Action Research for Student Teachers

Much to the surprise of anyone who meets him now, when he was a young man, Colin Forster spent two years working as an outdoor activities instructor and it was during this time that he developed an interest in education.  He began his primary teaching career in south west London before moving to Gloucestershire, where he continued to gain school leadership experience.  He is currently a senior lecturer in primary education at the University of Gloucestershire, where he has gained considerable experience of primary teacher education course leadership and in supporting students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, with research projects focused on improving practice.  His areas of interest include primary science, behaviour management and action research and he has undertaken research into children’s experience of homework in the primary years.  Rachel Eperjesi knew she wanted to be a teacher from the age of 5.  However, some rather poor careers advice led her to embark on a medical degree, which quickly resulted in her declaring it ′too messy′ and she decided to follow her heart into teaching instead.  After completing a BEd Hons, Rachel taught in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (also quite messy) in Gloucestershire, as well as undertaking English consultancy for the local authority.  She now works at the University of Gloucestershire, lecturing in primary English and professional studies, as well as currently leading the School Direct PGCE Primary course. Rachel has supported many students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, with research projects focusing on improving their educational practice.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Part One: Planning and preparing for your action research project
Chapter 2: Identifying a focus for your action research project
Chapter 3: Defining clear enquiry objectives
Chapter 4: Engaging with the literature
Chapter 5: Considering ethical issues
Chapter 6: Planning to gather data
Part Two: Undertaking your action research project
Chapter 7: Ethics in action
Chapter 8: ‘Capturing’ your evidence
Chapter 9: Evaluating as you go
Part Three: Writing your action research project report
Chapter 10: Writing the introduction to your action research report
Chapter 11: Writing the literature review
Chapter 12: Writing the enquiry design or research plan
Chapter 13: Writing the implementation and analysis section
Chapter 14: Writing the conclusion to your action research report
Chapter 15: Conclusion