Call for Roundtable proposals
psmagorinsky who-is-at uoknor.edu
Sun, 3 Mar 96 09:21:42 -0600
>
>>
>> ROUNDTABLE PROPOSALS SOLICITED FOR FALL CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
>>This fall at the NCTE conference in Chicago, the Assembly for
>>Research will sponsor a one-day workshop in which we explore the
>>theme, "What is Research?: Perspectives on the Process of Inquiry."
>>Conceptions of what constitutes "research" have changed in recent
>>years. Not long ago, aspiring researchers were advised that they
>>could not study their own classrooms, that they should avoid
>>contaminating their data through their observations, that they
>>needed to publish their findings in a journal in order to establish
>>credibility, that sole-authored articles in major refereed journals
>>were the only respectable publications. Many developments have
>>raised questions about these traditional beliefs about the conduct
>>of educational research: the recognition of the importance of
>>teacher-research; questions about the ethics of university
>>researchers who regard teachers and students as "subjects" for
>>study; the establishment of perspectives that argue for the
>>inherent subjectivity of researchers; and other perspectives
>>grounded in epistemologies outside the traditional mainstream. The
>>purpose of the workshop is to provide a forum in which classroom-
>>based and university-based researchers can discuss what they
>>believe research to be, how they believe research can be conducted,
>>what they feel are appropriate ways of sharing their research, what
>>the relationship between researcher and researched ought to be, and
>>other questions that are central to the valid and ethical conduct
>>of research from a variety of perspectives. Such a conversation
>>can help researchers learn from one another about their approaches
>>to conducting research.
>>
>>Topics: Below are three illustrative questions that the workshop
>>could consider. Along with each major question are additional
>>questions that reflect more specifically the kinds of issues that
>>the workshop could deal with. However, specific issues and topics
>>will be shaped by speakers at the workshop.
>>
>>1. How do different ontological stances suggest different modes of
>>inquiry? The invited speakers to the workshop will represent
>>different perspectives on research: quantitative approaches,
>>teacher-research approaches, researcher-teacher approaches (i.e.,
>>"outside" researchers whose goals include providing instruction
>>through their data collection), and cultural perspectives. Each
>>set of invited speakers will define research from their perspective
>>on classroom processes and discuss how their methodology is
>>appropriate for their perspective.
>>
>>2. How can research change teachers, students, and researchers?
>>In other words, how does the process of participating in research
>>affect those involved? What do we learn from research as both
>>participants and as a professional community?
>>
>>3. How can we achieve more pluralistic, less contentious views of
>>research? Researchers are often methodologically at odds with one
>>another, as in the "qualitative" vs. "quantitative" dispute that
>>has torn the profession for years. Additionally, "teachers" and
>>"researchers" often pit themselves against one another at the
>>expense of benefitting from one another's knowledge and
>>experiences. How can the field define research so that educators
>>are encouraged to inquire into the practice of teaching and the
>>processes of learning so that both individuals and the field as a
>>whole continue to grow?
>>
>>As in previous years, this workshop will involve both presentations
>>and break-out sessions. Following the example of previous years'
>>workshops, all speakers will be asked to share in-process work and
>>to give workshop participants opportunities to discuss one
>>another's research from their own perspectives. This year, four
>>sets of invited speakers will each discuss their perspective on
>>research for 45 minutes:
>>
>>Quantitative approaches: George Hillocks, Jr., & P. David Pearson
>>The view from the classroom: Judy Buchanan, Marci Resnick, & Beth
>> Yeager
>>Cultural studies: Kris Gutierrez & Geneva Smitherman
>>Community-based research: Arnetha Ball & Linda Flower
>>
>>In addition, we seek proposals for roundtable presentations that
>>can contribute to the discussion of how we define and conduct
>>research. Proposals (2 single-spaced page limit) are welcome from
>>researchers from all sites and perspectives. In your proposal,
>>identify (1) the perspective you take as a researcher, including
>>the theoretical base from which you adopt this perspective; (2) an
>>account of research you have conducted from that perspective,
>>preferably recently-conducted or in-process work that will reveal
>>the relationship between your perspective and methodology; (3) a
>>statement of what you can contribute to this discussion through
>>your roundtable. We regret that we cannot waive the workshop fee
>>for roundtable presenters, nor can we cover any other expenses. We
>>will have coffee at the break, however. Send one copy of your
>>proposal to each of the following by May 1:
>>
>>Carol D. Lee
>>Northwestern University
>>School of Education and Social Policy
>>2003 Sheridan Rd.
>>Evanston, IL 60201
>>cdlee who-is-at merle.acns.nwu.edu
>>
>>Peter Smagorinsky
>>U. of Oklahoma
>>College of Education
>>820 Van Vleet Oval
>>Norman, OK 73019-0260
>>psmagorinsky who-is-at uoknor.edu
>Peter Smagorinsky
>University of Oklahoma
>College of Education
>Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum
>820 Van Vleet Oval
>Norman, OK 73019-0260
>(405)325-3533
>fax: (405)325-4061
>smagor who-is-at aardvark.ucs.uoknor.edu
>psmagorinsky who-is-at uoknor.edu
>
>
Peter Smagorinsky
University of Oklahoma
College of Education
Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum
820 Van Vleet Oval
Norman, OK 73019-0260
(405)325-3533
fax: (405)325-4061
smagor who-is-at aardvark.ucs.uoknor.edu
psmagorinsky who-is-at uoknor.edu