Supporting research in schools and building a community of practice.
What is Action Research?
Action Research is research conducted in a school by those who work in that school to develop, monitor, assess and reflect on their practice in order to improve an aspect of activity within the school. Action research can drive and develop transformative improvement on any activity – from specific curriculum implementation to broader pedagogy and even school leadership.
What is a Networked Community of Practice?
A Networked Community of Practice is a group of schools networked together, each working on improving their school by establishing a local community of practice with a shared vision or goal – in this case to develop action research in the school – and who learn together, embark on the activity together, and support each other in the process. The University of Birmingham Dubai will connect the network, supporting each school-based Community of Practice to conduct action research within each school by holding regular workshops with the Research Lead who will carry this knowledge back to the school and support their colleagues on research projects.
What is the Research Lead Role and what is required?
The Research Lead Role is a professional development position that will be supported by the University of Birmingham Dubai through monthly workshops. It can be any member of staff at your school who is interested in learning how to do Action Research and will bring this back to the school to empower others to do Action Research in the school by leading the Community of Practice. All staff who participate in Action Research in the school will be invited to the Action Research Conference at the University of Birmingham Dubai to present and showcase their work.
Action Research Network Workshop Schedule
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