Jn. Price, Action research, pedagogy and change: the transformative potential of action research in pre-service teacher education, J CURRIC ST, 33(1), 2001, pp. 43-74
Although action research is recognized as an important tool in promoting re
flective practice and educational change, little has been written about wha
t it would mean for pre-service teachers to engage in action research. I ex
amine 11 pre-service teachers' experiences of action research and unravel w
ays in which they made connections among pedagogy, research, and change. I
contend that crafting an action-research course needs careful deliberation,
because its content can powerfully influence the shape of teaching practic
e. I explain four critical components of such a course: reflection and inqu
iry; learning about students; learning about pedagogical content knowledge;
and learning about social justice and democracy. Through a close study of
three teacher candidates' action-research studies, I show how they used thi
s framework as a springboard to develop and enhance their commitments, idea
s, and practices as beginning teachers.