How do you find research??
As a teacher, which resources do you use to stay abreast of the latest educational research? Do you encounter any limitations in doing so? How do you work to overcome these challenges?
Below the following link will take you to AITSL document to support teachers.
Educators need to be aware of reliable points of broad consensus within the field, as well as areas of contention and debate. Educators must draw from reputable sources and widely acknowledged experts. The evidence guide has identified some seminal works that provide high-quality, reputable overviews of the field of early reading instruction as a key starting point. It is strongly recommended that educators familiarise themselves with these or similar works to gain a broad picture of the complexities of reading instruction, and to identify key sources of evidence and well-regarded experts that can be further investigated.
A useful introductory seminal work is one that highlights areas of consensus, areas of dispute, and areas where more evidence is required in the instruction of reading. For example, while there is extensive evidence that a systematic approach to teaching phonics is an essential element of early reading instruction, there is no clear evidence in support of one particular teaching approach over another (as indicated in Castles et al, and Rowe – listed below).
There are many contradictory pieces of evidence in educational research. It is easy to selectively collect evidence that supports a particular point of view, ignoring the evidence to the contrary. Well- informed educators need to be aware of these potential biases in the authors they are reading and in their own selection of evidence. It is important to collect a broad range of evidence, to critically evaluate the relative quality of the evidence for different claims, and to acknowledge where evidence is justifiably contested and inconclusive. Educators need a deep understanding of how children learn to read and how to support them to learn this complex skill effectively.
AITSL Reading Instruction Evidence Map
A small sample of seminal works that are relevant to the Australian context are listed here. I highly recommend you view them.
https://www.aitsl.edu.au/docs/default-source/initial-teacher-education-resources/reading-instruction
I read this amazing article this weekend on teacher research and how our schools can/need to be connected to academia research. How schools drive for research and evidence based practice.
https://www.teachermagazine.com.au/articles/a-schools-focus-on-educational-research?utm_source=Socia
A lot of the time full time teachers are so very much inundated with work load that taking the time to research and up skill in new research and evidence practice can often be pushed onto the back burner.
How do you manage to keep on top of it?
I dedicate 2 hours every Sunday night to checking in on many of my go to websites.
I reach out to my network of leaders and colleagues. (It is so important that you find others who you can spend time with questioning and discussing ideas and thoughts about the things you are passionate about in education.)
DSF
Learning Difficulties Australia
Reading Science FB
Growth Coaching International
AISTL
Institute of Professional Learning
Teacher Magazine
The Conversation
The Educator
What places do you go to?
😊
Ms Burke (Tash)