Action research is a journey of self-discovery, in which I learned about myself, my coping strategies, and how to create positive change in reference to a problem in my practice. The problem was addressed by reflecting on my attitudes, values, and beliefs. The journey originated from a multi-faceted question which depicts a change or an improvement that I would like to make in my classroom. By turning the gaze within, this process of research begins with an examination of self as an educator, then students or the classroom situation, and then of what might be done to address the problem. This method of problem-posing then action-taking to discover solutions stems from “Freire´s Popular Education principles, which emphasize that education should be guided by the needs and interests of the learners. Freire believed that education should be a process of dialogue, reflection, action, and transformation” (Pantoja, 2009, p.1). This philosophy is conducive to andragogy, and has practical applications which have helped to link the research on my problem to my practice in Adult Education. Action research, then, is a series actions that address the problem in a manner that is recursive and cyclic in that the results of one action determines the next, and then the next. It is a process which has helped to document my project results in a way that make sense of qualitative data. The emphasis of traditional research is to use quantitative data to document results of an experiment. This is not the focus of action research. My project is a journey which originates from the question, “How can I facilitate a healthy community at North West Regional College?” This project acknowledges a connection between my practice and the impact of the attitudes...
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...s on nutrition and the environment at the College after considering the information presented by Weins (2011). Students decided to host a Nutrition Fair, which would provide them with an opportunity for hands-on learning as well as to teach their fellow students. Nancie agreed that they could also use the project for credit in the Adult 12 Psychology class. One group of Adult Basic Education students wanted to present a dental project focusing on best practices of dental hygiene for children based on some personal experiences that they went through with their own children. Other students formed groups based on their interests and planned their presentations and displays.
Students worked in their respective classes to complete their projects, as well as gave of their own time after classes, to collect information for their displays and put the displays together.
Action research is a research process that is reflective in nature and typically conducted in school settings. These types of research enables professionals in school settings to collaborate on the components of a study, and allows them to search for solutions to the common everyday challenges that educators experience in schools (Ferrance, 2000). Educators can use the process of reflection through action research to better understand their work and build professional knowledge as they strive for
Methodology Action research in simple terms can be explained as “learning by doing” (O 'Brien, 2001). It involves learning, identifying a problem, initiating and implementing suitable steps to resolve, observe the actions implemented and repeat the process until it yields expected result. Figure 1. Susman’s Action Research Model. Adapted from “Action research: sociotechnical systems perspective” by Susman, 1983. Action research acts as a medium for learning along with a scope to research, above figure
optimal learning opportunities. The Elton report (1989) suggests that poorly differentiated lessons can cause behavioural problems. Behaviour management is one of the additional learning outcomes I expect to achieve with the study. Regarding action research methodology, there will be no theory/practice gap because theory and practice will be developed together 'there is nothing so practical as a good theory' (Greenwood, et al., 1993, pag 187).
with problems and seek a plan of action to solve these problems, they benefit from the use of action research designs (Creswell, 2008). Sometimes seeking to understand on-going problems is not enough, especially as these problems hinder the quality of education our children receive at schools. Action research offers researchers the opportunity to take measures towards solving the problems affecting education within their immediate surroundings. In action research, teachers become the researchers
Chapter 1. What Is Action Research? A succinct definition of action research appears in the workshop materials we use at the Institute for the Study of Inquiry in Education. That definition states that action research is a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking the action. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the “actor” in improving and/or refining his or her actions. Practitioners who engage in action research inevitably find it to be an empowering
Methodology Action Research According to Bassey (as cited in Koshy, 2005), action research is basically an examination that is used for interpretation, assessment and bringing changes accordingly to enhance educational practice. According to Reason & Bradbury (as cited in Koshy, 2005), action research focuses on bringing real results and also helps in generating new forms of understanding, in the absence of understanding action is sightless and useless (Koshy, 2005). The results gathered by action research
Introduction Action research has become a popular form of research for institutions and educational organizations to improve professional and personal practice. Action research provides participants with the opportunity to work together to explore, investigate and solve a problem. In this paper I intend to explore what action research is, how and when to use it and the different challenges practitioners face when using action research. Action research is an important form of research that allows
Final Essay This essay will discuss the best practices in action research and it will provide an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of current theories. It will include the criteria for choosing best practices in action research. Also, you will find a discussion on the common threads and themes that is important to my development as a profession. The Best Practices in Action Research Action research can be defined upon the assumption that all people who affect or are affected by the issue
It is my conviction and my personal belief that after having revised multiple different methodological approaches that could be applicable in my research, I came to an initial conclusion that methodology itself is subjective and is based on the path I am taking. As a follower of Sufism, I cannot offer one single path though; in fact, as stated in the Quran, there are many paths as the whole of mankind (Chittick, 1989). Sufi scholars act on the premise that one path is inapplicable to all seekers
Action research refers to teacher-initiated classroom investigation which is undertaken by teachers to increase their understanding of classroom teaching and learning, improve the situation in which their practice is carried out, and bring about change in their classroom practices (Kemmis & McTaggart, 1988 in Richards & Lockhart, 1996). It is small scale enquiry in classrooms, consisting of phases which recur in cycles: planning, action, observation, and reflection (Richards & Lockhart, 1996). The
Action Research vs. Traditional/Basic Research Paper Research can be defined as collecting data, information, and facts to gain knowledge. Research can be used as a tool to engage an efficient approach to one’s practice and provide them with effective data to make changes based on what he or she may have learned from the research. By conducting research, school administrators gain knowledge about not only their practice but their staff members, students, and district. Thus providing the administrator
Affirmative action is the process of improving employment, hiring, and admission practices for groups previously discriminated against. Executive Order 10925 issued by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 created the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and introduced affirmative action to the country. Affirmative action is a way of compensating for the previous 345 years of slavery and legalized discrimination. Higher education has been utilizing affirmative action in their admission processes
Research can be seen as an orderly approach to investigate a subject matter for the purpose of obtaining and adding new knowledge (Ross, 2005 Ed). Research in education, is very dynamic because of the change we experienced in the 21st century classroom. “The movement of people and the transition of culture and language to the classroom and how we deal with it are answer through the use of researches” (Opie, 2003). The paradigm shift in the job market to a more technological advance environment the
the connection it has with the action research. As said by Wallace (2001) the process of reflection should be formalised, as it were, and the classroom teacher should also become a researcher. But, to go to this point, which requirements does it need? We know the act of researching properly requires a set of abilities, akcnowledges, time, resources, among others issues. What Wallace (2001) suggests is that teachers might be more interested in a type of research which is more under their own control
Research is systematic way to find out facts and knowledge as Kothari (2006) has analyzed that research is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment; the search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solutions to a problem. However there are two types of researches one is by Purpose and other is by method. The type by purpose falls into three categorize such as Basic, Applied and Action Research. Basic Research: Basic research is