ABSTRACT
In Chapter 17 ‘opportunities worth taking’ as a teacher were considered, and these were projects, research, creating and externalling. Each of those could in its own way be seen to involve aspects of what would be called ‘research’. This chapter starts by considering what research is in PCE, and whether there really is a time and place for research, when you are so busy with so many other things. We strongly argue that research is not just worth making time for, but is essential if teachers and the PCE community are going to move forward to a positive future. Examples of research, and where it has made a difference, are provided, combined with guidance on the approaches, values and skills needed to carry out meaningful and developmental research. Professional development is then introduced as a means of keeping you in touch with the ‘leading edge’ of your own specialist area, and as a way of refreshing your teaching. We close the chapter with an appeal to ‘get nerdy’ by following and maintaining your own research and professional development passions.
