Research Goals
I find that my research goals tend towards design/development goals. If we can define “good” research as that which improves the human condition, our aim should be to tie theory to practice, and then use that practice to refine theory. During this past fall semester of EDIT 8990, we spent time discussing what makes good research and this portion of our collective discussion stuck with me. In deciding to return to school, I wanted to find a direction that would allow me to make a contribution in the field of education at the teacher level. During my Masters degree and now during my doctoral program, I have been struck with how much research and knowledge there is about learning, teaching, using technology...and just efforts to make education more effective. But how do we take that knowledge and understanding and move it out into the world on a large scale? There are pockets of teachers, schools and programs, but is it possible on a large scale?
Design-based research interested me because of its iterative nature combining theory and practice and then using practice to improve theory. However, the time element involved makes me wonder if I can find my place in this arena during my doctoral studies. Is it possible to begin to move in this direction in small ways? Currently, I am involved with shooting and editing video of teacher best practice for the Georgia Performance Standards. I have submitted a proposal to AECT to present a 30 minute session entitled: Creating Classroom Video of Teacher Best Practices to Affect Change in Teacher Pedagogy. This presentation is directed at the more practical end of using video in professional development. However, I am finding that there is opportunity for research in the use of video in education and especially in professional development. As Allan Collins remarked in "Understanding Design Research" Video Conference, video provides an opportunity to study the practice of teaching and learning. He noted there was a need to build theory around that. I am going to have to read more about this.
Design-based research interested me because of its iterative nature combining theory and practice and then using practice to improve theory. However, the time element involved makes me wonder if I can find my place in this arena during my doctoral studies. Is it possible to begin to move in this direction in small ways? Currently, I am involved with shooting and editing video of teacher best practice for the Georgia Performance Standards. I have submitted a proposal to AECT to present a 30 minute session entitled: Creating Classroom Video of Teacher Best Practices to Affect Change in Teacher Pedagogy. This presentation is directed at the more practical end of using video in professional development. However, I am finding that there is opportunity for research in the use of video in education and especially in professional development. As Allan Collins remarked in "Understanding Design Research" Video Conference, video provides an opportunity to study the practice of teaching and learning. He noted there was a need to build theory around that. I am going to have to read more about this.