How can practitioner inquiry improve your teaching practice and student learning?

1 What is practitioner inquiry?

Practitioner inquiry is a process of asking questions, collecting and analyzing data, and taking action based on the findings. It can be done individually or collaboratively with other teachers, students, or stakeholders. Practitioner inquiry is not a one-time event, but a continuous cycle of inquiry that allows you to adapt and refine your practice in response to the changing needs and interests of your students and the context.

2 Why do practitioner inquiry?

Practitioner inquiry can help you to improve your teaching practice and student learning in several ways. First, it can help you to develop a deeper understanding of your students, their strengths, challenges, and preferences, and how they learn best. Second, it can help you to evaluate the effectiveness of your curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and to make informed decisions about what to keep, modify, or discard. Third, it can help you to foster a culture of inquiry, collaboration, and innovation in your classroom and school, where you and your students are co-learners and co-researchers.

4 How to collect and analyze data?

To collect and analyze data, you need to choose appropriate methods and sources that align with your research question and your context. You can use quantitative or qualitative data, or a combination of both, depending on your purpose and preference. Quantitative data are numerical and can be measured, such as test scores, attendance rates, or survey responses. Qualitative data are descriptive and can be observed, such as interviews, observations, or artifacts. You can use different tools to help you collect and organize your data, such as checklists, rubrics, charts, or software. You can also use different strategies to help you analyze and interpret your data, such as coding, categorizing, comparing, or triangulating.

5 How to take action and share findings?

To take action and share findings, you need to use your data to inform your practice and to communicate your results to others. You can use your data to plan, implement, and evaluate changes or interventions in your practice, or to generate new questions or ideas for further inquiry. You can also use your data to share your insights, challenges, and implications with other teachers, students, or stakeholders, and to solicit feedback or suggestions. You can use different formats and platforms to share your findings, such as reports, presentations, posters, blogs, or podcasts.

6 How to sustain practitioner inquiry?

To sustain practitioner inquiry, you need to make it a regular and ongoing part of your professional learning and growth. You can do this by setting aside time and space for inquiry, by collaborating with other inquirers, by seeking support and resources, and by celebrating your successes and learning from your failures. You can also join or create networks or communities of practice that support practitioner inquiry, such as action research groups, professional learning communities, or online forums. By sustaining practitioner inquiry, you can continue to enhance your teaching practice and student learning in meaningful and relevant ways.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?