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Exploration Phase

OUTCOMES & PERFORMANCES:
Prospectus Presentation for Teacher Action Research

Synthesis Phase
academic programs

Master of Science in Education

Sequence For Reflective Practitioner Program

During the analysis phase of graduate coursework at USI, candidates begin the work of further analyzing and developing their program foci. 9 hours of coursework are required during the analysis phase of the program. In order to be formally considered a Master’s candidate, candidates should have completed candidacy forms and presented their Exploration Phase candidacy portfolios. The analysis phase of the program emphasizes preparation of candidates for performance of teacher action research related to their themes and classroom practices.

Research Focus – Reflective Teacher Researcher Model

Teacher education requirements during the exploration phase center on four core areas of the Reflective Teacher Researcher Model (Advanced Instruction, Social Foundations, Human Development, and Curriculum Theory). During the analysis phase, these four themes are further developed as candidates are introduced to the concept of teacher action research and the advanced reflective analysis of their pedagogical skills.

Candidates complete three courses during this phase of the program:

  • 601 Research in Education (3) Introduces the field of educational research. The course emphasizes the understanding of quantitative and qualitative research, teacher action-research, and the evaluation of research reports.
  • 631 Analysis of Instruction (3) Analyzes recent research literature regarding the improvement of instruction. Students examine research articles eacher reflection, teacher effectiveness, cooperative learning, designing instruction to meet the needs of different learning styles, instruction to promote student constructions of meaning, instructional processes leading to portfolio assessment. Students write a review of literature in a chosen area.
  • Final elective class related to teacher action research theme (3).

Outcome for Analysis Phase – Teacher Action Research Prospectus Presentation

The coursework at the analysis phase of Master’s programming will culminate in the creation of a prospectus presentation related to the candidate’s teacher action research project. This project is completed as a final outcome of Education 631, Analysis of Instruction. The presentation will represent an individual candidate’s organization and understanding of course-related and professional development knowledge, skills, and dispositions related to their action research topic.

The prospectus is of a specified format, requiring candidates to create a 6 slide power point with the following information:

Slide 1 - Title, Name, Site of Research
Slide 2 - Research Question
Slide 3 - Pertinent information from literature review
Slide 4 - Method
Slide 5 - Subjects
Slide 6 - General findings to date
Slide 7 - Relevance to teaching and classroom

The prospectus study topic will be presented to a committee of three (which require at least two faculty, one of whom must be the faculty teaching the Synthesis phase Education 674 course during the candidate’s final term) to be chosen by the candidate to review their performance.

Completion of the synthesis phase will only occur after the candidate has:

    1. completed 30 hours of coursework, and
    2. successfully presented their analysis phase teacher action research prospectus.


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