A UQ education researcher is empowering teachers in rural communities around the world by giving them the tools to identify solutions to practical problems in the classroom.
Dr Eileen Honan, Senior Lecturer in the UQ School of Education, met with the Deans of the Faculty of Education at Indonesian Teaching University (UPI) in Bandung and Jakarta Teaching University (UNJ) during a recent visit to Indonesia to discuss collaboration on Action Research as a tool for professional learning.
Dr Honan has previously trialled the use of an Action Research Book for Teachers as part of an Australian Development Research Award (ADRA) funded project in Papua New Guinea, for which she received a Faculty Innovation Excellence Award.
Discussions were held at both Indonesian universities about the possibility of extending the research on the effectiveness of the book as a support for teachers undertaking their own Action Research projects in Indonesian schools.
The workbook is designed to serve as a simple and easy to understand tool that assists teachers with their own Action Research activities without having to rely on facilitators.
Representatives from the Indonesian universities reported that the workbook is easy to follow and would be a great support to Indonesian teachers.
They said that Action Research could be one method for Indonesian teachers to upgrade their careers.
Through meeting with the two Indonesian teaching universities, Dr Honan hopes to forge a common interest and develop joint research opportunities.
To discuss how you can further your partnerships with Indonesia, please contact Ms Ratu Sovi Arinta, Chief Representative UQ Indonesia, at sovi.arinta@uq.edu.au.
