READ 581: Action Research in Literacy Leadership (3 cr)

COURSE
DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to educational research primarily focusing on "teacher conducted research" called Action Research. The purpose of this course is to develop the educator's knowledge and skills in teacher research to assist them in becoming literacy leaders. Students will learn how to use action research as a reflective tool in assessing the effectiveness of their literacy instruction/school literacy programs in relationship to student learning outcomes. This course will focus on the following phases for conducting action research: identifying an area of focus, comprehensive review of current research, qualitative data collection methods, data analysis, and formulating an action plan. Students will develop an action research proposal to address a literacy need in their schools or classrooms and which may also be appropriate for submission to grant agencies for funding.

PREREQUISITES

There are no required prerequisites for this course. However, learners are assumed to be teachers with access to elementary and/or secondary students.

COURSE
STRUCTURE

Online discussions, weekly tutorials, online research, literature review, and action research project.

STANDARDS

This course supports the following International Reading Association's 2003 Standards for Reading Professionals:

5.1	Display positive dispositions related to reading and the teaching of reading.
5.2	Continue to pursue the development of professional knowledge and dispositions.
5.3	Work with colleagues to observe, evaluate, and provide feedback on each other's practice.
5.4	Participate in, initiate, implement, and evaluate professional development programs.

PRACTICAL
APPLICATIONS

Students will conduct a literacy-focused action research project in their school setting.

CORE/ELECTIVE

This graduate course can be used as 3 core credit(s) in the Literacy Leadership thematic area in the 24-credit Reading Endorsement program, as an elective in the 12-credit Literary Education program, or for individual professional development. Please consult an advisor at your home institution about adding this course to your program.

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Jo-Anne Lau-Smith, Assistant Professor of Education, Southern Oregon University. Eight years of public school teaching experience; 7 years teaching in University of Hawaii system. (BA, M. Ed., University of California, Los Angeles; Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Manoa)

TARGET
AUDIENCE

K-12 teachers working on a Reading Endorsement. Teachers who wish to implement a literacy-focused action research project in their schools.

TIME
COMMITMENT

Students should expect to spend 9 hours per week for 10 weeks in course-related activities (e.g., reading the text and course materials, posting to discussion forums, completing written and classroom-based assignments). This course is online and does not require in-person attendance. Assignments are completed on the learner's time schedule and are due as posted.

TEXTBOOK

A textbook is required for this course. You will be sent the textbook title and suggested purchase locations when you register for the course.

COST

No course in the ReadOregon curriculum will cost more than $300 per credit, including all fees, for students in the ReadOregon program.

TECHNICAL
REQUIREMENTS

This online course requires access to the Internet with Word/WordPerfect for written assignments. Recommended minimum computer configuration is:

PC running Windows 95 or newer
Macintosh Quadra 700 or better or Power PC
Modem 28.8 or faster, or other network connection
Sound card and speakers (optional)
32 Megabytes or greater of system RAM
Adequate hard disk drive

CONTACT(S)

For more details on this course, please contact Dr. Jo-Anne Lau-Smith or Angela Huftill in Extended Campus Programs.