What I've learned about action research

I have learned that action research is a process like the scientific method where educators research the best way to improve teaching practices and student learning. It helps teachers with their professional development and accountability. The first thing you have to do with action research is identify a problem/ pose a question. Once, the problem is identified the educator will research the problem by reading different literature relating to the topic and coming up with ideas and ways to fix the problem. The educator will then try their new idea/technique. They will collect data and analyze this information. If the results are successful, then they will share their results with others, however, if the results are not what they expected, then they will have to go back and work on either revise or coming up with a new technique/idea to try and test it out.

Action research is different than the traditional educational research because it pertains to the educator’s particular campus versus a generic format. Action research can take place in various educational settings. Educators can either participate in action research as part of university/college coursework, superintendent/district meetings, leadership teams, or professional learning communities.In the university/college coursework setting, the educator either writes a proposal for an action research project or conducts the research as part of their curriculum. In the superintendent/district meetings, the educator works with other colleagues on a monthly basis completing interactive tasks that helps then identify an area of study to help them with their own practices. In the leadership team setting, the educator works with other faculty members on their campus where they share problems/ideas, responsibilities, and decision making. In the professional learning community setting, the educator works with other faculty members like the leadership team, however the meetings are more structured and the action research is a continuous cycle.

 I could definitely use it in my classroom. Science tends to be a hard concept for students to grasp. We are always trying new methods and techniques to help students internalize what we teach. I would love to be able to identify the main problem with my student’s learning and to be able to help them learn better. As Department Chair, I would be very pleased if I could find a way to help my team teach our students more effectively. Right now my district is moving toward teaching all 3^rd-8^th graders with PBLs (problem-based learning) 90% of the time. I’m interested in seeing if the students actually do learn better this way.