Theory and Practice

I was particularly interested in the connection between theory and practice in this week's readings, in the connection between the Alvarez piece (practice) and the Lauer and Asher introduction and Ede. In particular, when Ede quotes Phelps about the equally important components of theory and practice (322), it underscored Alvarez' efforts in the classroom experience as teacher action research. In my own practice, I realize that I have often had the initial motivating concern and even posed some questions, but I usually haven't followed through with a full-fledged rhetorical inquiry or empirical research. However, I have the sense that my questions were legitimate and were enough of a substantial direction that they could have led to some interesting teacher research.

I also very much appreciated Lauer and Asher for the clearly delineated definitions of key terms like "construct" and conceptual and operational definitions, as well as the distinctions between rhetorical and empirical research. It may not be dry as dust after all!