2010 SW LSRN Conference - Afternoon Research in Context Workshops

South West Learning & Skills Research Network
Annual Conference 2010

"A Road Less Travelled ... Research in the Lifelong Learning Sector"

Thursday 8 July 2010
(10.00 am - 3.30 pm)
at
Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre, Nr Totnes, TQ11 0EG

held in partnership with
The South West Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SWCETT)
The University of Plymouth Higher Education Learning Partnership
Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (HELP CETL)
and
The Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network (WVLLN)

 



Research in Context "How to" Workshops


(1)   "Phrasing Research Questions - Asking the Right Questions"

Led by Gert Biesta, Professor of Education & Director of Research, The Stirling Institute of Education

Doing research looks simple.  You ask a question, collect data, analyse, and you’re done!  But even if research follows this pattern, which it seldom does, much depends on the very first step: asking the right question.  In this workshop we will not only look at some of the more technical aspects of formulating research questions, but will also explore the role of values, politics and critique.

The workshop will be structured around the following seven questions:

  •   What kinds of questions can you ask?
  •   What does a researchable question look like?
  •   How best to connect questions and design?
  •   Can research help you to find your question?
  •   Whose questions should guide the research?
  •   What does it mean to conduct research for (educational) improvement?
  •   How to find a balance between practical engagement and critical distance?

Download the presentation


(2)   "Sharing Your Research with Others"

Led by Becky Turner, Educational Researcher & Developer, HELP CETL at the University of Plymouth

Effective dissemination of the findings of research investigations is an integral aspect of any project, however, people can often underestimate the importance of this activity.  Drawing on examples from the University of Plymouth Partner College Network this session will provide an overview of key dissemination opportunites researchers should explore at different stages of their research.  Forthcoming dissemination opportunties will also be highlighted.

Download the presentation


(3)   "Accessing and Using Existing Research and Literature"

Led by Ann-Marie Bathmaker, Professor of Education, University of the West of Engalnd, Bristol 

An invitation to do less and read more.

Doing practitioner research is not just a matter of looking at our own practices by collecting data about what we do.  An important part of all research involves finding out what is known, exploring what other researchers have found, and entering into the conversations and debates about the area of interest.  Yet engaging with existing research is an often overlooked part of practitioner research.

This session considers:

  •   Some of the sources of research in ‘learning and skills’
  •   Accessing existing research
  •   Evaluating research sources
  •   Entering research debates

Download the presentation and the "read more, ‘do’ less" summary of ideas for how to access research literature


(4)   "Working Together - supporting professional and curriculum development through co-operative inquiry"

Led by Denise Summers, Lecturer in FE/Partnerships Co-ordinator, University of Plymouth

As part of an initial teacher training team for teachers in the Lifelong Learning Sector, we have spent the last three years embedding Education for Sustainable Development into our programmes.  Using a form of action research known as co-operative inquiry (Heron and Reason, 2001), we were able to support each other in developing our knowledge, values and skills in order to embed sustainability within our practice and support our trainee teachers in introducing it to their students.  This session will share experiences and insights from the co-operative inquiry process and how this supported us in our professional and curriculum development and encourage participants to consider how they might use this approach to support their own development.

Download the presentation