What Is Action Research? Action Research is : Action Research is : - A research methodology - Participative - Responsive - Cyclic “A cycle of posing questions, gathering data, reflection and deciding on a course of action”

Significance Of Action Research Bring change in classrooms and schools Bring change in classrooms and schools Fosters discipline and systematic inquest Fosters discipline and systematic inquest Make powerful individuals via combined teams Make powerful individuals via combined teams Promotes reflection on practice Promotes reflection on practice Vehicle for creating professional learning communities Vehicle for creating professional learning communities Seeks to narrow gap between vision and practice Seeks to narrow gap between vision and practice

Practical Steps For Action Research Discover a focal problem, issue or question Discover a focal problem, issue or question Discuss with other and locate resources Discuss with other and locate resources Prepare a strategy for data collection Prepare a strategy for data collection Collect data Analyse and interpret the data/report Develop an action plan Apply a plan Reflect throughout procedure

Purpose of Action Research Action to improve + Research to understand

Early History of Action Research Kurt Lewin ( ) “Father” of Action Research “Father” of Action Research Wrote his theory down in a paper titled “ Wrote his theory down in a paper titled “Action Research and Minority Problems” in 1946 Lewin described Action Research as a comparative research "that uses a spiral of steps, each of which is composed of a circle of planning, action, and fact-finding about the result of the action”

What is Methodology? “the branch of philosophy that “the branch of philosophy that analyzes the principles and procedures of inquiry in a particular discipline” analyzes the principles and procedures of inquiry in a particular discipline” (Princeton University, 2009) Application to Action Research? - Gives teachers and researchers a general method to follow when undertaking Action Research to provide structure and purpose

Five Phases Of Action Research Phase One – Identification Phase One – Identification Phase Two – Plan Of Action Phase Two – Plan Of Action Phase Three – Data Collection Phase Three – Data Collection Phase Four – Analysis of Data Phase Four – Analysis of Data Phase Five – Plan For the Future Phase Five – Plan For the Future

Methodology Action Research is cyclical in nature Action Research is cyclical in nature Each cycle has four steps: Each cycle has four steps: - Study and plan - Take Action - Collect & Analyse - Reflect

How Do I Do Action Research? The basic Steps of an action research process constitute an action plan: The basic Steps of an action research process constitute an action plan: - Review current practice - Identify an aspect to investigate - Identify an aspect to investigate - Plan - Plan - Act - Act - Reflect - Reflect - Modify - Modify - Monitor - Monitor - Review & Evaluate - Review & Evaluate

How Do I Do Action Research?

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Get permission from the people involved in the research project Get permission from the people involved in the research project Avoid topics that may cause physical or emotional harm Avoid topics that may cause physical or emotional harm Keep your opinions and biases to yourself Keep your opinions and biases to yourself Choose subjects that are beneficial your research Choose subjects that are beneficial your research Get the relevant approval before starting your research Get the relevant approval before starting your research Report the results accurately Report the results accurately Keep confidentialality Keep confidentialality Keep others informed at all times Keep others informed at all times Keep good faith Keep good faith

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BENEFITS OF ACTION RESEARCH Creates stronger bonds between the teachers that are collaborating together as a team. Teachers will gain an understanding of their own practices, they can then decide what they would like to see changed and what they would like to remain the same. The teacher determines what issues to research and can then help develop and carry out the change needed to get to the final result. The decisions that are made due to the action research outcome have been determined by the teachers themselves.

Increase morale among teachers Increase morale among teachers Increase teamwork amongst teachers and students alike as well as push students to strive for greater achievements. Increase teamwork amongst teachers and students alike as well as push students to strive for greater achievements. Allows teachers to gain hands on knowledge with different research methods. Encourages changes in schools

What Action Research Is NOT Action research is NOT just problem solving Action research is NOT just problem solving Does NOT start from a pile of problems Does NOT start from a pile of problems It is NOT a research that studies a single person and their issues It is NOT a research that studies a single person and their issues Does NOT treat people as objects and disrespect them or their personal issues Does NOT treat people as objects and disrespect them or their personal issues It does NOT just come up with data to then form conclusions It does NOT just come up with data to then form conclusions It is NOT the scientific method applied teaching. It is NOT the scientific method applied teaching.

How can Action Research be applied to Teaching ? Allows for teacher’s to build a reflective practice in the classroom Allows for teacher’s to build a reflective practice in the classroom Uses a systematic approach to testing and analyzing an idea Uses a systematic approach to testing and analyzing an idea Contributes to a diverse and professional culture within teaching Contributes to a diverse and professional culture within teaching Is typically directed and controlled by teachers in the classroom and can work in collaboration with students Is typically directed and controlled by teachers in the classroom and can work in collaboration with students Builds confidence within decision making process Builds confidence within decision making process

Through feedback from families Through feedback from families and the wider community and the wider community Summaries of children’s progress Summaries of children’s progress can be collated and evaluations can be collated and evaluations undertaken for further planning undertaken for further planning and extension and extension Brainstorm ideas of extension with class and colleagues, also allowing for opportunity capture interest and skill Brainstorm ideas of extension with class and colleagues, also allowing for opportunity capture interest and skill Understanding needs of individual child, through observing practices and specifying learning Understanding needs of individual child, through observing practices and specifying learning

Are the results of Action Research Subjective or Objective

Cognitive development is separated into objective and subjective data Cognitive development is separated into objective and subjective data Subjective data is implemented through qualitative research Subjective data is implemented through qualitative research Objective data is implemented through quantative research Objective data is implemented through quantative research The brains activity explores this data and distinguishes how to use the required information The brains activity explores this data and distinguishes how to use the required information

Objective or Subjective ? Based on an observation and is worked on Based on an observation and is worked on achieving in the classroom The efforts and actions intend to allow students to obtain an accomplishment and or set goal The efforts and actions intend to allow students to obtain an accomplishment and or set goal Activity is that of an actual existence and is real to life Activity is that of an actual existence and is real to life Is not influenced by their emotions Is not influenced by their emotions Has to do with a material object Has to do with a material object

Conclusion of Group Six Action Research The experience implemented in the classroom is proven The experience implemented in the classroom is proven OBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE