1. Practitioner-Led Action Research in Adult Literacies Contexts 19 th June, 2015 Claire Collins

2. Develop a shared understanding of what we mean by ‘PLAR’ Identify how PLAR can be used as a vehicle for self development and professional practice Begin to explore areas of your practice which could benefit from PLAR Workshop aims

3. “Teachers can only really be professional if they are able to engage in and with research around ‘best practice’ in their profession… " Carr and Kemmis, 1986 "To be at their most effective, teachers and teacher educators need to engage with research and enquiry" BERA –RSA Inquiry into Research and Teacher Education, 2014 Practitioners as researchers

4. Why 'practitioner-led action research'? Practitioner-led action research (PLAR) aims to improve and to involve. There should be improvements in: practice; understanding of the practice by its practitioners; and the situation in which the practice takes place. (Carr, W. and Kemmis, S. (1986) ‘Becoming Critical: Education Knowledge and Action Research’, Routledge, p.165)

5. Action Research is not a new practice - Margaret MacMillan’s chart Margaret’s Research was presented ‘multimodally’ – i t had a significant impact for this reason

6. So PLAR….. enables practitioners to identify and enquire into real problems or issues that they encounter in their work; develops practitioners’ capacity to critically question their experience and reflect on their actions; links practice to its underpinning theory by using theory to question practice and practice to question and inform theories; and is accessible to and usable by other practitioners in similar situations.

7. ‘Stages’ of PLAR The diagram opposite lays out a typical research process: 1.Planning and preparation 2.Data collection 3.Analysis 4.Reporting, disseminating and embedding into practice The diagram above is taken from the Education Scotland ‘PLAR’ website (see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/12/15095637/16)http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/12/15095637/16

8. We can also identify PLAR ‘cycles'

9. Activity 1.Working alone (for 2 minutes) write down a problem/ issue from your own practice that you think could benefit from PLAR 2.Now, working in groups of 4 – 6, share your ideas and group any ‘issues’/ ‘problems’ that you think are related. 3.Share your summarised issues/ problems with other groups across the UK on the collaborative mind map for this session. What are current ‘hot topics’ for PLAR?

10. Kent Community Learning and Skills: Sheila MacDonald & Jodi Watson (Prezi)Prezi Wirral Lifelong and Family Learning Service: June Vernon, Chloe Hynes, Jill Mothersole & Peter Murray (Padlet & Prezi)PadletPrezi Examples of action research projects from 2014 focussing on adult literacies

11. The eCPD module supports a practitioner’s action research journey right from early planning through to final reporting, and beyond. eCPD module Want to know more? Action research e-CPD module