#SEACCR
What is Action Research?
What is Action Research?
Action research is a
hot item in the KPBSD school district.
In fact, a teacher can choose “Action Research” as one of the possible “Teacher
Enrichment Pathways” which is essence, an alternative evaluation process. According to the KPBSD official website, “Action
Research” is defined as:
A teacher working on answering a question
he or she may have in regard to classroom performance, student needs, or the
impact of various teaching methods on learning.
The information is gathered by the teacher and then used to improve
teaching and student learning.
Parsons and Brown (2002) state, “Action research is a form of
investigation designed for use by teachers to attempt to solve problems and
improve professional practices in their own classrooms. It involves systematic observations and data
collection which can be then used by the practitioner-researcher in reflection,
decision-making and development of more effective classroom strategies.
I love how Emily Calhoun (1994) describes Action Research, she
says, “Action Research is a fancy way of saying let’s study what’s happening at
our school and decided how to make it a better place.”
Christine Miller (2007) simplifies the concept by saying that
it is a natural part of teaching. “Teachers
are continually observing students, collecting data and changing practices to
improve student learning and the classroom and school environment. It improves
student learning and the classroom and school environment. Action research provides a framework that
guides the energies of teachers toward a better understanding of why, when and
how students become better learners.”
According to the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), there are five phases of action research. These include:
1.
Selecting
an area or focus
2.
Collecting data
3.
Organizing data/Analyzing and interpreting data
4.
Studying professional literature
5.
Taking action
My conclusion is that action research is finding an area that
needs improvement, learning how to improve it, and getting it done!
Bibliography:
Miller, C. A. “Action research: Making sense of data.” On-line article
recovered 8/23/2013, wwww.coe.fau.edu/sfeel/sensdata.htm.
Calhoun, E. F. “How to use action research in the
self-renewing school.” Alexandria,
VA: Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development, 1994,
Parsons, R.D. & Brown, K. S. Teacher
as Reflective Practitioner and Action
Researcher. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2002.
http://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Lessons_and_Resources/Grants_and_Awards/How%20is%20Action%20Research%20Defined(1).pdf
