Teachers' Beliefs and Attitudes About Using Educational Research in Practice: A Tool for Teacher Empowerment?

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 36
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Queries: Beliefs, Attitudes, and Dispositions

Abstract

Interest in teachers’ beliefs, attitudes, and utilization of research has recently increased, in hopes of facilitating greater use of research by practitioners in educational settings. In order to gain an in-depth understanding of teachers’ beliefs and attitudes towards educational research, qualitative methodology was used to analyze the online discussion boards of 18 teachers in international schools, and to conduct and analyze follow-up individual interviews. Three themes emerged: (a) beliefs about the culture of research in their school/district, (b) concerns with the transferability of the results of research to their own students, and (c) attitudes towards using research to change teachers’ practice. Implications for the professional development of teachers, as well as for researchers presenting research to teachers are discussed.

Authors

• Elana Joram, University of Northern Iowa

• Anthony J. Gabriele, University of Northern Iowa

• Katherine Michelle Walton, University of Northern Iowa