What is "action research" and how can it benefit the future of education? Let's dive deeper.
When it comes to classrooms today, it's common to see things such as: flexible seating, technology use and implementation, and open dialogue discussions among in small groups. Behind the scenes, umpteen preparations were made to ensure those lessons were structured, prepared, and delivered properly!
Discovering unforeseen problems and creating solutions is the new norm for educators around the world. Some of these solutions can be dealt with in seconds. Others take careful reflection, research, and deeper planning. Completing "action research" is one way teachers can discover BETTER, more effective ways for their pupils to learn. With each classroom being as unique as grains of sand along the shore, action research can be implemented year after year for new, exciting, and specifically tailored results.
So, you ask, HOW can "action research" be targeted and developed from beginning to end?
Let's run through a scenario example to brainstorm and create one together...
According to Craig Mertler's text "Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators" it explains that any good research will begin with a PLANNING stage. There are many templates available online to help anyone get started investigating.
The example template below is great for discovering the ROOT of a problem/solution that might pique your interest. Here I have filled information surrounding an educational inquiry I had the other day...
After jotting down your OWN ideas, it's important to consider if this problem/solution topic is suitable for action research. This can be done through additional brainstorming! Ask coworkers about this topic, inquire with students directly, has this been an ongoing problem, is it a new problem that might work itself out, can benefits develop through a deeper understanding or analysis? If yes, then let's decide our next steps!
The following template has been filled in to demonstrate a plan for "blended learning" action research. The ACTING, DEVELOPMENT, and REFLECTION stages will come directly after the completion of this planned design development brainstorming step.
Ready to try this for yourself?
Begin by following this outline below, or try one of the brainstorming templates from above!
PLANNING STAGE
The first PLANNING stage occurs through brainstorming and creating a plan for study.
Always consider: What is the topic of your action research? What is the purpose of your study? What is your fundamental research question?
ACTING STAGE
After planning comes the conduction of ACTION for the research study.
Always consider: What is your research design? Will you utilize qualitative, quantitative, or both (mixed-methods) for data analysis? Why? What is the most appropriate type of data to collect?
DEVELOPMENT STAGE
Acting is followed by the DEVELOPING data phase of the research study.
Always consider: What types of measurement instruments will you use?
REFLECTION STAGE
After developing comes the final REFLECTING stage of the action research study.
Always consider: What is the focus of your literature review? Was there a cause and effect? How will you tell others of your findings?
Using my own brainstorming templates from above, I hope to conduct this action research in the near future! But first, I must conduct additional research on the topic of Blended Learning to ensure the best scope of understanding clearly before beginning. Therefore, my Literature Review will be edited, reviewed, and revised with additional studies tailored to the action research ideas I have mentioned throughout this post.
I hope you follow me on this learning journey!
We may be surprised with our findings.
References
Interactive Developmental Templates | Online Resources. (n.d.). Edge.sagepub.com.
Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://edge.sagepub.com/mertler6e/student-
resources-0/interactive-developmental-templates
Mertler, C. A. (2019). Action research: improving schools and empowering educators (6th
ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
Stevens, E., & Dropkin, M. (2019, June 21). Research methods. Press.rebus.community.
https://press.rebus.community/introductiontocommunitypsychology/chapter/
community-research/
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