is uneven

Presentation of research to class is good showing much understanding  participation in a collaborative group

Presentation of research to class is outstanding showing coherence and insight; participation in a collaborative group

 

Self-evaluation_______________________________

Dr. Fine’s evaluation __________________________

 

 

 

 

. 

Summary of Assignment Weights

 

Assignment

Weight

Due Dates

Technology Annotated List of sites for literacy work for adolescents

______ x 1 =         /4

Sat. meeting at Teen Court building.

Tutor 1/17; 1/24; 1/31;   

Field notes, highlighted for key themes, and overall Reflection (1 ˝ to 2 pages from overall experience)

______ x 4  =        /16

Turn in first field notes after first session for feedback; all field notes on 3/10

Protocol Reports 1st set

Protocol Reports 2nd set

______ x 2 =         /8

______ x 2 =         /8

After 2nd session

With case report 4/10

Literature Review

______ x 8  =        /24

3/6

Action Research report (copies of student response notebook work and attached explanations)

______ x 8  =        /32

4/10

 

 

 

                                 Total

                              /100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

Topics

Readings/ Assignments for term

1/10

Overview: the Reading Scene, privacy and security procedures, research,  

The GRADE

Begin reading assigned articles in textbook. Bring sample of outline of first to next class.

˝ hour before tutoring

What is action research? Outline of articles. Tutoring procedures, Orientation of Teen Court procedures, Identification process- IRB papers(Complete for first session)

 

1/17

Tutoring

Begin Assessment

1/24

Tutoring

 

1/31

Tutoring

 

2/7

Tutoring

 

2/14

Tutoring

 

2/21

Tutoring

 

2/28

Tutoring

 

3/6

Tutoring

 

3/13

Tutoring

 

3/20

Tutoring;

 

3/27

NO Tutoring; FIU Spring break

 

4/3

M-DCPS Spring Break

No Tutoring

 

4/10

Presenting cases, Final; Share and evaluate The Reading Scene

Action Research Report Due

 

 

 

 

National Board of Professional Teaching Standards

NBPTS

What teachers should know and be able to do:

 

1.                              Teachers are committed to students and their learning.

2.                              Teachers know the subjects they tech and how to teach those subjects to their students.

3.                              Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.

4.                              Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.

5.                              Teachers are members of learning communities.

 

Basic Reading Inventory

 

Purpose:           The Basic Reading Inventory by Jerry L. Johns is designed to help gather information for instructional decision making in reading. It can be used to estimate the student’s instructional reading level, the level where the student is challenged, but not overwhelmed, where the student can pronounce approximately 95 percent of the words. It also can be used to identify the independent reading level, the level where the student reads fluently with excellent comprehension, and the frustrational level, the level at which the student is unable to pronounce many of the words and/ or is unable to comprehend the material satisfactorily. It also may be used to identify the listening level, the highest level of material that the student can comprehend when it is read to him.

 

Description:      xxxxxxxxx, a twelve-year-old seventh grader, was tested by Dr. Joyce Fine in a classroom at the request of his mother and father.  He was cooperative and seemed comfortable with the situation.

 

Findings:          

Form

Grade

Word Recognition/ in Context

Miscues        Level

Practiced Oral Reading

Quest/ Level

Reading Levels

Listening Level

A

2

0

Indep.

1

Indep.

Indep.

 

A

3

2

Ind./Inst

1 ˝

Indep./Inst.

Indep./Inst.

 

A

4

6

Frust.

1

Indep.

Frust.

 

A

5

5

Frust.

1 ˝

Indep./Inst.

Frust.

 

A

6

7

Frust.

3

Frust.

Frust.

 

B

7

 

 

 

 

 

70%

 

Interpretation:  xxxxxxx is able to read fluently on the second grade level, is instructional on the third grade level, and frustrational at the fourth grade level. His seventh grade listening level indicates that he has the potential to read on grade level with targeted intervention.

            Strengths:

·        xxxxxxxxx is able to predict the meanings of text based on prior knowledge.

·        He possesses a basic sight word reading vocabulary.

·        He keeps his place while reading.

·        He reads silently without vocalization.

            Areas for Growth:

·        xxxxxxxxx would benefit from instruction focusing on using graphophonic information, especially end sounds.

·        He would benefit from instruction in strategies to use context to build meaning.

·        He would also benefit from practice in self-monitoring for meaning. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Research and Research Report

 

Background

Research Types

            A.        Traditional or Empirical Research: Positivism is the philosophical belief that natural phenomena can be explained in an orderly way. The research associated with this is empirical research.  It is the type of science in which variables are manipulated or controlled to test a hypothesis. There is usually an experimental and a control group. It was usually done to educators. 

            B.         Action Research:   Critical Theory which believes in liberation through knowledge, believes in the importance of those involved to be reflective, make decisions, and to take action.  It dates back to Kurt Lewin (1934) who coined the term “action research.”  The researcher is committed to taking action and effecting positive educational change.  The focus can be in a classroom or in across a school or institution. The research methods are generally qualitative.  It is done by educators, themselves. 

Assignment                                                                                                                                        Purpose:

·        To reflect on your own practice, assumptions, beliefs and investigate an issue with other FIU students

·        To enhance professional skills of research, reflection and leadership

Procedures:

·        Think of areas where you have concerns.

·        Decide on a focus question

·        Begin reading and outlining key points from articles related to the issue

·        Apply a strategy / approach, as listed below, with a student(s).

·        Create field notes for each session of the action research. These will be in the appendix.

·        Qualitatively examine the data.  Highlight repeated ideas, patterns and put a label in the margin. 

·        Write an action research paper. This consists of the following:

o       A title- Telling your stance,

o       An abstract - summarizes action research, <150 words including the purpose, description of participants, what participants did, important findings.

o       Literature REVIEW- integrated review of the literature weaving support from the literature

o       Background - why conducting, personalized to you and your student

o       Statement of purpose: goal of Procedures including a numbered, step-by- step listing of what was done, an explanation of pre-treatment and post treatment evaluation (testing, observations etc.) to determine the effectiveness of the action research

o       Method- describe the participants, materials, and procedures

o       Results- Test pre/ post scores on BRI and on GRADE. Qualitative Results -From your field notes and the qualitative review, what patterns arose? 

o        Discussion: What does it all mean? How have the participants changed?

o       Appendices: Highlighted field notes, student work samples, summaries with articles when it is from a source other than our textbook.

o        Due: Notebook with action research report and appendices as listed above. Because of the confidential nature of the report, the notebooks may not be returned.