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Action Research

Action Research. www.ef.com/teacher. What is Action Research?. “ is not simply to describe, interpret, analyse and theorise – the stuff of traditional research - but to act in and on a situation to make things better than they were.” Altrichter et al (1993-4). How does it differ from research?.

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Action Research

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  1. Action Research www.ef.com/teacher

  2. What is Action Research? “ is not simply to describe, interpret, analyse and theorise – the stuff of traditional research - but to act in and on a situation to make things better than they were.”Altrichter et al (1993-4)

  3. How does it differ from research? • Conventional Research is: • Product orientated • Top-down • Undertaken by a third party

  4. How does it differ from research? • Action Research is: • Focus on process rather than product • Undertaken by participants rather than a third party • Bottom-up rather than top-down • Cyclical

  5. Focus on process rather than product • Focus not on publishing • Focus on self-development

  6. Undertaken by participants • Action research is done by teachers for their own development rather than by third parties with a different agenda.

  7. Bottom-up rather than top-down • Research is carried out by teachers for their own benefit and development, not dictated from above • Teachers can choose areas of research according to personal interest and needs

  8. Cyclical Planning Action Reflection Observation Kennis and McTaggert 1988

  9. What are the benefits for a teacher? • Insight and analysis • Professional interaction • Development • Experimentation • Improved skills and confidence

  10. How does this affect the class and the students? • Better classroom practice • More creative lessons • Raised student motivation • Happier students

  11. How can I do action research? • Peer observation • Self-observation • Questionnaires • Reading • www.onestopenglish.com • www.teachingenglish.org.uk

  12. Peer observation • Who to observe? • What to observe? • How to observe? • When to observe?

  13. Who to observe? • Check with other teachers • Experience and qualifications • Areas of expertise • Observation triangle

  14. Observation Triangle Teacher A Teacher C Teacher B

  15. What to observe? Think about: • Areas you want to improve • Methodologies you are interested in • Colleagues and their knowledge

  16. Examples of areas for action research • Use of group work • Teacher interaction patterns • Implementation of lexical approach • Task based learning • Effective warmers • Error correction in free practice activities • Applying Multiple Intelligence theories to the lesson • Giving instructions

  17. How to observe? • Make an observation sheet • Focus on one area rather than the whole lesson • Observation can last between 10 mins and a complete lesson • Feedback to the teacher you have observed • Teacher Training and development\Diploma\2005\Portfolio\Portfolio Task 1\Obseravtion tasks\Instument One C.doc • Teacher Training and development\Diploma\2005\Portfolio\Portfolio Task 1\Observations\Observation Seven.doc

  18. Feedback • Be positive • Let teacher see results of observation • Discuss what you saw in class • Never discuss with 3rd party without the consent of the teacher

  19. When to observe? • Give the teacher at least 2 days notice • Depends on area / scope of research • Warmers – only the start of a lesson • Error correction – at the appropriate part of lesson

  20. Self-observation • Choose area • Right up notes on lesson immediately following lesson • Review after ‘thinking’ time • Try the same activities with different groups • Be as objective as possible

  21. Designing questionnaires • keep it short • Make it easy to fill in • Avoid too many open questions • Design questions carefully • Keep the language simple or use the students’ L1 • Hyperlink to sample questionnaires

  22. Summary Action Research is a highly effective tool for teacher development. It empowers teachers to take responsibility for their development This results in better classroom practice and happier students

  23. www.ef.com/teacher

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