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Action Research in Education

Action Research in Education. Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU. Jack Whitehead, Action Research, Principles and Practice, McNiff, 1988, ix. We must find a way of bridging the traditional divide between educational theory and professional practice. Definition (1).

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Action Research in Education

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  1. Action Research in Education Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  2. Jack Whitehead, Action Research, Principles and Practice, McNiff, 1988, ix • We must find a way of bridging the traditional divide between educational theory and professional practice. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  3. 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

  4. Definition (2) • Action research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice, systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  5. What is action research? • Action research can be described as a family of research methodologies which pursue ACTION (or Change) and RESEARCH (or Understanding) at the same time. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  6. What is AR? (Cont’d) • Action research is inquiry or research in the context of focused efforts to improve the quality of a PRACTICE. • It is typically designed and conducted by practitioners who analyze the data to improve their own practice. • Action research can be done by individuals or by teams of colleagues. The team approach is called collaborative inquiry. • Action research has the potential to generate genuine and sustained improvements in schools. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  7. 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

  8. Participatory Action Research (PAR) • PAR is research involves all relevant parties in actively examining together current action (which they experience as problematic) in order to change it and improve it. • They do this by critically reflecting on the historical, political, cultural, economic, geographic and other relevant contexts. • It aims to be active “Team-Research”, by and for those to be helped. • It cannot be used by one group of people to get another group of people to do what they think is best for them ; • AR is genuinely democratic or non-coercive (By practitioners for practitioners) • Reference Wadsworth, Y. (1998) Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  9. How Action Research is Done? • 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

  10. 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

  11. Why AR? • It is participatory ; • It is “from within” and not from an external “Expert’s 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

  12. Why AR? (Cont’d) • It is the most logical way of doing research on societal and community issues. • Sometimes, it does not make sense to go to an outsider ,with often shaky or no knowledge of the given situation, thinking that with a few questions, he/she can get enlightening answers. • It is difficult to grasp the issues of a group or community by an outsider who has limited interaction with the group. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  13. 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 Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  14. What is action research? • Action researchis systematic inquiry done by teachers (or other individuals in an educational setting) to gather information about, and subsequently improve, the ways their particular educational setting operates, how they teach, and how well their students learn(Mills, 2000). Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  15. When do you use action research? • To solve an educational problem; • To help educators reflect on their own practices • To address school-wide problems • When teachers want to improve their practices Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  16. Teacher and school inquiries (e.g. teacher-initiated research studies) 2000s 1990s School-based site councils (e.g. School Committees) Professional inquiry by teachers (e.g. self-study) 1980s 1970s In-service days (e.g. teacher staff development activities) Toward Action Research in the USA How did action research develop? Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  17. Action Research Practical Participatory • Studying social issues • that constrain individual lives • Emphasizing equal • collaboration • Focusing on “life-enhancing • changes” • Resulting in the emancipated • researcher • Studying local practices • Involving individual or team- • based inquiry • Focusing on teacher development and • student learning • Implementing a plan of action • Leading to the teacher-as-researcher Action research designs Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  18. Identify an Area of Focus Develop an Action Plan Collect Data Analyze and Interpret Data Practical action research: The Research Spiral (Mills, 2000) Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  19. Participatory action research • Participatory: people conduct studies on themselves • Practical and collaborative • Emancipatory (Challenges procedures) • Helps individuals free themselves from constraints found in media, language, work procedures, and power relationships • Reflexive focused on bringing about change in practices Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  20. Action Research Interacting Spiral Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  21. Key characteristics of Action Research • A practical focus • The educator-researcher’s own practices • Collaboration • Dynamic process • A plan of action • Sharing research Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  22. Practical focus • A problem that will have immediate benefits for • Single teacher • Schools • Communities Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  23. Study of the educator-researcher’s own practices • Self‑reflectiveresearch by the educator-researchers turns the lens on their own educational classroom, school, or practices. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  24. Collaboration Students Community Stakeholders Teachers Collaborative Team Parents Staff Administrators Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  25. 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 Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  26. 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

