Turning teaching into research

1
Turning teaching into research

• Opportunities for subjects in the Deanery of
  Arts and the Community

2
What is Action Research?

• The primary aim of action research is to solve a
  problem within the process of the research.
• In the context of teaching your subject, it
  contributes both to pedagogical knowledge and to
  the subsequent modification of your teaching
  practice and your students learning.
• It is a cyclical process of planning, action,
  and investigating the state of affairs after
  action has occurred Lindsay, Breen Jenkins
  (2002)

3
How to get funding / support

• PAR funding at Hope
• The Higher Education Academy's Connects
  serviceshttp//www.connect.ac.uk
• HEA subject network
• PALATINE (Dance, Drama Music) offering up to
  5,000 for learning and teaching projects (and 30
  for case studies)
• ART DESIGN MEDIA offering up to 300 for case
  studies

4
Applying for this years PAR funding

• 5,000 available
• Normally, 1000 maximum for each project
• The overall aim of the funding is to develop
  pedagogical research as an important element of
  Liverpool Hopes learning and teaching strategy  

5
Specific aims for funded PAR projects

• Inspire and disseminate new ways of thinking
  about teaching and students learning by
  identifying issues that are of concern to the
  academic community at Hope
• Take action to improve professional pedagogical
  practice that will benefit students and staff at
  Hope
• Provide research evidence from which to make
  informed decisions about pedagogical developments
  
• Promote evidence-based decision and policy making
  in learning and teaching
• Generate external sources of funding for further
  pedagogical research
• Continue to build on Liverpool Hopes reputation
  in the field of learning and teaching

6
Where to get help and advice

• Your Learning and Teaching Fellow David Walters
  (special interest in assessment)
• Lin Norton (special interest in all forms of
  pedagogical research) ext 3643
• 3. Tessa Owens LT fellow (special interest in
  e-learning)
• 4. Paul Rooney L T Fellow (special interest in
  supporting students)
• Tim Griffiths LT Fellow ( special interest in
  CPD)
• 6. Steve Perrin (L T Fellow (special interest in
  IPD)

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How to publish your research

• ART, DESIGN MEDIA has its own journal ADCHE -
  Art, Design and Communication in Higher Education
• A refereed journal with a learning and teaching
  focus for art, design and communication within
  higher education. This peer-reviewed journal is
  published three times a year and seeks
  contributions.
• PALATINE has newsletters and links to journals
  in Dance, Drama/Theatre Studies, Music and Music
  Education

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PRIME (Pedagogical Research In Maximising
Education)
PRIME focuses on all aspects of pedagogical
research in higher education. 1st issue out now!
The aim is to provide a respected journal
where colleagues can disseminate their
pedagogical research and learning and teaching
initiatives. PRIME is also intended to be a
platform from which colleagues can go on to
develop articles that are considered suitable
into fully fledged papers that can be submitted
to national and international pedagogical
journals. Advice and support will be given.
9
PAR symposium call for contributions

• Thursday 16th June
• Learning and teaching insights, innovations and
  interventions
• A one day event that runs all day (9-7.30) so
  colleagues can dip in and out
• Varied programme of presentations (1/2 hour)
• Early evening buffet and wine

10
Advice on project planning

• Identify a project for which there is a teaching
  or learning need and seek innovative ways of
  addressing the issues. (Charles Juwah, Robert
  Gordon University)
• Keep the project realistichave SMART objectives,
  look for opportunities to disseminate information
  both internally and externally (Bernard Moss
  Susan Wright, Staffordshire University

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How to turn a learning/teaching issue into a
research project

• ITDEM
• Identifying a problem/paradox/ issue/difficulty
  
• Thinking of ways to tackle the problem
• Doing it
• Evaluating it
• Modifying future teaching. Norton
  (2001)

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Using the ITDEM process

Identifying the issue- The lottery exercise
Thinking of ways of tackling it- pool our
suggestions Doing it (if a real
project) Evaluating it pool our
suggestions Modifying practice (if a real
project)