Job Discussion Forums

[gaijinalways]

I am a little concerned that these mindtools people have taken over you body and soul. Have they by chance begun to teach your classes for you while you remotely watch (I might be interested)?


JDL, theory is nice, but it's only that, theory.

[jdl]

It is only theory until it is put into practice; which, leads to another educational link on that exact topic explaining how research and theory can inform the best instructional practice. The major families of instructional practice are also explained. It is very helpful for the teacher who is looking for a foundation for his self directed professional growth. Thank you for the prompt. The link is:

http://tip.psychology.org/

A teachers skill and repertoire of strategies and techniques is only limited by his/her fear of taking risks. Since knowledge is probably the best support for anyone risking a new teaching strategy the links previously cited may provide the needed information for that "aha" moment when the teacher contemplating a innovation in instruction realizes that what seemed only to be theory is indeed very practical in its application. Of course information, knowledge and experience should be shared for the overall growth of the profession.

I would welcome for my own growth and development any links to discussions on instructional theory and best practice; always interested in developing my skill in this profession.

[jdl]

P.S.

The TIP (Theory into Pratice) link is an amazing starting point for any search into all things educational. TIP is a database of educational instruction and practice sponsored by the Encylopedia of Psychology.

http://tip.psychology.org/

This link may also be of interest to those doing distance studies for that Masters degree. One of the most common complaints I have heard from colleagues is about the lack of research and/or reference material available to them on line.

[gaijinalways]

I believe there is plenty of stuff available online. My uni added a lot more after I finished my Master's.

Personally I am inclined to look at more action research especially when the situations mirror my own. To each his own, glad to see you take your teaching seriously.

[jdl]

Indeed 'action research' has added a fresh quality of immediacy to a field sometimes viewed as esoteric and out of touch. Action research has brought reality to research for many practitioners. The topics are more often than not of immediate interest to practitioners. Action research has had a positive impact upon classroom practice.

Action research is also a fine means by which a thesis or major paper requirement can be fulfilled.

The link below is to Queen's University highlighting some recent practitioner contributions to the Action Research field. These reports aside from being of interest in themselves also provide an array and sample of action research formats that may be of interest to any current current grad students considering action research.

http://resources.educ.queensu.ca/ar/

Gaijinalways, perhaps your action research having an ESL focus would be of particular interest to posters looking for guidance and information on possible thesis/major paper topics. Indeed reading your research would be of practical value to teachers in the field since our experiences do often have a common set of elements. Any contribution regarding the improvement of instructional practice would be very appreciated.