  27. 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 Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  28. The problem is only one phase in which to enter Identifying “Problem” Collecting Data Evaluating Existing Data Taking Action Point of Entry Point of Entry Point of Entry Point of Entry Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  29. What are the steps in conducting action research? • Determine if action research is the best design to use. • Identify the problem to study • Locate resources to help address the problem • Identify the information you will need Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  30. Taxonomy of action research data collection techniques Action Research Data Collection Techniques (The Three E’s) Examining Experiencing Enquiring (by using records) (By observing) (By asking) Participant Observation (Active participant) Archival documents Journals Informal Interview Maps Structured formal Interview Audio and Videotapes Passive Observer Questionnaires Artifacts Attitude Scales Standardized Tests Fieldnotes Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  31. What are the steps in conducting action research? • Implement the data collection • Analyze the data • Develop a plan for action • Implement the plan and reflect Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  32. How do you evaluate action research? • Does the project clearly address a problem or issue in practice that needs to be solved? • Did the action researcher collect sufficient data to address the problem? • Did the action researcher collaborate with others during the study? Was there respect for all collaborators? Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  33. How do you evaluate action research? • Did the plan of action advanced by the researcher build logically from the data? • Is there evidence that the plan of action contributed to the researcher’s reflection as a professional? • Has the research enhanced the lives of the participants by empowering them, changing them, or providing them with new understanding? Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  34. How do you evaluate action research? • Did the action research actually lead to change or did a solution to a problem make the difference? • Was the action research reported to audiences who might use the information? Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  35. 10 Coping StrategiesJean McNiff, Action Research, Principles and Practice, McNiff,1988, 144-145 1. Don't Give Up2. Enlist the Help of Colleagues3. Keep a Positive Attitude4. Be Prepared to Compromise5. Be Generous6. Go Public7. Join a Local Action Research Group8. Establish a Reputation for Success9. Publish Reports in Journals10. Have Faith in Your Own Knowledge. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  36. 10 Guidelines for TeachersFullan and Hargreaves (1991), quoted in Change Forces, Fullan, 1993, 144 • 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. • Commit to continuous improvement and perpetual learning. • Monitor and strengthen the connection between your development and students' development Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  37. Improving School Effectiveness Using the PDSA Cycle and The Action Plan Carlos Viera Miami-Dade Count Public Schools Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  38. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  39. 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. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  40. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  41. Benefits of PDSA Instructional Cycle • Teachers have flexibility inhow to teach by focusing onwhatto teach. • It emphasizes key skills for every student and allows them to retainskills in order to build higher skills. • It encouragescollaboration among teachers, students, and instructional support staff. • It promotes active learning and student involvement in the learning process. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  42. It places the ultimate responsibility of learning on the learner • It alignsplanning, instruction, assessment, and support towards students performance. • It is data driven so it removes subjectivity. • It contributes to climate of achievement and success. • It is a proven approach that achieves results. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  43. The Eight-Step Process Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  44. An Example: The PDSA Cycle at the School Site Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  45. Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  46. AR Links • http://educ.queensu.ca/projects/action_research/15quote.htm http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/reflect/act_res.html http://arj.sagepub.com/ Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  47. Action Research (Geoffrey E. Mills, 2nd Edition) • Slides from Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  48. A Comparison of Traditional Research and Action Research Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  49. Action Research engages teachers in a four-step process • Identify an area of focus • Collect Data • Analyze and interpret data • Develop an action plan Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

  50. The values of critical action research dictate that all educational research should be socially responsive as well as: • Democratic- Enabling participation of people • Equitable- Acknowledging people’s equality of worth • Liberating-Providing freedom from oppressive, debilitating conditions • Enhancing-Enabling the expression of people’s full human potential (stringer,1993 p.148) Action Research - Power Point by: Dr. Tarek Chebbi, FIU

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