Action research is a way of solving problems. The kinds of problems that can be dealt with are endless: student behavior problems, learning styles, project management, professional growth and development, statistical research, knowledge acquisition, certification programs, and much, much more. Harris, et. al. (2007) says that "inquiry is investigating in a systematic way. Inquiry is examining data, asking qustions, and requesting more information. The inquiry process, based on logical reasoning, requires the collection of information in a systematic way." (p. 5)
In the course of taking classes at Lamar, I have discovered that I really need to change my style of teaching to a project approach. Action research would be useful to learn how to organize my classes to be taught in this manner and how to go about doing it. In addition, action research would be useful in developing the projects for my computer applications classes to use. I would like to learn ways that businesses use various applications in the course of their daily work and then develop projects that mimic their activity. Another use for action research in developing a project approach would be to discover projects that have already been created that could be adapted for use in my classroom.
Completely agree--if you base your curriculum on meaningful projects, students will properly learn many necessary skills that will apply to the career field. They will learn to work cooperatively, meet firm deadlines, become better problem solvers, and develop critical thinking skills through the inquiry method you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteAll of your posts are so insightful and productive. Like Holly, I agree that if we can help our students and ourselves engage in PBL, problem-based learning, I students will become much more invested in problem-solving and learn creative and critical thinking skills.
One of my former Principal students, Darren Allman (now head football coach at Austin Westlake) did a powerful action research with another group of coaches entitled, "Athletics Pay," the theme and conclusion focused on athletes having much higher attendance rates, fewer discipline referrals, and higher completion (graduation) rates, and thus with ADA, Average Daily Attendance and in some cases WADA (Weighted Average Daily Attendance that provides more funding for at-risk and special pop students) the improved attendance paid in more funding, and the improved graduation rate and academic achievement led to higher campus accountability ratings. So I love your suggestion - if we discover that athletics and UIL pay off, what can we do to involve those students who have not traditionally been attracted to school. One of the experiments I tried in my last year as an administrator of a dropout recovery program was allow a teacher and students to form a "gaming" club to play those internet games and they actually trained to challenge some of the university gaming teams, and it did improve attendance - the teacher had a policy, no pass/no credit led to no play, and it worked. We also attracted partnerships with the university in other areas of interest.
So I am so glad to see you action research plan and will look forward to following and supporting it!
Dr. Jenkins