Digging Deeper Into Action Research: A Teacher Inquirer's Field Guide

Take your great idea to the next level with action research How-and when-can we find time to conduct meaningful action research? Great ideas and thought-provoking questions can only blossom through methodical inquiry. Nancy Fichtman Dana steps in as your action-research coach and leads you on a journey through wonderings to real change in your classroom. From framing your question to presenting your research, this guide will encourage, challenge, and ultimately lead you through the action research process. Teachers, students, and action-research coaches alike will learn how to: Reframe initial wonderings into pointed inquiries Creatively analyze both qualitative and quantitative data Draw action-research topics out of ordinary discussions with colleagues Share findings with others to help them improve as well With real-life vignettes, self-guided worksheets, and an included DVD, Digging Deeper into Action Research is your go-to guide each time you embark on a new journey toward professional growth.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures Foreword by Marilyn Cochran-Smith Preface Acknowledgments Introduction to the Inspire to Inquire DVD About the Author How to Use the Inquiry Books 1. Why Do Teacher Research Anyway? Teacher Research Defined How to Define Your Research Why It′s Important: The 5 Es 2. Developing and Fine-Tuning Your Wondering Wondering Defined How to Define Your Wondering The Wondering Litmus Test 3. Developing and Fine-Tuning Your Research Plan Research Plan Defined How to Define Your Research Plan The Inquiry Plan Litmus Test 4. Analyzing Your Data Data Analysis Defined How to Avoid Data Analysis Paralysis The Data Analysis Litmus Test 5. Presenting Your Research Presentation Defined How to Define Your Presentation The Presentation Litmus Test 6. On Your Way: Teacher Research as a Way of Being in the World Inquiry Stance Defined How to Define Your Stance Living the Life of an Inquirer References Index

About the Author :
Nancy Fichtman Dana is professor of education and distinguished teaching scholar at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in Hannibal Central Schools, New York. Since earning her PhD from Florida State University in 1991, she has been a passionate advocate for teacher inquiry and has worked extensively in supporting schools, districts, and universities in implementing powerful programs of job-embedded professional development through inquiry across the United States and in several countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, China, South Korea, Estonia, Slovenia, Spain, and Portugal. She has published 12 books and more than 100 articles in professional journals and edited books focused on her research exploring teacher and principal professional development and practitioner inquiry. Dana has received many honors for her teaching, research, and writing. Among them are the Association of Teacher Educators Mentoring and Distinguished Research in Teacher Education awards, the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate’s David G. Imig Distinguished Service Award, the National Staff Development Council (now Learning Forward) Book of the Year Award, and was one of three finalist in Baylor University’s prestigious Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching 2020 competition. Before joining the faculty at University of Florida in 2003, she worked at The Pennsylvania State University for 11 years, creating and launching their award-winning inquiry-based Professional Development School program with the State College Area School District. At the University of Florida, she worked to embed inquiry as a signature pedagogy into the undergraduate teacher education program, as well as developed and taught three popular classes on inquiry at the master’s and doctoral levels. In  partnership with the Lastinger Center for Learning, Dana led the development and implementation of inquiry-based professional development for teachers across the state that included  several of the nation’s largest school districts.  Further, she was instrumental in the development of UF’s Teacher Leadership for School Improvement Program and Professional Practice Doctorate in Teachers, Schools, and Society, both national award winning programs that highlight inquiry as a signature program feature and have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 Online Graduate Education Programs in the nation.

Review :
"This is THE book to read for any educator who ever found themselves asking, ′What just happened?!?′ If you like the idea of having the power to find your own solutions to your teaching problems, this is the key to your freedom, and satisfaction in your teaching career!" "This book supports teacher researchers in ′living the life of an inquirer′ by providing specific advice for designing, conducting, and sharing the results of inquiries that are focused on student learning, as well as empowering practitioners to add their voices and knowledge to an educational field that is ready to push back against the misinformed, rigid, anti-teacher rhetoric that is currently all the rage in the U.S." "This book is an essential companion resource and provides the right supports for teachers as they investigate the world of teacher inquiry and action research. It also is capable of standing on its own for a teacher who is just beginning their journey into the world of action research. It is easy to read, provides a clear learning and teaching target and makes a compelling argument for teachers to investigate inquiry and data analysis in the classroom." "Nancy Dana has done it again! In clear, accessible, and empowering ways, Dana uses Digging Deeper Into Action Research: A Teacher Inquirer’s Field Guide to build on her substantial body of work in the field of practitioner research. Speaking to experienced teacher researchers, those new to the concept of teacher research, graduate students, undergraduates, school-based instructional coaches, and a host of others, Dana reiterates the essential components from her other books while allowing the reader a plethora of reflective, yet practical, exercises to deepen the work of practitioner inquiry. I cannot wait to share this book with my university and school-based colleagues, to use it with my students, and to re-engage with the process of teacher research myself!" "Dana′s experience in inquiry, skills in research, focus on collaboration, and professional and respectful approach give it the power and authenticity needed to be effective. This professional and respectful approach accomplishes her goal for teacher inquirers to: "engage, enable, expand, express, and embrace." The text engages learners of inquiry, the scaffolded approach enables inquirers to build their skills, the questions expand thinking, the examples, charts, and outlines provide guidance in practicing inquiry, and the depth of the text and references embrace the complexity of both teaching and inquiry. As educators we look for ways not only to inform, but also to inspire. This teacher inquirers′ field guide accomplishes both." "Digging Deeper Into Action Research will serve as a guide for teachers and inquiry coaches in our district as we strive to produce powerful, results-driven inquiry-oriented professional learning communities as a professional growth process within our evaluation system." "This text is an invaluable resource, equally appropriated for those engaged in inquiry and for those coaching others in the inquiry process. In the book and in the accompanying video features, readers will learn from the example of real teachers engaged in and learning from the research process. This is the resource we have been waiting for!" "Dana has created a smart go-to field guide that offers busy practitioners an inspiring, yet practical, approach to thoughtful pursuit of questions that drive effective teaching and learning.  She has crafted a powerful argument for why teachers must understanding inquiry as stance and then she shows teachers how to develop this stance as a foundation for their own self-directed, systematic, job-embedded professional learning. Digging Deeper into Action Research offers deeply grounded and inspiring support for teacher to learn from and with each other in the context of their everyday contributions to student learning." "Digging Deeper into Action Research can be used as both a trusted guide, and as a provocateur. Educators need both as they develop an inquiry stance and embrace the complexity of teaching, with all of the inherent tensions and dilemmas. Truly transformational learning—the kind that results in improved learning for students—requires that the learner be transformed him or herself. Engaging in the process of quality action research as described by Nancy Dana will lead to such transformation."