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 Governor’s
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
Governor’s 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…

 “Restructuring Socratic
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 “R’s: Read-Restructure-Rotate”
student demonstration.

• Compare/Contrast a traditional seminar to

“Three R’s: 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

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presentation.

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 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