ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the value of undertaking critical and systematic enquiry into learning within, and perhaps beyond, the classroom, or as Michael Bassey (above) argues: creating education through research. Previous chapters have offered a number of suggestions for considering specific aspects of learning in more depth, and whether these involved considering the learning behaviour of individuals and groups of pupils or developing pupils’ understanding of their own learning through the use of assessment for learning strategies, the necessity for critical reflection on your own practice has always been present. The previous chapter discussed the process of professional reflection and its importance for improving the quality of learning and teaching as part of your professional development. We suggested that effective reflection on learning is likely to raise some questions that cannot be immediately or easily answered. One of the options for developing your professional understanding in these circumstances is to undertake a structured investigation into an aspect of learning and teaching that you would like to understand more about, in order to improve your professional practice. This chapter will introduce you to some ways in which such an investigation could be planned and implemented.
