Using Action Research

To Empower North Carolina Educators

A Race to the Top Initiative
NC Department of Public Instruction
Educator Effectiveness Division
Restructuring Socratic Seminar
Deborah E. Brown
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Zebulon B. Vance High School
 What is the Governors
Teacher Network?
A talented group of 450 outstanding teachers were
selected from 1400 applicants for 2014-15.
Teachers identify instructional needs, create innovative
digital instructional resources and design professional
development to support key Race to the Top initiatives in
Home Base.
Network Teachers continue their current educator roles
in their schools and districts and serve in one of two
pathways.
 What is the
Governors Teacher Network?
Pathway 1 Teachers: Professional Development
Identify problems of practice around instructional
needs and conduct action research projects in their
schools.
Investigate and analyze the effectiveness of strategies
and practices on student learning.
Create professional development sessions and
materials to be posted in Schoolnet and the
Professional Development System in Home Base.
 What is Action Research?
Classroom and school research conducted by
teachers to:

Positively impact student outcomes

Identify and promote effective instructional
practices
Create opportunities for teachers to become
reflective practitioners
Share research results with other educators

Mills, Geoffrey E, Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 2014
 Restructuring Socratic
Seminar
Discussion is

Discussion is not..

Discussion can be
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Seminar
National standards requirement

Power of student voice

Students talk about language

Students control

Making English come alive in the classroom

 Restructuring Socratic
Seminar
Live Three Rs: Read-Restructure-Rotate
student demonstration.

Compare/Contrast a traditional seminar to

Three Rs: Read-Restructure-Rotate student
demonstration.
 Restructuring Socratic
Seminar
But can it work with MY students?

How it can
Modifications
Students play other parts
Additional roles, high performers can vary
Restructuring Socratic
Seminar
High-school context

Zebulon B. Vance High School

7600 IBM Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262

1,720 student population

 Feedback

Insert link to feedback form to

evaluate effectiveness of
presentation.

http://goo.gl/forms/nuhwNC6pyV
 Conclusion of Presentation
Thank you for your participation.

Contact Information:
Name: Deborah E Brown
School: Zebulon B. Vance High
Charlotte-Mecklenburg District
Phone: (980) 343-5284
Email: deborah.brown@cms.k12.nc.us