Classroom Research Heartland Community College IDC

Classroom Research  Definition –Classroom Action Research is research designed to help a teacher find out what is happening in his or her classroom, and to use that information to make wise decisions for the future. Methods can be qualitative or quantitative, descriptive or experimental.  Gwynn Mettetal

Classroom Research Differences with Formal Research Classroom Research tends to be: Learner-Centered Collaborative Collaborative Context-Specific Context-Specific Practical and Relevant Practical and RelevantContinual

Classroom Research Design of Classroom Research Naturalistic Inquiry Interactive Interactive Multi-focused Multi-focused “Conversational vs. Technological” “Conversational vs. Technological” -Bruce Kochis -Bruce Kochis

Classroom Research Key Steps in the Research Process  Overview of steps and strategies Overview  Decide on a question--Meaningful and important to you. Decide on a question Decide on a question  Read literature on your topic (the ERIC database is an excellent source) ERIC databaseERIC database  Plan your overall research strategy research strategyresearch strategy  Follow guidelines for ethical research ethical researchethical research

Classroom Research Questions: Does discussion work better than lecture for a topic? Do pictures work better than words to illustrate a concept? Does group work improve retention of material vs. individual work?

Classroom Research Classroom Assessment Techniques are great for collecting data are great for collecting data Muddiest Point Background Knowledge Probes Background Knowledge Probes Minute Paper Minute Paper Concept Maps -and on and on

Classroom Research Grading Rubrics are a great way to collect data as well. Talk with your students about their experiences and use that as data IRB and Data Collection (Texas A&M) uidelines.php

Classroom Research Key Effects of the Classroom Research Process  increased sharing and collaboration across departments, disciplines, and grade levels;  increased dialogue about instructional issues and student learning;  enhanced communication between teachers and students;  improved performance of students; –Source: Fairfax County Public Schools, Office of Research and Policy Analysis

Classroom Research Key Effects of the Classroom Research Process  revision of practice based on new knowledge about teaching and learning;  teacher-designed and initiated staff development;  development of priorities for school wide planning and assessment efforts;  contributions to the profession's body of knowledge about teaching and learning. –Source: Fairfax County Public Schools, Office of Research and Policy Analysis

Classroom Research  References – ction_Research.html ction_Research.htmlhttp://mypage.iusb.edu/~gmetteta/Classroom_A ction_Research.html – – 20.html 20.htmlhttp://archon.educ.kent.edu/Oasis/Pubs/ html – page.html page.htmlhttp:// page.html

Classroom Research  References –Cross, P. and M. Steadman. Classroom Research. SF: Jossey-Bass, A Critique from a Traditional Research Perspective – html htmlhttp:// html

Classroom Research  Example of Process from a Stats Class – 7n3/delmas.cfm 7n3/delmas.cfmhttp:// 7n3/delmas.cfm Example of Research Studies by Faculty Using Technology – ations/research.html ations/research.htmlhttp:// ations/research.html