ACTIVE RESEARCH Group 1 – Assignment 2 Chloe Weaver Narelle Webb Bec Wheldon, Dallas Wolf Emily Weight

What is ACTIVE Research? Active Research is a collaborative method of: Planning Take action Collect data Analyse evidence Reflect Investigation by teachers to: Improve student outcomes searching for the solutions to ‘everyday, real life problems’ experienced in schools, or looking for ways to improve instruction and increase student achievement. (Ferrance, 2000)

The founder, Kurt Lewin believed the motivation to change, was strongly related to action. “If people are active in decisions affecting them, they are more likely to adopt new ways.” (Lewin, 1958) In education, a disciplined inquiry with the intent that action research will INFORM and CHANGE their practices. Primarily the role of the teacher and educating staff, practiced to achieve the following purposes; School based curriculum development Professional development Systems planning School restructuring Evaluative tools (Ferrance, 2000)

“Action research emphasizes the involvement of teachers in problems in their own classrooms and has as its primary goal the in-service training and development of the teacher rather than the acquisition of general knowledge in the field of education.” (Borg, 1965) The reoccurring cycle of action research to better, or rectify a situation is; Plan Act and reflect Observe

In the classroom… The student benefits from the practice and implementation of action research are primarily; the teaching and learning process improves teachers are able to broaden their knowledge and learn their ability to influence and work with others. (Ferrance, 2000) These benefits are the result of the 3 primary reasons for which action research takes place; to PROMOTE personal and professional growth to IMPROVE practice to enhance student learning to ADVANCE the teaching profession. (Johnson, 1995)

The teacher’s role in Action Research Teacher’s must maintain professionalism and follow ethical guidelines and school, educational policies. The base ethical guidelines to be followed, but can of course be extended, consist of the following; Keep your supervisor informed of your research initiatives Be tentative in your conclusions Administer and interpret tests or research instruments only if you have adequate training Be sensitive to children’s perspectives Maintain confidentiality (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2009)

The cyclical process of Plan  Act  Evaluate can be demonstrated as according to Richard Sagor, in ‘Guiding Schools Improvement with Action Research’– seven steps occur during this continuous cycle of educational improvement 1. Selecting a focus 2. Clarifying Theories 3. Identifying research questions 4. Collecting Data 5. Analyzing Data 6. Reporting results 7. Taking informed action Methodology