FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What might teachers who conduct action research do to reflect on their teaching practices?

1. Attend professional development workshops

2. Videotape their lessons for review

3. Read educational journals

4. Survey their students

The correct answer is: Videotape their lessons for review

Teachers conducting action research often engage in various reflective practices to evaluate and improve their teaching methods. Videotaping lessons is a powerful tool for reflection because it allows educators to view their own teaching from an external perspective. By watching the recordings, they can analyze their instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. This visual documentation helps them identify strengths and areas for improvement, facilitating a deeper understanding of their teaching practices and how they impact student learning. Attending professional development workshops, while beneficial, focuses more on receiving new information rather than self-reflection. Reading educational journals can provide insights into best practices and current research, but it doesn't directly evaluate one's own teaching. Surveying students is useful for gathering feedback, yet it doesn’t allow teachers to initially analyze their own practices critically. Videotaping presents an immediate and personal reflection opportunity, making it an effective method for teachers who are committed to action research.