Karen Elinich @ Pepperdine University

Action Research Project Portfolio

2004-2005

638B - Framing the Research Question

Revised Version - October 11, 2004

Field of Action Research:

My field of action is The Franklin Institute Science Museum, particularly its educational technology programs department. I will work with an invited group of in-service K-8 teachers of science who will collaborate with my educational technology team and the Institute's Curatorial department.

Problem:

The Institute's amazing collection of primary source documents from the history of science and technology is not accessible to teachers or the general public.

Possible Solution:

Provide online access to the primary sources, accompanied by teacher-developed curricular connections.

Outcomes:

All teachers will have access to primary sources. The invited group of teachers will have developed their professional skills. My team will have gained perspective from working with the teachers. The curatorial team will have expanded access to its documents.

Research Question:

By involving K-12 teachers in the development of online resources, can we determine better ways for museums to make primary source documents from the history of science and technology useful for classroom learning?

Possible Cycle Questions:

1. In what ways do K-12 teachers currently integrate primary source documents from the history of science and technology with classroom practice?

2. What roles can K-12 teachers play in the production of online presentations of primary source documents?

3. How do the ways that K-12 teachers use primary sources change as a result of new online access?