ACTION RESEARCH By Toni McConnell Rachel Milliken Sarah Montefiore Biljana Milovanovic

ACTION RESEARCH The study that a teacher, or other practitioner, may conduct in relation to an issue or problem, with the aim of discovering more prolific achievements for children The study that a teacher, or other practitioner, may conduct in relation to an issue or problem, with the aim of discovering more prolific achievements for children

IMPORTANCE OF ACTION RESEARCH Proactive and constant improvement of teaching methods, programs and policies ensuring attentive, organised and enhanced understanding of educational context. Proactive and constant improvement of teaching methods, programs and policies ensuring attentive, organised and enhanced understanding of educational context.

ACTION RESEARCH Research EvaluateAction Reflection

ACTION RESEARCH PROCEDURES - Recognise Area of Interest - Research Plan - Data Collection - Analysing and Interpreting Data - Construct the Plan of Action - Review Plan

RECOGNISE AREA OF INTEREST - Identify problem area or issue - Undertake groundwork research - Use preliminary results to ascertain some research questions

RESEARCH PLAN - Determine methods for data collection - Organise resources required - Prepare proposed schedule to complete answers to questions - Request direction and assistance from peers and field specialists.

DATA COLLECTION - Quality of data collected is of high importance e.g. it must be precise, useful, applicable, legitimate and consistent; - Methods of data collection include questionnaires, surveys, interviews, observations, portfolios/journals, existing records; - A minimum of two methods are essential.

ANALYSING AND INTERPRETING DATA - Identify any patterns in collected data - Obtain percentages, averages, or determine if the results are correlation coefficients, etc. - Comprehensive review of the data required if primary method of data collection was through an activity such as observation;

CONSTRUCT THE PLAN OF ACTION - Encourage contribution by all (teachers, students, supervisors, colleagues) to adopt the new approach - Put plan into action - Use data collected to design realistic and relevant approaches to changing Instructional techniques, counseling methods, school policies techniques, counseling methods, school policies

REVIEW PLAN - Were the findings suitable to the problem? - What did you learn from the research? Did you answer the research questions appropriately? - Communicate findings with colleagues and discuss implementation measures with them - Be prepared to review and change your introduction tactics if required

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS - Maintain confidentiality and respect the right of privacy - Obtain consent from students/parent for participation and be sensitive to children's needs - Certain tests and instruments must only be used by a person with adequate training - Supervisors must be kept informed of the process - Ensure sufficient data to substantiate the conclusion

BENEFITS OF ACTION RESEARCH FOR STUDENTS - Provides more effective services for students - Addresses challenges in meeting students needs - New teaching methods are being produced to improve education and increase student knowledge

BENEFITS OF ACTION RESEARCH FOR TEACHERS - Provides more effective services for students - Address challenges in meeting students needs - Information collected used to identify new strategies to improve learning outcomes

BENEFITS OF ACTION RESEARCH FOR SCHOOLS - Potential to improve school culture and increase student success - To develop awareness of complexity of school culture - Improved communications

TIPS FOR CONDUCTING ACTION RESEARCH - Review results of implementing the change(s) - Maintain a journal on observations and associate your findings with scientific substantiation - Adjust the method of implementation as required - Share findings with fellow colleagues/supervisors (as well as parents & students if applicable)

CONCLUSION Every student should be given the opportunity to expand their dominant intelligences, together with the opportunity to strengthen their weak intelligences. Every student should be given the opportunity to expand their dominant intelligences, together with the opportunity to strengthen their weak intelligences. Teachers who implement Action Research create numerous benefits for all participants involved, directly resulting in positive learning outcomes for students

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