Teaching Researching Reflecting

1
Teaching Researching - Reflecting
ACTION-RESEARCH for teaching librarians
Monica Vezzosi MSc Information Studies
University of Parma Italy e-mail
monica.vezzosi_at_unipr.it
INFORMATION LITERACY is about peoples ability
to operate effectively in an information
society. This involves critical thinking,
information evaluation, conceptualising
information needs. We need something that
emphasises reflective competence and the ability
to continue to learn (Bruce, 2000)
ACTION RESEARCH integrates teaching
and teachers development, curriculum development
and evaluation, research and philosophical
reflection into a unified conception of a
reflective educational practice (Elliot, 1991)
GOALS To support students in developing a
critical information competence To improve
information literacy teaching practice at the
University of Parma To provide evidence of the
value of action-research
METHODS
ACTIVITY
Focus groups Interviews Analysis of students
tasks Peer observation Reflective research journal
Seminar connected to the Ecology course 20 hours
class activity / 15 hours group activity Group
research task in the field of ecology Assignments
- annotated list of resources
- reflective research report
Analysis Focus groups Literature
review Co-operative planning with Ecology teacher
5 focus groups Students needs and expectations
identified
OBSERVE
PLAN
1
2
Interviews Analysis of students tasks Peer
evaluation Self evaluation Students evaluation
of the learning activity
Learning activity Peer observation Teachers
journal
ACT
3
EVALUATE
4
ACTION RESEARCH
WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS
Integration teaching research Self-assessment
and self-development Improvement of teaching
practice Sharing and communication
Time-consuming Not easily transferable Highly
demanding for students and teachers