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