Heather Francis, co-host, and Heidi Dimmick, a 3rd-grade teacher, discuss the value of action research for teachers improving their practice of arts integration in the classroom. This episode is for any teacher interested in systemic inquiry and reflective practice as a method of professional learning and advocacy within the field of education and arts education.

Heather Francis, co-host, and Heidi Dimmick, a 3rd-grade teacher, discuss the value of action research for teachers who want to improve the practice of arts integration in the classroom. This episode is for any teacher interested in systemic inquiry and reflective practice as a method of professional learning and advocacy within the field of education and arts education.

By demystifying the term "research," this episode explains how practicing teachers can (and already do!) fit action research into their professional practice. Listen to the episode to learn how tweaking a few intentional data collection and analysis strategies can lead to large dividends in professional learning. Heather is definitely team research, but she's paid to do research; Heidi is a practicing teacher who understands both the effort involved, the value of the effort, and the tangible benefits of the effort. 

Are you interested in improving your practice as a teacher and bringing the arts into your classroom? Consider a self-study or action research project to discover the best practices for you and your students. Think about what you want to improve; use resiliency practices to examine potential methods for change. Then, find a critical friend—someone who has high expectations for your performance, who believes in you and will encourage you along your path of improvement. A critical friend is a colleague who collaborates throughout the action research process that helps clarify blindspots, reflect from a new perspective, and encourages trying new ideas or strategies.

Teachers are doing action research all the time—or at least parts of it—as they collect and analyze data in an effort to improve their teaching practice and boost student learning. The state of Utah offers an infrastructure that supports self-study: some required assessments, like Dibels testing, are offered at three distinct times during the academic year. These assessments offer teachers direct feedback on literacy instruction: sometimes teachers are doing action research without actually realizing they are doing action research. 

Links Mentioned:
BYU ARTS Partnership Arts Integration Endorsement Program
Action Research: Three approaches

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Don't forget to peruse the bank of lesson plans produced by the BYU ARTS Partnership Arts in dance, drama, music, visual arts, media arts, and more. Search by grade-level, art form or subject area at www.education.byu.edu/arts/lessons.