Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the landscapes of practitioner inquiry, including its histories, affiliated paradigms and approaches, as well as ethical considerations.

COURSE DETAILS:

Simon Fraser University
Faculty of Education Field Programs:  M. Ed. in Educational Practice
EDUC 718-5 “Landscapes of Practitioner Inquiry”
 Wednesday evenings September 15 – December 1

“Knowing, and the truth it implies, is therefore, necessarily, a constantly evolving, creative act between self and the world.” (Ladkin, 2005, p. 22)

Description
The word ‘research’ stems from French verb chercher ‘to look for,’ combine with the prefix re, meaning ‘back’ or ‘again.’ To research, therefore, is to ‘look again.’ Building on the skills, knowledge, and dispositions you have developed in the Graduate Diploma Program, this course will support you in continuing to develop your ability to ‘look again’ at your practice and take action.  Education 718 provides an introduction to qualitative research in education, with a particular focus on teacher inquiry methodologies. Together we will explore the theoretical perspectives and assumptions underpinning different qualitative traditions that may inform your inquiry, particularly those located within the participatory paradigm. This course is designed to support you in situating yourself theoretically, and methodologically, as well as professionally and personally. In other words, together we will explore the beliefs and values that influence your teaching and your research, as well as locate your inquiry practice in relation to established communities of scholarship. Together we will explore a variety of methods for data collection and analysis, as well as pertinent issues such as ethics and quality in teacher inquiry. The goal this semester is to develop a proposal for your inquiry that will be implemented next semester.

Required Readings:
A selection of required readings will be provided on Canvas at no cost

Programmatic Capacities:
The M.Ed. EP program aims to develop teachers-learners’ capacity to:
    Deepen and extend a disposition of inquiry, ethical practice, critical and creative reflection and responsiveness to learners as well as communities
    Develop and theorize their own inquiry practice through the investigation of multiple educational theories, philosophies, paradigms, and methodologies
    Inform and articulate their scholarly understanding of various world views and orientations in relation to their educational perspectives 
   Critically and creatively engage in learning communities to situate, further develop, and align their inquiry practice within personally relevant and related paradigms
   Collaborate with multiple communities to extend and augment their relationships and enable an active voice and presence within and beyond the classroom

Expectations:
We expect that members of our cohort will
  Attend all classes*
  Participate in our learning community in meaningful ways in class and out of class by reading the articles, engaging in and leading learning activities, and contributing to discussions**
  Treat our class as a ‘teaching and learning lab’ to experiment and reflect on our pedagogical practices
  Develop, and share your writing, and respond constructively to the drafts of others
  Extend an inclusive, respectful and welcoming atmosphere within our learning community and support the learning of others
  Complete all assignments

*The Masters program is based on a community of learners model in which all members of the cohort contribute to the learning of the group. Additionally, we value the process of our learning as much as we value the products of our learning. Consequently, attendance and participation are highly valued in our program. Please contact me if you experience an unforeseen or professional conflict.

**Please note that there is a certain amount of uncertainty and discomfort that often accompanies meaningful learning, and some learning activities which may not be familiar or comfortable for you. That said, if you have a pre-existing condition or dis/ability, that makes an activity difficult or risky for you, please let me know and I will work with you to devise an alternative activity.

All members of the University community share the responsibility for the academic standards and reputation of SFU. Academic honesty is a condition of continued membership in the university community. Please review the Policy at: http://www.sfu.ca/content/sfu/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

More information can be found on the Student Learning Commons website: http://learningcommons.sfu.ca/strategies/academic-integrity

“Simon Fraser University is committed to creating a scholarly community characterized by honesty, civility, diversity, free inquiry, mutual respect, individual safety and freedom from harassment and discrimination.”

http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html

The foundations of this course have been developed collaboratively by the MEd EP Instructional Team