Open AccessA Participatory Action Research Study of Collaborative Course Development Across Higher Education Programs
Author(s) -
Margaret P. Weiss,
Anthony Pellegrino
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
innovations in teaching and learning conference proceedings
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2379-8432
DOI - 10.13021/g8gp5r
Subject(s) - participatory action research , citizen journalism , presentation (obstetrics) , collaborative learning , action research , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , higher education , pedagogy , action (physics) , medical education , engineering ethics , sociology , psychology , political science , engineering , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics , anthropology , law , radiology
Collaboration is a much-used term that connotes images of teams working together to facilitate better outcomes. Being able to work with others in professional environments has become an expected part of most careers. While many courses in higher education require students to collaborate in various capacities in order to learn about working together and value differing perspectives, few faculty members teach together to model effective collaborative partnerships.This presentation will highlight findings from a participatory action research study of two Mason faculty members from different programs who developed and co-taught an integrated course about school-based collaboration for prospective and practicing educators. We will describe results from interviews, observations, and analysis of course materials related to:Developing a collaborative philosophical framework and purpose for the courseNegotiating collaborative assignments and assessmentsIntegrating our expertise to coteach class sessionsIdentifying and resolving philosophical and infrastructure challengesInterpreting student feedback and outcomes.Discussion will include:The need for university dialogue about academic collaborationThe impact faculty interactions have on collaborative effortsThe importance of curricular vision and coherence in collaborative effortsFuture research directions.