Secondary PGCE Training for Senior Professional Tutors and Subject Mentors

1. Secondary PGCE Training for Senior Professional Tutors and Subject Mentors • to understand the requirements of the Classroom-Based Enquiry (CBE) Assignment Mark Jones (Module Leader) 20 January 2016.

2. Classroom Based Enquiry • Please refer to pages 13-15 in the SPT Handbook to understand the role of the SPT in supporting the trainee or trainees in your school in successfully completing their classroom based enquiry. • Key date is for the proposal and annotated bibliography to be reviewed by the SPT between 7 and 18 March, 2016.

3. understand why teachers research their classroom practice How do trainees view themselves at the moment ? There is more than one way of doing things Teachers plan, implement and evaluate Theory and practice are intimately linked in ‘living educational theories’ Teaching is a values driven activity Practice must take account of context Teacher as ‘reflective practitioner’ Teacher as technician • Implies just one right way of doing things • Teachers implement plans handed down • Theory is externally pre-determined • Values are unquestioned • Significance of context is ignored

4. understand why teachers research their classroom practice • Teacher as ‘reflective practitioner’ Distinguishes ‘reflection in action’ and ‘reflection on action’ • ‘Reflection in action’ is in the moment and often implicit • ‘Reflection on action’ is after the event and is a conscious attempt to improve future action (Schön, 1983) Image removed

5. understand why teachers research their classroom practice BERA-RSA (2014) Research and the Teaching Profession; building the capacity for a self-improving education system. Final report of the BERA-RSA Inquiry into the role of research in teacher education. London: BERA. Available from: https://www.bera.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/BERA-RSA-Research-Teaching-Profession-FULL-REPORT-for-web.pdf [Accessed 5 January 2016]

6. understand why teachers research their classroom practice First, the content of teacher education programmes may be informed by research-based knowledge and scholarship, emanating from a range of academic disciplines and epistemological traditions. ŸSecond, research can be used to inform the design and structure of teacher education programmes. ŸThird, teachers and teacher educators can be equipped to engage with and be discerning consumers of research. ŸFourth, teachers and teacher educators may be equipped to conduct their own research, individually and collectively, to investigate the impact of particular interventions or to explore the positive and negative effects of educational practice. (BERA-RSA, 2014b, pp. 10-11) BERA-RSA (2014) Research and the Teaching Profession; building the capacity for a self-improving education system. Final report of the BERA-RSA Inquiry into the role of research in teacher education. London: BERA. Available from: https://www.bera.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/BERA-RSA-Research-Teaching-Profession-FULL-REPORT-for-web.pdf [Accessed 5 January 2016]

7. understand why teachers research their classroom practice Teacher as researcher • reviews current practice in order to identify an aspect to investigate • plans a way forward • tries it out and consciously notices what happens • reviews and evaluates • modifies practice as a result (after McNiff, 2002) Image removed

8. understand why teachers research their classroom practice Action Research ‘The main role of action research is to facilitate practitioners to study aspects of practice – whether it is in the context of introducing an innovative idea or in assessing and reflecting on the effectiveness of existing practice, with the view of improving practice’ (Koshy 2005, p. xii) Image removed

9. know the difference between research methodology and methods Methodology Methods Case study Document scrutiny Action Research Observation Evaluation Questionnaire Ethnography Interview Grounded Theory Focus Group Phenomenology In much practitioner research methodology is used synonymously with approach. Wilson (2013) suggests the methodological approaches of case study and action research as most appropriate to school-based research. Whatever the purpose of the research, essentially there are three main approaches utilised within methods: - analysis of documents, (including visuals and artefacts) - observing - questioning.

