Action Research

Action Research is an method of inquiry in which questions are asked and solutions formed and inacted. Action Research is frequently utilized in an educational setting. A question is formulated, data is collected, data is analyed, the question and data are examined in terms of one another, a plan of action is put in place and finally that plan is examined to determine its effectiveness.

Traditional research askes a question, gathers data and creates a plan of action. The difference in the two types is that Tradional is outside based and Action is inside based. Action research utilizes the teacher or administrator as the main participant. Traditional utilizes an outside obesercer as the main participant. Another diffence lies in the constant reevaluation and tweeking that occurs with Action Research. As data changes actions change. Tradional research is a snap shot. Action research is constantly adjusting and changing.

Action Research creates a Professional Learning Community of active shareholders. By incorporating others opinions, questions, and data, principals and teachers become active members of the research. This leads to greater buy in and support. They seek out change by reflecting on their practices. They do this by posing questions, analyzing the data, reading relevant literature, making changes in practicess based on new understandings developed during inquiry and share findings with collegues (Dana & Yendol-Hoppey, 2009). Inquiry has always been used by teachers in the classroom. The question and answer, evaluate responses and incorporate change strategy has been a corner stone for classroom instruction. It is now being incorporated into administrative leadership in the form of action research.

Communication is the cornerstone for understanding and advancement of any idea. All stakeholders need to provide and receive feedback to help solve problems. A web blog provides stakeholders with an opportunity to have a running discussion and provide each other with questions, data and feedback. It provides a medium for the exchange of understanding and knowledge. Blogs can be set up by departments, subjects, mutual interest or be item/action specific. This would allow all shareholders to contribute to each discussion and broaden the level of understanding.

Resources:
Dana, N.F. & Yendol-hoppey, D. (2009). The reflective educator's guide to classroom research: Learning to teach and teaching to learn through practioner inquiry (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin