© Rima Kubiliene Basics of Action Research Action Research is the study of social situation with a view to improving the quality of action within it John Elliott

© Rima Kubiliene Summary of Action Research method from Comenius seminar Improving teaching work. Self-evaluation in practiceImproving teaching work. Self-evaluation in practice

© Rima Kubiliene Basic idea: attitude of reflecting about ones own practice and asking for feedback from the persons affected. Main features: done by teachers themselves done by teachers themselves actual practice as starting point for research actual practice as starting point for research AR uses simple methods for research and continuous improvement of ones own AR uses simple methods for research and continuous improvement of ones own action and reflection always relate to each other creating a cyclical process| Action followed by reflection leading to further action, modified or enhanced by reflection. action and reflection always relate to each other creating a cyclical process| Action followed by reflection leading to further action, modified or enhanced by reflection.

© Rima Kubiliene Cycle: action action plan Practical theory reflection

© Rima Kubiliene Why Action Research? AR is approach in which the practitioner examines interesting situations of his/her own practice whish may be perceived as either positive or negative in order to bring about qualitative change. This may be: To improve the quality of teaching or interaction in professional situations To improve the quality of teaching or interaction in professional situations To improve the understanding of professional situations and to expand the repertoire of strategies to deal with these situations and finally To improve the understanding of professional situations and to expand the repertoire of strategies to deal with these situations and finally To increase knowleadge about the profession and contribute to the achievements of the profession in public To increase knowleadge about the profession and contribute to the achievements of the profession in public

© Rima Kubiliene Action Research process ACTIONRESEARCH Question/problem Doing research ( Collecting information/data) HOW? WHO? By means? OBSERVING Self- obsevation Research Diary COLLECTING FEEDBACK Obsevation by others Person, Institution By people affected Critical Friends Talk to a Colleague Giving and taking Feedback Questionnaire Interviews Instant feedback methods Video, Fotos, Tapes Analysis of Documents

© Rima Kubiliene ASSESSING Compiling information/ reducing data INTERPRETING What does the information/ data mean? DRAWING CONSEQUENCES What are our conclusions? Which steps do we take as a consequence? DOCUMENTING What do I want to document? What can be interesting for colleagues?

© Rima Kubiliene Concept of Critical Friends in Action Research Definition: Critical friends should be able to empathize with their partner and have a liking for him/her, but must at the same time be able to give informative and honest feedback Idea: Critical friends meet or write regularly, they have established a relationship of trust which allows for criticism, they are partners that keep at a critical distance. They should be able to give feedback that is not asked for. They have the intention of supporting each others learning process.

© Rima Kubiliene Instruments for collecting data Research diary Research diary Observation notes Observation notes Tape recording Tape recording Interviews Interviews Photographs Photographs Videotaping Videotaping Questionnaire Questionnaire

© Rima Kubiliene Instruments for asking feedback Pupils: one- minute paper, open letters, snapshot, smilies, photos, interviews, questionnaire... Learning journal/diary... Pupils: one- minute paper, open letters, snapshot, smilies, photos, interviews, questionnaire... Learning journal/diary... Colleagues: concept of Critical Friends for reflection, observation, feedback..., interview on how colleagues are affected by your work. Colleagues: concept of Critical Friends for reflection, observation, feedback..., interview on how colleagues are affected by your work.