Action Research
Action research is an essential
process for education to evolve to meet the needs of the students of today and
tomorrow. Action research is an ongoing process of reflection and action to
produce the most effective learning environment possible. Educators can conduct
, practice-oriented research to improve their classroom practice. By collecting
data about their daily activities, problems and outcomes for the purpose of
improving themselves as teachers and their students as learners
Three Purposes for Action Research
Action research can be engaged in by an
individual teacher, a collaborative group of colleagues sharing a common
concern, or an entire school faculty. The three different approaches to
organizing for research are:
Building the reflective practitioner
When
individual teachers make a personal commitment to systematically collect data
on their work, they are embarking on a process that will foster continuous
growth and development.
Making progress on
school-wide priorities
Focusing
the combined time, energy, and creativity of a group of committed professionals
on a single pedagogical issue will inevitably lead to program improvements, as
well as to the school becoming a “centre of excellence.
Building professional
cultures
Importance of Action Research:
Professionalize teaching.
Enhance the motivation and efficacy of a weary faculty.
Meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body.
Achieve success with “standards-based” reforms.
Advantages
a) It
helps educators use data, rather than preferences or hunches, to guide
improvement efforts.
b) It
leads directly to actions that change the environment
c) It
helps to develop the quality of students and the professional growth of teachers
Steps of Action Research
Phase 1 Identification of the problem
Introduction
Problem Analysis
Explanation
is needed on how the teacher has identified the problem
Research Question
Techniques & Methods applied
for evaluation of the identified problem
Observation,
survey etc
Need & significance of the
study
Objectives of the study
a) To
prepare an action plan
b) To
solve the particular problem
Related studies
10-
15 studies
Phase 11- Plan of action
Action hypothesis
The
action plan prepared. It will help to solve the problem
Participants- the number of students
Plan
strategies adopted
Day
1
Day
2
Day
3
Day
4
Phase 111- Implementation of the
plan
Teacher
observed the results through students’ behavioural changes.
Phase 1V Observation, collection & analysis of
data
Teacher
took notes, making observations after each activity. The teacher did a follow-up survey.
Phase V Reflection and sharing
Teachers
reflected on the actions, surveys and upon the positive results. Real problem
was solved
Conclusion
References
Appendices
