Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
We must find a way of bridging the traditional divide between educational theory and professional practice.
Definition (1)
Action research is a research that ANY of us can do on his/her own practice to improve it. It can be conducted with the assistance or guidance of professional researchers in order to improve strategies, practices, and knowledge of the environments within which they practice.
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Definition (2)
Action research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice, systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research.
Why AR?
AR gives educators new opportunities to reflect on and assess their teaching; To explore and test new ideas, methods, and materials; To assess how effective the new approaches were; To share feedback with fellow team members; To make decisions about which new approaches to include in the practice.
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Using a Cyclic or Spiral process which alternates between Action and critical Reflection, and
Continuously refining methods, data and interpretation in the light of the understanding developed in the earlier cycles.
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Characteristics of A.R.
It is an emergent process which takes shape as understanding increases; It is an iterative process which converges towards a better understanding of what happens; It is participative (Change is usually easier to achieve when those affected by the change are involved) and qualitative.
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Why AR?
It is participatory ; It is from within and not from an external Experts eye Very real presences can emerge in the dynamically unfolding relations which can teach us new ways of conducting our practice.
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Key Topics
Purposes and uses of Action Research Types of action research designs Key characteristics of action research Steps in conducting an action research study Evaluating an action research study
Teacher and school inquiries (e.g. teacher-initiated research studies) Professional inquiry by teachers (e.g. self-study)
Participatory
Studying social issues that constrain individual lives Emphasizing equal collaboration Focusing on life-enhancing changes Resulting in the emancipated researcher
Collect Data
Practical focus
A problem that will have immediate benefits for
Single teacher Schools Communities
Collaboration
Students
Teachers Community Stakeholders
Collaborative Team
Staff Administrators
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Parents
A dynamic process
Dynamic process of spiraling back and forth among reflection, data collection, and action Does not follow a linear pattern Does not follow a causal sequence from problem to action
A plan of action
The action researcher develops a plan of action Formal or informal; involve a few individuals or an entire community May be presenting data to stakeholders, establishing a pilot program, or exploring new practices
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Sharing research
Groups of stakeholders Local schools, educational personnel Local or state individuals Not specifically interested in publication but in sharing with individuals or groups who can promote change
Point of Entry
Point of Entry
Point of Entry
Point of Entry
Examining
Enquiring
(By asking)
Informal Interview Structured formal Interview Questionnaires Attitude Scales Standardized Tests
Passive Observer
10 Coping Strategies
Jean McNiff, Action Research, Principles and Practice, McNiff,1988, 144-145
1. Don't Give Up 2. Enlist the Help of Colleagues 3. Keep a Positive Attitude 4. Be Prepared to Compromise 5. Be Generous 6. Go Public 7. Join a Local Action Research Group 8. Establish a Reputation for Success 9. Publish Reports in Journals 10. Have Faith in Your Own Knowledge.
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)
Locate, listen to and articulate your inner voice Practice reflection in action, on action, and about action. Develop a risk-taking mentality. Trust processes as well as people. Appreciate the total person in working with others. Commit to working with colleagues. Redefine your role to extend beyond the classroom. Push and support principals and other administrators to develop interactive professionalism. 9) Commit to continuous improvement and perpetual learning. 10)Monitor and strengthen the connection between your development and students' development
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Improving School Effectiveness Using the PDSA Cycle and The Action Plan
Carlos Viera Miami-Dade Count Public Schools
Plan-Do-Study-Act
An approach to process analysis and improvement. Involves constantly defining and redefining the customers needs and wants. PDSA is a versatile tool that can be used for planning, problem solving, and decision making- to solve problems in the classroom.
3. 4.
1. It places the ultimate responsibility of learning on the learner 2. It aligns planning, instruction, assessment, and support towards students performance. 3. It is data driven so it removes subjectivity. 4. It contributes to climate of achievement and success. 5. It is a proven approach that achieves results.
3. Instructional Focus
Deliver Instructional focus lessons to students based on schedule.
4. Assessment
Administer an assessment to identify mastery and non-mastery students.
5. Tutorials
Provide tutorial time to re-teach non mastered target areas.
6. Enrichment
Provide enrichment opportunities for mastery students.
7. Maintenance
Provides materials for ongoing maintenance and re-teaching.
8. Monitoring
Principal assumes the role of instructional leader, involved in teaching and learning process.
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Plan :
Disaggregate data: Know where you are/going To show improvement Evaluates teachers/students Ongoing to identify any problems Provides instructional direction Create Calendar to achieve goals
Do :
Instructional Focus: Make it a school wide activity Provide instructional focus sheets to teachers and other faculty Solicit feedback from teachers Ask students randomly what is the instructional focus.
Act
Reinforce review what has been taught Refocus (Development) -remediate during school hours for nonmastery students Refocus (Enrichment)- mastery students receive advanced or challenging work
Study
Provide frequent assessments Collect data to identify mastery and/or non-mastery Assessments should look and feel like accountability tests. Teachers should meet to review scores and share improvement ideas.
AR Links
http://educ.queensu.ca/projects/action_research/15quote.htm
http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/reflect/act_res.html http://arj.sagepub.com/
Who?
Conducted by university professors, scholars, and graduate students on experimental and control groups
Where?
The values of critical action research dictate that all educational research should be socially responsive as well as:
1. Democratic- Enabling participation of people 2. Equitable- Acknowledging peoples equality of worth 3. Liberating-Providing freedom from oppressive, debilitating conditions 4. Enhancing-Enabling the expression of peoples full human potential (stringer,1993 p.148)
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Statement. Observation: Students take a lot of time to learn problem solving in mathematics, but this process doesnt appear to transfer to their acquisition of other mathematics skills and knowledge
Question: How can I improve the integration and transfer of problem-solving skills in mathematics?
Write an area-of-focus statement Define the variables Develop research questions Describe the intervention or innovations Describe the membership of the action research group Describe negotiations that need to be undertaken Develop a timeline Develop a statement of resources Develop data collection ideas
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
What general ideas do you have for action research? What is your area of focus? Complete the following statement: The purpose of the study is to Conduct an initial search of the related literature using ERIC on-line Conduct an action plan that includes an area-of-focus statement, definitions, research questions, a description of the intervention, membership of the action research group, negotiations to be undertaken, a timeline, the necessary resources for the project, and data collection ideas
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU
Outline of AR report
1. Area of Focus 2. Related Literature 3. Defining Variables 4. Research questions 5. Description of the intervention 6. Data collection 7.Data Analysis 8. Action Plan
Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU