"Examining the Complexities of ""Kidwatching"" in a Context for Teacher Inquiry"

This study explored how three intermediate grade teachers used an inquiry approach to shift from whole class reading instruction to responsive, assessment-driven types of instruction. This was a qualitative research study with an epistemological framework of constructionism. The data were analyzed using a constant comparative method. During the course of one school year, the teachers shaped a focus for their inquiries and met as a group with the researcher to examine student artifacts related to each teacher's inquiry. Group members made recommendations for future instruction based on their analysis of the students' work. The researcher took the role of participant-observer and acted as a co-teacher and professional coach in the teachers' classrooms. The results indicate the teachers increased their awareness of the need for differentiated instruction and increased their understanding of explicit strategy instruction. Each teacher's path towards change and each teacher's engagement in critical reflection was different from their peers. Factors such as cognitive engagement and motivations for participating in the group may have affected their degree of change and their engagement in reflection. Implications for change in classrooms using an inquiry approach and a coaching model are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Elementary Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Cummins, Sunday

Contributors dc:contributor

• McCarthey, Sarah

• Education, Teacher Training

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3269872

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/79977