Professional Skills
Classroom research and action
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Do you want to undertake a small-scale research project in your classroom? This course provides a framework for investigating teaching and learning in your school, and supports you as a teacher, teaching assistant or other school-based professional as you reflect on your own professional practice. You will be guided through the stages of the action research cycle, and encouraged to consider how your work can contribute towards school improvement and enhance pupil learning. The course is aimed at practitioners across primary and secondary phases.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GE022 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
What you will study
This course is part of a suite of Continuing Professional Development courses (www.openuniversity.co.uk/cpdforteachers) for school practitioners that directly link to their professional practice in the classroom. It starts by exploring the idea of the teacher as researcher and the distinctive features of the action research approach. In the second part, you define and research the area of your own investigation using the extensive resources of the Open University Library and the TeachandLearn Resource Bank to find out what other researchers have looked at in the area and how they have investigated it. You then develop your practice and, having collected data to inform you about the effect of the change, analyse the results, paying particular attention to the impact on pupil learning and further possible modifications and developments. In the final stage you report the findings of your investigation to colleagues and any recommendations for developments in policies or practice.
You will learn
- about the action research cycle and how it can inform you about your teaching and pupil learning in your classroom
- to critically assess different methods for data collection in small-scale action research projects
- to identify how your own practice fits with these approaches
- how to devise and implement a realistic plan for a small-scale project in your school, including choosing appropriate data collection methods
- how to analyse your data to identify the impact on pupils’ learning and further research and developments.
The strong link between course learning and your work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. The course will take 30 hours to study and includes web text, collaboration, self-assessment questions and activities. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!
The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University from its years of expertise in work-based learning:
- The convenience of accessing its clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the dedicated website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
- The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify study materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
- A work-based activity helping you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
- Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your continuing professional development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (NB The course does not carry academic credit points.)
Entry
Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to be working in an educational environment. The course assumes a familiarity with educational terminology.
For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the final submission date is available when you register for the course.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The study materials are delivered online. Learners who use screen readers or who cannot use a mouse will not be able to access some materials or some activities without assistance. Written transcripts of the audio interviews are available on the website. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our publication Meeting Your Needs.
Study materials
What's included
All learning materials, exercises, study support and work-based activity are delivered entirely online.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Learner support
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the GE022 forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
Work-based activity
The work-based activity for this course is a written report or presentation, and has been designed as an integrated ongoing activity that you submit at the end of your study. It will allow you to reflect on your learning and how to use it in your professional work.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate which you can use to document your commitment to continuing professional development in your personal portfolio, or to provide evidence to employers or professional body.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GE022 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Study explained
- Special fee arrangements
- - the OU has relationships with many professional bodies, and as part of those relationships members may be entitled to special fee arrangements.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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