Adam and Eve in the Garden of Action Research

by Jennifer Webster

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The scene that comes to mind as I reflect on my brief exposure to action research is Adam standing naked in the Garden of Eden, reaching up to take some fruit from the tree of knowledge. He bites into the fruit only to discover that his inquisitiveness about the nature of the fruit leads him to begin asking questions about many things that he had previously taken for granted. He also wonders what is beyond the garden walls, and what the view of the garden would be like from outside, and what Eve sees as she stands there passively looking at him. When he asks Eve this question, she is surprised but delighted that he wants to hear her opinion. He realises from her response that she sees him very differently than he sees himself, and as they begin to talk and ask each other questions, he also notices that she values different parts of the garden than he does. Taking each others hand, they explore the garden, showing each other their favourite places, and eventually they find a gate in the garden wall and together find the latch that allows them to open it. As they leave the garden, a voice says to them, "Be sure to take notes on everything you see, do and hear." Fortunately, this request does not dampen their spirits and they go on a walk that takes them up hills and down into valleys. Each time they reach the crest of a hill they turn to look back and they have a better view of the garden. They begin making plans as to how they could turn the garden into a more exciting place to be. When Adam and Eve come back to the gate, the voice says,

"Show me your notes, they must be validated."

However, in the process of discovery, note-taking was forgotten, but the confidence and enthusiasm within Adam and Eve transport them through the gate and they begin implementing their plans. Although they find that they must continue taking their walks outside the walls in order to see the garden from a different view, when they return, they are pleased with the home they are fashioning for themselves, and eventually the voice at the gate becomes their voice, expressing joy with their discoveries and sharing these with others who pass by. Fortunately, Adam never covers himself up, because exposing himself to reality and remaining vulnerable to critical reflection keeps him honest and humble.

Cast of Characters:

Adam - action researcher and teacher

Eve - students and/or critical friend

Voice - academic researcher

Passers-by - community of educators

Author - teacher and learner

Themes: Vulnerability, Voice, Validity