EDP125 Assignment 2

2. EDP125 Assignment 2

3. Purpose, Methology and Value of Action Research For Primary School Teachers Research Teaching Success Philippa Corden, Georgina Davis, Melissa Delbridge and Anna Davis

4. ACTION RESEARCH • What is Action Research? • Why Conduct Action Research? • How do we Conduct Action Research?

5. What is Action Research “Systematic study of an issue or problem by a teacher or other practitioner, with the goal of bringing about more productive outcomes for children” (McDevett & Ormrod, 2009. p 56).

6. Why Action Research?

7. Why continued…

8. Thesteps

9. Identify Area of Focus You have some ideas of how you think things can be improved

10. Planning

11. Develop and Implement an Action Plan

12. Analyse / Interpret Data • Data provides ‘proof’ of issue • Computing statistics percentages, averages, correlations and coefficients • Relate patterns observed with original questions • Use of graphs and pie charts to interpret the results of the research

13. Analyse current data Photography/ Video Student Research

14. Triangulation of Data Collecting Methods (Waters-Adams, 2006)

15. Reflections Reflections

16. The Value of Action Research

17. Advantages • Can be adapted to suit any issue or environment • Promotes shared understandings and approaches • Cyclic nature • Change is owned and managed by the participants

18. Advantages continued… • Collaboration builds trust and support • It can start small and grow over time • Outside help can be invited • Empowers teachers

19. Negatives • Time Constraints • Lack of Resources • Bias • Resistance to Change

21. Development and Practice of Action Research • Keep a diary or journal about your everyday observation in the classroom • Collect information and observe children who seem disengaged and not interested in learning • Talk to colleagues about issues that they seem to have problems with • Ask parents to help research issues that may concern them

22. How to write an Action Research Report • Write a statement of what you investigated • The methods you used • What did you find out? • What was the result of your research? • Where do you go from here?

23. Reference: Feldman, A. & Weiss, T. (n.d.). Suggestions for Writing the Action Research Report, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Retrieved 28/10/09 from http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~afeldman/ARreadingmaterials/WritingARReport.html McDevitt, T., & Ormrod, J. E. (2009). Child development and education. Fourth Edition. New Jersey: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall. McNiff, J. (2002). Action Research for Professional Development: Concise advice for new action researchers. Retrieved 13/10/09 from http://www.jeanmcniff.com/armethodofcare.html Murica, K. & Powell, B. (n.d.). Action Research and the Professional Development of Teachers: The Waikiki Primary School Experience. Retrieved 2/10/09 from http://www.education.murdoch.edu.au/clcd/docs/EducationReview Queensland Government, Department of Education and Training. (2002). Boys, Gender & Schooling. Retrieved 2/10/09 from http://education.qld.gov.au/students/advocacy/equity/gender-sch/action/action.htmlScience across the Curriculum. (2004, March 17). Professional Development through Collaboration, Inquiry and Reflection. Retrieved 27/10/09 from http://www.educ.mun.ca/sac/inquiry.html Waters-Adams, S. (2006). Action Research in Education. Faculty of Education: University of Plymouth. Retrieved 16 & 23/10/09 from http://www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/actionresearch/arhome.htm