The Design and Implementation of an Instrument to Engage Practitioners in a University-School Research Process

• In Event: Collaboration, Community, and Critique: Seeking Wisdom Within School, University, and Community Research

Abstract

We have established a research-practice partnership (RPP) to build a computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT)-focused STEM ecosystem at two middle schools. Creating such an ecosystem to broaden student participation in computing through an RPP approach entails involving all stakeholders in the research process. Borrowing upon visual participatory research methods, we developed a graphic research instrument to engage practitioners in the research process and elicit their perspectives on strategies for building the ecosystem. This paper describes our research process and reports on the results of a pilot study with practitioner-members of our RPP team. We offer a potential instrument for other university-based RPP teams looking for more productive and equitable ways to engage practitioners in the research process.

Authors

• Callie Womble Edwards, North Carolina State University

• Danielle Cadieux Boulden, Code.org

• Audrey Rorrer, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• David K. Pugalee, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Veronica Catete, North Carolina State University

• Dave Frye

• Tiffany Barnes

• Lijuan Cao, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Mohsen Dorodchi, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Mary Lou Maher, UNC Charlotte

• Eric N. Wiebe, North Carolina State University