Practice-based research (praktiknära forskning) is a concept frequently used in educational sciences to focus on research relevant for teachers and their practices. In this paper it is argued that critical action research together with the theory of practice architectures can be a successful combination for both teachers and researchers to gain a deeper understanding about how to change practices by understanding the practice and where it takes place. Critical action research should be understood and conducted in three broad realms that seek to develop aspects of practice, develop understandings of practice, and develop understandings of the site where it takes place. Asking oneself critical and provocative questions about these dimensions of practice in the company of others, challenges practitioners to change existing ways of working in the here-and-now. Through the lens of the theory of practice architectures, analyses can help teachers to be aware of what enables and constrains practices. The conclusion of the paper is that action research together with the theory of practice architectures, in line with other models of practice-based research allows more focussed study of learning and understanding than it does on the right method for teaching.
Utbildning och lärande. Tidskrift