Teachers To Become Researchers: Reality And Prospects

The "Teacher-as-researcher movement'', on the initiative of Lawrance Stenhouse during the 1970s, brought to people the idea of "teacher as researcher' which has been highly valued and carried out throughout the world.In our country, during the past twenty years, educational research in middle schools has brought about many remarkable achievements. We have many research-oriented headmasters and teachers. But with the coming of Knowledge Economy, teachers are now faced with new challenges. It is pressing that we middle school teachers should become researchers. In view of this, the writer makes a study of the current conditions of teachers research in middle schools, analyzes the factors that hinder the teachers becoming researchers and tries to find out the countermeasures as well.The dissertation is made up of three parts.Part one traces back the idea of ''teacher as researcher" and its historical significance. The writer also sets forth the focus and features of teachers' research in middle schools. The current significance of"' teacher as researcher" is also stated in this part.The second part is an investigation of the current conditions of teachers' research by means of questionnaires and interviews. It shows that teachers have realized the importance of educational research, but they lack ability and initiation. The writer analyzes its causes from different angles.Part three puts forward the writer's suggestions to help teachers become researchers. The measures are as follows: stimulating the teachers internal motives to engage in research; improving the training program for teachers according to their psychological and mental development so as to renew their knowledge and ideas; creating the beneficial environment for teachers to be researchers.