REFLECTING ON ACTION RESEARCH
One thing I learned from this week's readings is that action research is not about reinventing the wheel. It is about analyzing data and tearing it apart to find what is applicable on my campus. The translation of data, or looking at similarities in demographics and academic needs, can lead you naturally in the selection of an action research topic.
Prior
to meeting with my site supervisor, I explored several topics for my action
research project. I initially had a list
of about eight topics. I then thought
about my interests and concerns within my practice which narrowed my scope to
four topics/questions which I presented to my site supervisor:
1. What
is the best way to incorporate iPads into the classroom? How can the iPads be used as an assessment
tool and enhance student engagement?
·
My site supervisor immediately rejected the
iPad topic due to a lack of funding. We
currently have 50 iPads for use on a campus of just under 900 students. She did not see that it would be feasible to
gain enough data with our limited resources and stated that no additional iPads
were going to be purchased.
2. How
will the use of classroom/teacher blogs increase parent involvement in the
classroom and on the campus?
·
My site supervisor and I discussed the parent
involvement on our campus. Through our
discussion, we decided that we actually have very high parent involvement and
this is not an area of concern on our campus.
Just for my personal knowledge and experience, I will be utilizing a
classroom blog in addition to my class website next year.
3. Is
assigning science based reading homework an effective technique for increasing
scientific literacy?
·
Because our STAAR scores in 5th
grade science were not where we would have liked them, this was a topic that
sparked an interest from my principal.
While she did not feel that this would be the best topic for my research
project, she would like to see this gradually implemented across all grade
level K-5.
4. How
can incorporating problem based learning (PBLs) enhance student participation
and attitudes, and improve student achievement?
·
Again,
due to STAAR test results this is an area of need/concern on our campus and
across our district. Therefore, I will be doing an action research project over
the implementation of PBLs and student engagements and academic achievement.
After
discussing these four topics, my site supervisor and I agreed upon the 4th
topic: How can incorporating problem based learning (PBLs) enhance student
participation and attitudes, and improve student achievements? I have scheduled a follow up meeting with my site supervisor to make modifications to my original action research plan. I will soon be joining a PBL cadre...and so the adventure begins!
I look forward to reading about your action research project. I'm not familiar with PBL, so I'll be learning from you. Your opening explanation was great. The videos presented action research in a practical way.
ReplyDeleteTracey, I really enjoyed reading your post. It is interesting to hear what other site supervisors are saying is relevant to their schools. I liked all of your ideas. I have heard that our school has been selected as a test site for implementing ipads in the classroom, but nothing firm yet. The county wants to test the idea at a small school before they go through the expense of purchasing them for every school. I think the PBL is a great subject for action research and it is great to know that you have a site supervisor willing to support your quest. I will enjoy hearing how students respond to this method of learning.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see that you went to your supervisor with more than one option and were able to see the feedback on the spot. I think it's important to pick something that will peak your interest so you can maintain motivation and assist in student achievment.
ReplyDeleteI am so very excited about your action research project because Project/Problem-Based Learning is a topic a feel extremely passionate about. In fact, I was very close to doing my action research over this very topic!!! As a former social studies and ELA teacher, I have witnessed the great power of student-led projects in PBL. Problem/Project-Based Learning increases student engagement while also enhancing their critical thinking skills. I have conducted PBL workshops in the past, so I have some great information if you need it. My email address is bkirby@esc5.net. I look forward to learning about your research!!!
ReplyDeleteBridget,
DeleteI would love to get my hands on whatever research/information you have pertaining to PBL. I will send you an email soon. I am very excited about the opportunity to implement PBL, research the process/outcomes, and present the findings to my campus and district representatives.
If you are middle school or Biology science teacher I have access to some PBL's that's are aligned to the Texas STAAR TEKS. I can email them to you.
ReplyDeleteI actually teach 2nd grade math/science. If you have any literature on PBL, I would love to have that. Thanks
DeleteTracey- you have some interesting topics listed! I am not familiar with PBL's so I am hoping to learn more through your plan. I agree with your statements made about action research.
ReplyDeleteOur science scores THIS year are not where we would like them to be! We are very concerned as the STAAR date for Science approaches. I am interested to read more about your implementation of problem based learning. I am wondering if your district has a district wide science curriculum in place, or if it created and implemented at the building level. I wonder if that might impact your use of something different. Will you be doing this in one class room or will you use it across the grade level? So many questions! I can't wait to read more! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMariellen: We have district curriculum, but we have some liberties in modifying the curriculum. I am a curriculum writer and will be working with the elementary science curriculum coordinator and the other curriculum writers to incorporate the PBLs into the curriculum. While these may not be required on a district level, the PBL lessons will be mandated across my campus. We will be somewhat of a test site in this next school year. If the benefits are proven with our district assessments & STAAR scores, I believe they will be mandated across the district. Throughout my research, I will be doing site visits and interviewing staff at complete PBL campuses at neighboring districts. I would love to see our campus work cross curricularly with PBL. I am excited about this adventure!
ReplyDelete