Lifting the Veil of Ignorance: A Social Justice Perspective

Lifting the Veil of Ignorance: A Social Justice Perspective

By April Jones

The “Lifting the Veil of Ignorance” series of student social justice essays, which were developed from the students’ social work research proposals, is an anthology of undergraduate authors’ viewpoints on various topics related to social justice using a social work perspective to approach addressing injustices. It is important to hear from undergraduate students, particularly . .

Tuskegee, AL, US
From Classroom To Activity Room; From Teacher To Students

From Classroom To Activity Room; From Teacher To Students

By Aboosaly Fowzun Nihara

Collaborative Action Research method was employed to examine the author’s professional practice as a resource person and to take action to strengthen teaching and learning in a selected primary school in Sri Lanka. Qualitative data collected from In-depth interviews and videotaped observations were analyzed to develop a narrative story.  Addressing the problem of teacher centeredness in primary . . .

Kandy, LK
Putting Curricular Theories into Action

Putting Curricular Theories into Action

By Dane Stickney

We at the University of Colorado-Denver frame our master’s level Curriculum Theories course with a contentious quote: “Curriculum in any time and place becomes the site of a battleground where the fight is over whose values and beliefs will achieve the legitimization and the respect that acceptance into the national discourse provides” (Kliebard, 1995, p. 250-251). While the battlefield language is a bit . . .

Denver, CO, US
Curriculum: Created From Fear and Doused in Ignorance

Curriculum: Created From Fear and Doused in Ignorance

By Frank Miller

Curriculum is an important concept, especially in regards to the value education has on the growth of a successful society. Through research and analysis, this report examines discussions surrounding curriculum theories, the personal implications that these theories put on me as an educator, and the results of experimentation in the different methods of pedagogy. Through dissections of topics . . .

Denver, CO, US
Curriculum Ideology Wars and the Post-Pandemic Teacher Shortage

Curriculum Ideology Wars and the Post-Pandemic Teacher Shortage

By Daniele Skor

This paper examines some literature of curriculum theories, which led the author to investigate the role of teacher autonomy in enacting curriculum. In addition, the author researched the role of curriculum in the post-pandemic teacher shortage. Through this research, the author found that anti- “critical race theory” policy and ideology cause a great deal of stress for educators . . .

Colorado Springs, CO, US
Worn Out: Critical Pedagogy and Implications

Worn Out: Critical Pedagogy and Implications

By Guillermo Vela

This essay analyzes the effects of long-held racism on American education and proposes the employment of critical pedagogy as a way forward. In the United States today, students of color face an education industry that has and continues to fail them. The work of education theorists, equity advocates, and critical pedagogues supports the development of anti-racist educators and schooling. Their work is used as a . . .

Denver, CO, US
Flipping the Script: Rewriting the Argument for YPAR in Classrooms

Flipping the Script: Rewriting the Argument for YPAR in Classrooms

By Milahd Makooi

Youth participatory action research (YPAR) can be powerful for youth and teachers, but can also be difficult to explain. In a profession where teachers are expected to explain and justify every move, being able to articulate YPAR pedagogy is not easy. This essay explores one middle-school classroom’s journey into YPAR, the challenges to put this experience into . . .

Arvada, CO, US
Undergirded with Urgency

Undergirded with Urgency

By Dominic Repucci

“Undergirded with Urgency” provides a framework for educators and scholars to engage in Roundtable Discussions that challenge participants to make effective, equity-oriented curricular decisions while teaching in the context of poverty. On top of providing a plan for a Roundtable Discussion, this paper synthesizes how theories presented by Paul Gorski (2018), Gloria Ladson-Billings (1995), Django Paris (2012), Michael Schiro (2013), and Elliot . . .

Pueblo West, CO, US
Curriculum: A Tool of the Oppressor

Curriculum: A Tool of the Oppressor

By Meghan Tocci

This paper evaluates a variety of curriculum theories and basic principles of curriculum and instruction with the ultimate goal of understanding how curricular orientations can affect the experiences of both students and educators. Upon examination of my curricular beliefs in conversation with the views of employer, the Denver Public School District, I have discovered that a majority of my previous curricular understandings . . .

