Action Research

Until this class the term "Action Research" was unknown to me.  Research in any area was finding answers to questions for the sake of finding the answers, but action research goes a step further by implementing that answer to solve a problem or simply make a process or system better.  It simply provides the impetus that can create a positive change.  Action research has an infinite array of uses in the educational arena from the head principal of the campus down to the classroom teacher. 

My head principal keeps his door open and many times when I walk by, he is at his computer.  Through discussions with others I have been told he loves doing research to find answers that can make the educational process on our campus easier and more productive.  In the interview with him during the EDLD 5311 class I remember him saying that he doesn't search for books or online articles that can make his job easier.  He strives to find new solutions and processes that can make a classroom teacher more effective.  One topic that he and I will work on is the topic of teacher effectiveness.  This is the topic that I have chosen as my action research project that will hopefully shed light on techniques that effective teachers use the classroom.

We have instructional coaches for every department that have made teaching easier by researching possible activities for their classroom teachers to implement for the various units that a teacher may need help with.  I have on a couple of occasions this past school year received help in this manner to infuse my teaching with fresh ideas that the IC researched for me.

As classroom teachers we can research the effectiveness of our teaching particular TEKs by gathering information before and after a unit test or common assessment.  We can find whether our students are grasping the concepts being taught and whether there are certain TEKs that need to be retaught before moving on to another unit. 

These are just a few possibilities of how action research can help in the educational process, but by no means are they exhaustive.  The possibilities are endless with the today's means of sharing information.