Project+Plans

= ACU-OISE Research-informed Action Planning =

INTRODUCTION
Given that EDST 544 is out of synchrony with EDU 5517, with only a 3-week overlap (weeks of Oct. 1, 8 & 15, 2012), we believe that the most feasible sharing between classes of preservice teachers would be with reference to their respective //plans//for self-directed research-informed actions (RiA) to address specific SSIs. We hope this is interesting. Each preservice teacher, or groups, will be working on different socioscientific issues and corresponding research and actions. Getting feedback from preservice teachers in another part of the world may help them to see aspects of their particular projects - and/or research-informed actions on SSIs, in general - that they hadn't considered. The two courses (called units in Australia) are not only out-of-sequence (because of the hemispheric difference), but are different in general character. EDU 5517 is an elective course/unit; taken mostly by prospective secondary school teachers. EDST 544 is a teaching methods course/unit, taken by prospective teachers of secondary school science.

**INSTRUCTIONS**
This assignment has 3 parts, as described below:

1. Each team of preservice teachers (from both classes/countries) should set up a table like that given below on the appropriate RiA Project Planning Page (i.e., ACU or OISE). Complete the Project Title and Team Members blanks, being both as concise and as detailed as possible. By **October 14th,** complete the left-hand column (Group RiA Plans) in terms of the required elements of each cell.

Project Title: ................................; Team Members: .................................... - In this cell, provide a description (≥200 words) of the socioscientific issue that will be the focus of your research and actions. - ||  || - In this cell, provide descriptions (>250 words) of the research you plan to conduct to learn more about your chosen SSI. - ||  || - In this cell, provide descriptions (>250 words) of actions your group could develop (and, possibly, take) to address your chosen issue. - ||  ||
 * ** Group RiA Plans ** || ** Feedback From Preservice Teachers in Australia/Canada (with names) ** ||
 * ** SSI Description **
 * ** Research Plans **
 * ** Possible Actions **

2. By **October 21st**, complete the right-hand column (Feedback From Student-teachers in Australia/Canada) for at least 2 project descriptions (from preservice teachers in the other country). In doing so, provide //detailed// feedback for each of the three parts of the plans; i.e., SSI Description; Research Plans; and, Possible Actions. Also, include discussions of what you believe are important/effective characteristics of the nature of research-informed actions on SSIs. (Note: You might ask your future school students to consider such characteristics when planning their RiA projects.) Ensure that you give your names in your feedback. The total word count for all of your feedback should be at least 500 words.

3. By the due date specified by your instructor (**November 4th for ACU students**), submit to your instructor your responses to feedback you received from preservice teachers in the other country about your group's RiA Plans - for each of: SSI Description; Research Plans; and, Possible Actions. In a sense, this is an evaluation of this feedback. What did you like about it and what did you find not so helpful - and, in both cases, for what //reasons//? Perhaps, as well, you have suggestions for responding to constructive feedback from preservice teachers in the other country. The total word count for this reasoned response should be at least 600 words. (Note: In planning your reaction, you can look at feedback given for several of the project descriptions - any of which could provide some useful ideas for your responses.)


 * PRESERVICE TEACHER'S PLANS AND FEEDBACK**

We have provided separate wiki pages for the project planning of student-teachers at each university :