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| What happens?
Summary and follow-up
In this chapter we have learnt more about how we can
observe, analyse and reflect upon the changes that we may
make in our teaching as a result of doing Exploratory Action
Research. We have learnt when and how we can observe
the effects of these changes, and the difference between
noticing and interpreting them during the evaluation
process. We have also practised looking critically at
indicators of change and have reminded ourselves why
triangulation is an important part of showing us that change
has really happened. Finally, we have seen how, when
teachers reflect on Exploratory Action Research, they often
notice more fundamental changes – changes in ‘mindset’
– in how they view learners, their colleagues, themselves,
and the teacher development process.
The change that can happen inside you, as a teacher (even
when you were not expecting or planning this), can be one
of the most important findings of Exploratory Action
Research – and one that it is good to highlight when you
come to share your findings, as we shall consider in the final
chapter.
Follow-up
Camila, whose challenging situation you first came across
in Chapter One, did an Exploratory Action Research study
to help some of her students. She was particularly
interested in supporting those students who were part of an
inclusion programme. Please read Camila’s story here and
answer the questions below:
http://bit.ly/Camila-Villalobos
1. What changes did Camila introduce in her class?
2. How did she evaluate its effects?
3. What did Camila learn from this experience?
9. Where do I go
from here?
In the previous chapters of this book we have invited you to take a journey of
exploration and action. In that journey we have asked you to reflect about your
practice, identify an area to explore, plan an exploration, explore by collecting
data, analyse and interpret data, suggest an action plan, implement the action
plan and evaluate its effects. We have supported you in this journey by looking
in detail at each of the key steps in the Exploratory Action Research process.
Now we’ve reached the top step. So, where do you go from here?
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