Abstracts
Volume 6- Number 2, 2003

Editorial:

V6.2E - Editorial - RAISING YOUR VOICE! EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, THE BASICS, AND PROFESSIONALISM IN ACTION RESEARCH - Kurt W. Clausen , Co-Editor

Papers:

V6.21 - HOW CAN I INCREASE READING ABILITY USING GUIDED READING STRATEGIES? - Deb Opersko, Simcoe School Support Centre

Abstract

As a Grade Two teacher, Deb has undertaken her own action research to find a way to help her students gain a greater understanding of reading. In this narrative article she describes the process she used to help her students, the people who encouraged her and lent a hand in carrying out this project, and the greater insight she gained from having undergone this endeavour.

V6.22 - READER RESPONSE JOURNALS IN SENIOR ENGLISH: REVISITING THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS TO ENHANCE CLASSROOM PRACTICE - Dr. Janet E. McIntosh, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education, Nipissing University

Abstract

This paper examines an English Educator’s action research on her classroom practice for implementation of Reader Response Journals in the Senior English course by Pre-service teachers. She questions the effectiveness of her current strategies and whether they encourage course participants to implement response journals in their own classrooms. New to university teaching, the teacher-researcher faces the challenge of balancing theory and practice in the Faculty of Education course. Preliminary results of an attitude questionnaire completed by course participants serve as the focus for classroom change. Data from the study are presented and analyzed; classroom practice is improved by the teacher-researcher who revisits her initial approach and implements changes to the current course.

V6.23 - HOW CAN I IMPROVE STUDENT LEARNING THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEVERAL STRATEGIES RELATED TO REFLECTIVE PRACTICE? - Jennifer Sztramko, Simcoe Composite School

Abstract

The Career Studies course is a half semester – half credit course presently being offered at the Grade 10 level at my school that students in the OSS curriculum must pass in order to graduate. The high failure rate of students in this course was becoming of great concern to both teachers and administrators. This Action Research project investigated ways to improve success rates in this course through a variety of reflective work that was designed to assist the student and the teacher, as well as maintain the integrity of the course.

V6.24 - ACTION RESEARCH TO IMPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS’ ABILITY TO USE INNOVATIVE INSTRUCTION IN A PHYSICS CLASSROOM IN INDONESIA - Sa’adah Ridwan, The State Junior High School #12, Bandung-West Java, Indonesia and Dr. Kardiawarman, Indonesian University of Education , Bandung-West Java , Indonesia

Abstract

This is a collaborative action research study by a classroom teacher and a university professor looking at how to support student teachers to develop more innovative classroom teaching approaches in physics in a middle school classroom in Bandung , Indonesia . The teacher and professor use a collaborative clinical supervision model to both demonstrate and talk with the student teachers as they develop more hands-on, child-centered instructional practices. The study is the first action research project to be done in Indonesia for a Master’s degree thesis. The study provides learning and advantages for the teacher, professor, and student teachers specifically as well as for the university teacher education program in general.

Announcements:

V6.2A - 46th Annual Ontario Educational Research Council (OERC/CORP) Conference