Action Research

Action research is a process used to implement changes in a school. It begins with identifying a problem that needs to be fixed. For my own classroom, it may be how to increase student engagement or how to increase literacy rates. Once the problem is identified, you seek out relevant information on the topic and read through previous research done on the topic. You look for ways to make positive changes in the classroom that would lead you towards fixing the identified problem. After analyzing the results of those changes made in the classroom, you share your results with those around you.

I am looking forward to choosing an action research project to start on in the next couple of weeks. I am always looking for ways to improve my classroom. This will allow me to feel more confident in my teaching and provide my students with a better experience in my classroom. It allows me an opportunity to model life-long learning for my students as well. Classrooms are a great place for action research, but there are other areas it can be used in as well.

Action research is not just for classroom teachers to use with their own students, it can also be used in other ways. Principals can collaborate during district meetings and choose action research projects for their schools. Principals can also collaborate with staff members to choose inquiry topics for the school. Groups of teachers can work on an action research project together. It provides a great platform for collaboration among educators and a great way to deliver positive change for the school. Action research is a great tool for my future use in education.

The information I learned about action research was found from the following sources:

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, a Joint Publication with the American Association of School Administrators.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. P. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

Ringler, M. C. (2007). Action research an effective instructional leadership skill for future public school leaders. AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice, 4(1), 27-42. Retrieved July 17, 2013, from http://www.aasa.org/uploadedFiles/Publications/Journals/AASA_Journal_of_Scholarship_and_Practice/Spring-07vFINAL.pdf#page=27