Thoughts on Action Research
Educators do not simply teach, we do far more beyond the call of duty. Conducting research or being a researcher is another method added to the list. Action research is the act of exploring the effects of an innovation or a change within one’s own environment. Most research we read about is done by professional researchers who study something from a distant, removed position and then make their conclusions and recommendations based on what they measured. However, there are much about the intricacies of the environment in which they may miss! Action research is when the research is conducted by those who are living and working in the very environment they are researching. The study and measurements are done by those who are impacting and driving the change. As educators, we are experimenting all the time – trying a new method or activity in the hopes of reaching the unreachable or increasing understanding of a difficult concept. We then gauge the efficiency of the activity based on the results and decide if we need to alter it or change it some more or find something else. How cool would it be to have actual data to back up that new innovative idea you started implementing that has gotten such great results? Action research provides just that opportunity!
Upon entering this class, I was unaware of the concept related to action research. Surprisingly to knowledge, I’ve conducted this method daily. In the educational field, teaching is at the forefront. Teachers undoubtedly construct reflection towards their work. It’s a daily task to improve on techniques and reaching out to students. Throughout implementation, feedback is generated from colleagues and students without realizing this has taken place. Through this process, active research arises.
Individuals trained in fields of research do not fully grasp the concept of teaching. Quite often and sadly, research is dismissed as irrelevant to real life instruction in the classroom.
What I’ve also learned that worked, action research encourages teachers to examine the dynamics of the classrooms. I always find myself critically thinking about actions and interactions with students, confirm or challenge existing ideas and practices related to risks in the process.
However, educators engage in this activity daily. Teachers do not have an ample amount of time to conduct the research. “Time” seems to be the universal language amongst educators. Factoring in professional developments, certification testing, and planning, time seems borrowed. Throughout the school year and the summer, teachers are on the go. Often, half of the summer break is filled with trainings. However, I have learned that this research establishes effective change. The authenticity from professionals within the field that is done by teachers strictly for their colleagues is reassuring. This creates relief because administration will encourage teachers to partake on a regular basis.
I created an Action Research Outline (click to open) for a problem which I wanted to investigate in my math classroom. In our problem solving, I noticed that the students were struggling with the basics of mathematical concepts. This is a problem since gaining understanding of equations, knowledge of steps in order to solve problems is necessary. I researched what recent studies were saying about the use of technology in Math classes and the blended learning method offered extensive promising results. My literature review (click to open) dives into the reasons and research behind my study idea. Craig Mertler, in his book Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators, Provided resourceful formats that can be utilized in my action research and further enhance an active learning experience with technology for learners in the classroom. For this I created a plan (click to open) outlining the process, the data and the results.
Action research is examined by a professional in the field they’re studying. Collaboration, observation, and planning are part of the process alongside reflection. This process enhances a plan of action. This format challenges instructors to go beyond the call of duty. Meritocracy within the profession shall only produce sub-par results. Instead, educators should emphasize on classroom dynamics that will compliment active interaction and challenge students in the process to build off various ways of instructional learning techniques.
The four stages of action research are:
Identify the area of focus
Collect data
Analyze and interpret the data
Develop a plan of action based on the findings
Out of four stages, nine steps are included. Two steps that serve as a task to conquer is the first and fifth step. Step one: identify and limit the topic of study. Being that the topic is new, some information is readily available while other sources are a little scarce. Overall, the topic of blending is vast with a plethora of valuable information, but narrowing topics is a task that must be done on my behalf.
Step five: Collection of data. Data comes in various forms. Surveys, assessments, behavioral management, and observations. Separating entities into a well formatted documentary aid is important relating to my research question. Having each area thoroughly analyzed will shape a well-rounded action research plan.
Students will be presented with a survey on Survey Monkey to check their level of understanding in relation to mathematical comprehension. (Click to open).
It’s no secret, teaching is a complex and versatile profession. With distinct ways of implementing structured and instructional methods, it’s nearly impossible to narrow down to one fit method. My goal is to further analyze effective approaches of enforcing active and student-centered learning under the blended learning umbrella. The traditional methods are outdated and lack in a variety of ways within our present time. In Math, there are several formulas, two-step problems, fundamental skills (that must be met in order to solve problems), and various ways of solving such problems. Blended learning is an exciting and innovative tool that will take time to critique and perfect over time. Observation of students in correlation with their reaction and results from reactions will better shape the process as well.