10. understand why teachers research their classroom practice Action Research • is practitioner based research • has a focus on classroom-based concerns • involves intervention • is participatory • generates deeper understanding of the concern • is a form of self-reflective practice • relies on a cyclical process (O‘ Leary 2004, p. 141) ‘Action research is about working towards practical outcomes, and also about creating new forms of understanding, since action without understanding is blind, just as theory without action is meaningless.’ (Reason and Bradbury, 2001, p.2 cited by Koshy, 2005, p.9)

11. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Action Enquiry Cycle (UWE, 2015 , p. 14)

12. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Identify a theme or area of interest. What can a trainee choose?

13. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Identify a theme or area of interest. Literacy Assessment for learning (Jones, 2015, p.115)

14. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Refining the theme into a specific question to investigate Russian Doll principle Goldilocks test Image removed Image removed Getting to the very heart of what it is you are researching. Involves phrasing and rephrasing your question to narrow down the investigation. Is the question too big or too small? Is it too hot or too cold? Is it just right? How can I improve Year 9 lower ability students’ knowledge and application of key mathematical vocabulary? How can I encourage Year 7 students to adopt an enquiry approach in lessons?

15. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Suporting trainees to refine the theme into a specific question to investigate Assessment for learning Literacy across the curriculum: mathematics ? What are the most effective ways to get students to take on feedback? What are the most effective ways of getting students to remember key mathematical vocabulary? How can I get Year 9 students to demonstrate their knowledge of key mathematical vocabulary ? How can I get my year 7 to take more notice of my written feedback ? How can I encourage my Year 7 top set students to engage with written feedback to improve their work? How can I scaffold Year 9 lower ability students to improve their knowledge and application of key mathematical vocabulary? What aspects of their work ? Which topic?

16. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Plan a small scale intervention to try out in the classroom. What is an intervention? An intervention is a small change in the trainee’s practice e.g. implementing a new idea, approach or strategy with one class, a small group of pupils or an individual pupil. Use key questions instead of levelled objectives in six lessons during geography of crime topic with 7B during April, 2016. Try three different ‘key word’ starters over first 3 weeks of lessons with Year 9 (set 4) after Easter.

17. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Critically review a range of recent literature and research related to the theme. What evidence can the trainee collect to show the current situation?

18. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods Geography of Crime What types of crime occur in our area? Where do most crimes occur in our locality? Why are some parts of our locality safer to live than others? Carry out the intervention Trainees also need to collect evidence during and after the intervention to inform their written evaluation of the impact.

19. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods ITE Secondary Training Programme 2015 – 2016 Review Points RP Lesson observation (mentor) Classroom Based Enquiry ModuleComponent B: Written evaluation 3750 words (appendices: includes the proposal template and annotated bibliography) Deadline Wed 1 June 2016 Classroom Based Enquiry ModuleComponent A Presentation of proposal and annotated bibliography (500-750 words) Comp. A equivalent to 1250 words Between 7 and 18 March 2016 O Lesson observation (UWE tutor) O SPT meeting S Mentor meeting m Assignment Level 3 Level M Assignment 10 days 6 -17 June 27 May Proposal Training Review days 23 24 March Carry out intervention 5 days 20-24 June Proposal m m m m m m S S S S S S O O O O O

20. be ready to plan one cycle of a small scale classroom-based enquiry and select appropriate research methods ITE Secondary Training Programme 2015 – 2016 Review Points RP Lesson observation (mentor) Classroom Based Enquiry ModuleComponent B: Written evaluation 3750 words (appendices: includes the proposal template and annotated bibliography) Deadline Wed 1 June 2016 Classroom Based Enquiry ModuleComponent A Presentation of proposal and annotated bibliography (500-750 words) Comp. A equivalent to 1250 words Between 7 and 18 March 2016 O Lesson observation (UWE tutor) O SPT meeting S Mentor meeting m Assignment Level 3 Level M Assignment 10 days 6 -17 June 27 May Proposal Training Review days 23 24 March Carry out intervention 5 days 20-24 June Proposal m m m m m m S S S S m S S O O O O O

