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2A.1
Selecting an Issue

2A.2
Framing a Question

2A.3
Checking Feasibility

2A.4
Checking Critical
Links

2A.5
Screening the
Question


Step Two - All Files


2R.1
Critical Links Subject Index


2R.2
Critical Links Question Index by Discipline


2A.1
Selecting an Issue:
How do I give myself some direction?
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1. Issues for Inquiry

Before you begin brainstorming, prime your brain by taking several mental inventories. Consider the following:

  • What puzzles you about teaching and learning and the interactions you have with students?

  • What classroom issues ”bug" you or what parts of teaching eat up your time without much reward or usefulness?

  • What do students do well in your class and what don't they do well?

2. Begin writing your issues on paper as fast as you can. Pour ideas onto the page without judging their merit. When you have 10 or more issues, you may stop, unless you would like to add more.

3. Once your list is complete, circle the three issues that most interest you.

4. Meet with a partner. (This exercise will work best in pairs, but triplets are workable.) Take turns talking about the three issues you each circled. For each issue explain:

  • What the issue means to you and what aspects you would study

  • How knowing more or examining the issue closely might help teaching and learning in your classroom

  • What information you might gather and consider to help you to think more deeply and concretely about the issue

When you have exhausted an issue, ask your partner what s/he thinks. Jot down any ideas your partner has about the issue that interest you.

5. When you have finished discussing all three issues, ask your partner which one appears to have the most energy for you. Which issue made your voice become more animated? Which issue made you gesture more? Which issue made you physically and emotionally more enthusiastic?

6. Consider the information from your partner. Does it correspond to how you feel? If it does, you have selected an issue. If it does not, consider your partner’s feedback and your own feelings and select the issue that most interests you to work with for right now. You may change your issue at any time during these exercises.

7. Record your issue in as clear and concise language as you can right now. Proceed to the next activity, Framing a Question.