Sample: Research Problem Summary for Y511

By R. Lee Smith Due Date: September 11 The issue to be studied. Co-teaching and teaming strategies have been utilized extensively in public education K-12 classrooms. In college and university classrooms, these techniques are used less frequently. The professional literature in the field of teacher education documents and describes the various instructional strategies and approaches and the positive attributes of these instructional configurations and approaches, specifically in special education and middle school settings. The present study will document the process and outcomes of the implementation of a co-teaching strategy in a graduate class in a higher education setting. The question that this study will address is: How does a co-teaching approach work in a graduate class in higher education? Related questions include: ?What are the students reactions?? What models of co-teaching work best? What are the logistical issues? What are the contextual variables associated with implementation? Are their administrative barriers? An explanation of variables. This study is a qualitative study of the processes involved in developing and implementing a co-teaching approach in a graduate class in a higher education setting. The structure and implementation of the co-teaching activities is analogous to the independent variable. Numerical values from a Likert scale from a developed survey will be collected from volunteer members of the class. Additionally, individual volunteer class members will be requested to participate in interviews and a focus group and to submit reflective writings. The involved professors will also write logs and narratives documenting the experience. The numerical data, narrative, and textual responses will serve to describe the processes and effects. This description and data is analogous to the dependent variable. Statement of relevance to the field. This study will add to academic knowledge in the area of course instructional techniques in higher education. The description of the processes and outcomes may be of interest to other professors in higher education. Various journals and professional conferences may find this acceptable as a presentation or article. Methods: The study will utilize questionnaires or surveys, interviews, focus groups, and written narrative. Quantitative information from Likert scales will be aggregated and descriptive statistics reported. Information from interviews, focus groups, and written narrative will be analyzed and aggregated according to the source and thematic areas that emerge from the data in a manner common in qualitative analysis. The subjects. The 31 students in the class and the professor participants are considered the potential subjects in this study. Participation is voluntary. Limitations of the study. This is an action research study utilizing a sample of convenience. The instruments and processes lack reliability and construct validity. The sample may be small and results may not be generalizable beyond the particular setting.