Unit 1: Introduction to Educational Research


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Unit introduction:

This first unit jumps right in to major concepts, issues, and skills related to understanding, using, and conducting educational research. I don’t honestly expect that you will become a devout researcher but I do expect you to make a genuine effort to learn the skills, knowledge, and dispositions related to structured inquiry — as I believe strongly that those things, if used wisely, can help you become a better teacher.

The first unit begins with a broad overview of the two major camps in research — those belonging to the quantitative tradition and those belonging to the qualitative tradition. There are fundamental differences between these two camps that separate them in terms of their view of the world, methods of inquiry, tools, analysis, sought outcome… basically everything. After the overview, we’ll take the time to explore 4 more specific types of research within each of these two broad camps. By the end of the unit, you should have a decent perspective on the basic landscape of educational research.

Before you get started on any reading for this class... go to my library (linked in the navigation bar above) and download the knowledge survey (#35) - take this little pre-test before you begin reading. Don't worry if you don't know any of the answers... this is totally a pre-test, just for fun, but we will use the data to compute some statistics later in the class. Your students feel the same way when you give them a pre-test for your work sample... that's why I call it a knowledge survey... did it lessen the sting? We'll score the pre-test on the first class meeting - on June 23rd.

So… after completing the pre-test, go to the library and download Chapter 1 (#29). Read it carefully and complete the activity that goes with the chapter (also found in the library - called Chapter 1 activity - #30 - not the ones in the back of the chapter but #30 in my library!). This is a great little summary cheat sheet that will give you most of the important ideas of this class all in one place! In about a week, I’ll provide access to the answers to the activity so you can check your own understanding and make sure you’re on the right track. Bring your initial work on this activity to class on Saturday, June 23rd. Remember, this class is about honest learning — not just jumping through hoops.

Mark