Richard Schmuck demonstrates how educators can use personal reflection and action research to convert frustrations into solvable problems and improved professional practice.Richard Schmuck demonstrates how educators can use personal reflection and action research to convert frustrations into solvable problems and improved professional practice. This book is a modern catalyst for change in higher education. I have made it required reading for doctoral students, administrators, and faculty who must update their pedagogy to raise student learning. This is a wonderful book for learning communities to use to self-evaluate prior to beginning new teaching techniques, and throughout the process. A comprehensive tool to support learning communities as they endeavor to improve professional practice. Foreword Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Reflective Professional Practice Reflections of the Future, Past, and Present Reflective Educators Seek Self-Knowledge The Search for Self-Knowledge Leads to Solitary Dialogue Self-Knowledge and Solitary Dialogue Lead to Professional Maturity Mature Educators Try to Improve Continually Using the Tools of Reflection to Move Toward Action Research Journal-Writing Assignments 2. Educators and Continuous Improvement Three Faces of Continuous Improvement Action Research: Two Types of Social Scientists Differences Between Action Research and Traditional Research An Example of Action Research Processes of Continuous Improvement Journal-Writing Assignments 3. Action Research: Definitions, Models, Steps, and Phases Contemporary Need for Action Research Definitions of Action Research