Research for Educators

Front Cover
Thomson/Social Science Press, 2006 - Education - 214 pages
Rather than dichotomising the teaching of research methods into quantitative and qualitative areas, this book will use the approach of following a research process from the germination of ideas to the communication of findings. This text aims to do two things: first, to emphasise that teachers are consumers of research and therefore need to understand how research is conducted to make more informed decisions about the trustworthiness of research findings; second, to emphasise that teachers are researchers in their classroom as they operate as reflective practitioners.Research for educators seeks to provide:* A balance between qualitative and qualitative coverage* Examples that are relevant to students' professional experiences* Book organisation to reflect the inquiry process, rather than separate, unrelated chapters* Written at a level that is appropriate for undergraduate students but also applicable for introductory graduate courses* Emphasis on career-long professional development, and on information for research oriented students, which is particularly important in an educational climate where teachers have to meet the demands of national profiles as well as the need for teacher accountability with Quality Assurance (TQM) and,* Increased the emphasis on the teaching of inquiry and information skills to school students; developing teachers' knowledge and skills is a vital part of their ability to teach this as discipline to their own students.Research for Educators is the first Australasian text on the market to address research in education. This text is suitable for students undertaking research in their education courses.

About the author (2006)

Lisa Kervin is a Professor in Language and Literacy in the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Wollongong, where she also leads research on Play, Curriculum and Pedagogy in Early Start. Lisa's current research interests are focused on young children and how they engage with literate practices and she is currently involved in research projects funded by the Australian Research Council focused on young children and writing, digital play and interaction. She has researched her own teaching and has collaborative research partnerships with teachers and students in tertiary and primary classrooms and prior-to-school settings. Dr Wilma Vialle is an Associate Professor in Educational Psychology and Gifted Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Wollongong. She is the author of several books, chapters and articles on child psychology and gifted education. Her major research interests are in intelligence and giftedness with a particular emphasis on equity issues. Jan Herrington is Professor of Education at Murdoch University.Jan's recent research focuses on authentic learning, mobile learning and design-based research. Tony Okely is Director of the Early Start Research Institute and a Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong. His research interests are in interventions to improve motor development, promoting physical activity and preventing unhealthy weight gain in children and adolescents.

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