Wow! Action Research

Research:  (1) A boring way of being told what I am obviously doing wrong by someone who has no idea what it is like to do what I do and then being expected to practice what I learned.  (2)  Sitting for hours reading studies and books on a topic that is foreign to me and then being expected to regurgitate what I read. 

These were the defintions I envisioned when I heard the word, "research."  However, thanks to a new concept called, "Action Research," I have a new opinion and outlook on something I once thought to be a dreary idea.  Action research, also known as administrative inquiry, is the idea that an individual becomes the researcher and solves their own questions through action.  For example, as a teacher we all have issues or problems that we want to solve.  In action research, we, the teacher, take action.  We investigate, question, experiment, interpret data, and discuss our findings.  Now, I know this sounds like a lof of work and who has time for that.  But think of the benefits that one would reap by conducting action research.  I know we promote "student-centered learning" in the classroom.  Well, think of action research as "teacher-centered research."  It is research that enables us to determine the issues we endure and how to better solve them.  To me, the best part of action research is the opportunity to communicate with a community of other professionals.  This open communication allows one to enter the world outside the classroom and learn from others.  It all makes sense, if we expect our students to do it, shouldn't we practice what we preach and become actively engaged in the action of research? 

Action research can be used in a number of ways.  For example, a principal may create leadership teams on his/her campus.  These leadership teams are a small group of faculty and staff that meet to discuss issues and address circumstances facing the campus.   The principal can utilize this time to allow the team time to research the reasons for certain issues (ex.  why are math test scores decreasing) and create a problem solvingn plan based on their findings.  By engaging the leadership team in action research, ensures that not only are the members of the team conducting meetings, but they are also learning.  Action research can be used by a single teacher that is concerned with an issue in their own classroom.  A teacher may decide to research why one of her classes is performing lower than others.  The teacher will analyze all of the circumstances that affect their teaching and student learning.  They will analyze data and design a plan of action.