21. understand what is expected at the proposal stage Example of part of an annotated bibliography (500-750 words) Bartlett, S. and Leask, M. (2009) Improving your teaching: an introduction to practitioner research, reflective practice and evidence-informed practice. In. Capel, S., Leask, M. and Turner, T. eds. (2009) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School A companion to school experience 5th ed. London: Routledge, pp. 300-309. The authors stress the phrase ‘evidence-informed’ practice which moves the teacher beyond reflective practitioner and encourages their use of research and data to critically reflect on their teaching. The chapter helped me to understand why practitioners often use action research. The chapter introduced the range of data collection methods available to teacher researchers and clarified for me the importance of keeping a research diary or reflective journal during the research process as a source of data. The definitions of quantitative and qualitative data (p.306) led me to realise that the latter would be the main source of evidence in my small-scale enquiry. Additionally this chapter provided a useful table on ethical considerations which I adapted into a checklist to support my ethics statement in my proposal. Black, P., Harrison, C., Lee. C., Marshall, B. and Wiliam, D. (2002) Working inside the Black Box Assessment for Learning in the Classroom London: nferNelson This booklet was written based on research into assessment practices in six secondary schools in two local authorities and followed the Inside the Black Box (1998) publication. I found this booklet very accessible as it was aimed at classroom practitioners and presented strategies to support ‘Assessment for Learning’, for example approaches to questioning. Of particular relevance for my enquiry was the discussion about ‘open’ and ‘closed’ tasks and their relative inclusion in different subjects (p.17). In addition the final section of the booklet reinforced for me the importance of discussion with colleagues during the implementation of new initiatives and changes in practice. This prompted me to discuss my proposed intervention with the class teacher and subject mentor. Word count 243 words (excluding titles)

22. understand issues of access, ethics, validity and generalisability Access and ethics • All work must be undertaken within an explicit code of ethics, as specified in BERA (2011) guidelines • In undertaking action research, the primacy of your professional responsibilities as a teacher must always be respected • You do not need the permission of pupils, colleagues and parents to undertake action research that is close to normal reflective practice However, it is helpful to share elements of your project and process with pupils and colleagues to promote shared ownership of the improvement of learning • Any participant has the right to withdraw from providing additional time or information to your enquiry, beyond what is part of their normal relationship to you as a teacher, and they need to be informed of this at the outset • You must endeavour to protect participants from educational, physical and psychological harm at all points in the research • You are required to ensure confidentiality/anonymity of participant identity and data, beyond that already in the public domain

23. Reference List BERA (2011) Revised Ethical Guidelines for educational research [online] Available from: www.bera.ac.uk/system/files/3/BERA-Ethical-Guidelines-2011.pdf[Accessed 4 February 2013]. Burton, D. and Bartlett, S. (2005) Practitioner Research for Teachers. London: Sage Furlong, J. and Maynard, T. (1995) Mentoring Student Teachers: The Growth of Professional Knowledge. Abingdon: Routledge. Hitchcock, G. and Hughes, D. (1995) Research and the teacher. London: Routledge. Koshy, V. (2005) Action Research for improving practice: a practical guide. London: Paul Chapman Publishing Maykut, P. and Morehouse, R. (1994) Beginning qualitative research. A philosophic and practical guide,  London: Falmer Press. McNiff, J. (2002) Action research for professional development: concise advice for new action researchers [online] Available from: http://www.jeanmcniff.com/ar-booklet.asp [Accessed 25 January 2013]. O'Leary, Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: Sage Schön, D. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner: how professionals think in action. Aldershot: Ashgate. Wlison, E. ed. (2009) School-based research: a guide for education students. London: Sage.

24. Example of trainee directed study task: Watch the following 13 minute video clip • How does the teacher share her research ideas with the pupils? • What are the ethical considerations in this research? • How is student voice data collected? • What is the informing theory/ perspectives behind the research? • Is the teacher part of a community of practice? • What evidence of critical analysis of student voice data is there? • How reliable is the data? http://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/Pupil-Voice-and-Assessment-for-Learning-6044027/