Denver, CO, US
Embracing Change: Addressing Bias and Misconception In the Academic Setting

Embracing Change: Addressing Bias and Misconception In the Academic Setting

By Sumner True

This paper explores curriculum theory literature that leads the author to understand the importance of developing critical thinking skills among students. The author then created a unit in which 6th grade students on Individual Education Plans (IEPs) were given an opportunity to read a novel that discussed misconceptions and bias, and write a personal reflection . . .

Castle Rock, CO, US
The Standoff Against Curriculum

The Standoff Against Curriculum

By Cameron Neumann

There is considerable research regarding prescribed curricula and how these curricula are based on the language, culture, and history of white European descendants, while not acknowledging the history and culture of other racial groups in the United States. I prepared and implemented a unit around identity in my classroom with my students. First, I gave an overview of intersectionality, specifically looking . . .

Denver, CO, US
How staff and young people relationships impact school mental health self-referral

How staff and young people relationships impact school mental health self-referral

By Barwick, A., Chigwada, S., Giecco, M., Seeney, E., Turner, I., & McPartlan, D.

This is a follow up to a research project that looked at the efficacy of a school’s mental health strategy. A young research team (YRT) collaborated with a researcher to investigate whether relationships between staff and young people impacted whether young people would come forward for . . .

Newcastle upon Tyne, ENG, GB
Educational evaluation in the Mapuce context

Educational evaluation in the Mapuce context

The issue of educational evaluation in Chile is a sensitive one for all indigenous peoples, due largely to the technical and qualificative conception of it, which has no correspondence with the indigenous worldview. Therefore, this essay presents a participatory research experience that began in 2016 and involved forming a research community with a Mapuce . . .

Temuco, CL
Mind maps to support students’ learning in Chemistry: Case-study approach

Mind maps to support students’ learning in Chemistry: Case-study approach

By Tara Kiran Kurre

To overcome the difficulty in learning Chemistry for students and in particular to help with their understandings of Organic Chemistry reactions, I used mind maps as a technique. Mind maps are an outline of ideas that emerge from a central theme or concept. Each student developed their own mind maps after I taught them first, and the students then used them consistently . . .

Bangalore, IN
Retaining Patients in HIV Care: An Insider Action Research Study

Retaining Patients in HIV Care: An Insider Action Research Study

By Nancy Murphy, Erin Athey, Alfred Larbi, & Nnemdi Elias

Retaining patients in care is a critical aspect of HIV clinical practice. People living with HIV are likely to continually adhere to HIV treatment when they remain in continuous care. Retention in HIV care is associated with viral suppression which improves immune function, decreases individual . . .

Red Bank, NJ, US
Second Thoughts About Knowledge Democracy

Second Thoughts About Knowledge Democracy

By Thomas Stern

This essay revisits a fascinating trip to Colombia in 2017. I traveled from my home country of Austria to Colombia to attend the 5th Annual Conference of the Action Research Network of the Americas (ARNA) and the Global Assembly for Knowledge Democracy, which took place the day after the close of the conference. I begin with a kaleidoscopic view back to 2017 and . . .

Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, AT
Climate Action is My Calling

Climate Action is My Calling

How I got involved in the climate movement and why. There is this idea that when you retire from the work world you will take a break – travel, take up artistic endeavors, take classes or just “veg out” and do nothing. Yet there are other people who use the additional time to get involved with a cause or a volunteer effort. A few years after I retired I was looking for some way to get involved using my skills and to keep . . .

San Diego, CA, US
An Evaluation of Leading Teacher Learning in Secondary Schools

An Evaluation of Leading Teacher Learning in Secondary Schools

By Alexander Pallister

This essay is presented as an evaluation of leading teacher learning in secondary schools. The paper considers three key areas: (1) The role of school leaders in relation to the professional development of teachers; (2) The contribution of mentoring in relation to teacher development; and (3) The concept and value of teacher leadership in relation to coaching and learner . . .

Manama, BH