Conference presentation
The STAR framework: Educational Action Research and the challenge in extending, embedding and sustaining innovations
2012 University Research Conference Program Book, p.17
USC Research Conference, 2012 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Jul-2012–13-Jul-2012)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2012
Abstract
Purpose: The findings of an educational action research project completed in 2011 involving academics in five health disciplines will be presented. An important aim for the presentation is to seek colleagues' input on how the educational innovation, a transformational learning framework for educators, can be extended, embedded, sustained and researched on a larger scale. Transformative Learning (TL) practices use 'forms of pedagogy that treat students as critical agents; make knowledge problematic; utilize critical and affirming dialogue; and make the case for struggling for a qualitatively better world for all people' (Giroux, 1988, p.127). However TL it is not always familiar to educators. Therefore, members of USC faculty devised a novel framework, STAR, that encapsulates important TL principles. The acronym STAR emphasises key transformative learning outcomes in students: to be Sensitised about pertinent issues, to Take Action, and to Reflect. This presentation will explain the STAR Framework, the Action Research project that evaluated and extended the framework, and the results of the study from the perspective of five disciplines: nursing, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, paramedics and health promotion.. Methods: Using an action research methodology within a 3 cycle process, STAR was trialled and evaluated by an interdisciplinary team of health educators (N= 25) in an Australian university. Data were gathered via individual interviews, focus group discussions and field notes, and were analysed inductively, with member checking of emerging themes to ensure interpretive rigour. Results: Results suggest that STAR is easily understood by users, has relevance for health educators in various disciplines, and holds promise in producing superior educational outcomes. Furthermore, this project resulted in interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the classroom. Conclusion: The STAR framework is a resource created by and for health science educators. It can help identify discipline specific threshold concepts, it can provide potential actions for educators and students to take and it encourages reflection for both educators and students. In order for the innovation to be diffused through the health educator disciplines, future research needs to be undertaken. Your input is sought on how we might achieve this.
Details
- Title
- The STAR framework: Educational Action Research and the challenge in extending, embedding and sustaining innovations
- Authors
- Margaret McAllister (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- 2012 University Research Conference Program Book, p.17
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2012 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Jul-2012–13-Jul-2012)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2012
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449161002621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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