http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arr/arow/rdiary.html
Monday, August 31, 2009
1.What is action research?
As defined by Mr. Hughes in his Research Electronic Reader, “Action research is not a research method, as many methods of data collection may be used in action research projects. It is, rather, a way of doing research and acting to change situations at the same time.” He goes on to list three types, of which Type 1: the scientific-technical view of problem solving (The researcher identifies the problem and a specific intervention, then the practitioner is involved in implementing the intervention or treatment. (Holter and Schwartz-Barcott 1993:301). ). This would be the one that would most easily work in my science classroom.
2. How can it help you in your profession?
How to keep a Research Diary in the Electronic Reader
http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arr/arow/rdiary.html
This is an interesting article to me and one I will reference in the future as it ties in action research to the world of science and research. Being that I am a research scientist by training, I am inclined to respond to certain buzzwords that are familiar to my world. Action and Research would both fit that category as science is both action and research with the exploration of the how and why aspect of life. In a lab, a scientist is required to keep a lab journal or log containing the details of each and every experiment. As I would tell my students, it is to maintain detailed records so that you can see how you got somewhere and ideas on how to make adjustments if necessary to see different results. It seems like a research diary serves the same purpose for Action Research. I noticed that the steps and language are similar as well. In this electronic reader article, Mr. Hughes lists the key components of the diary and why it should be kept. Some of those include, To provide material for reflections, to record the development of your research skills, to formulate plans of action based on their reflections and knowledge, keep records which accumulate knowledge about the effects of their action, provide a mirror in which to find yourself reflected, get practice and gain confidence in recording research and writing.
I am both a middle school teacher and wellness instructor. This idea of action research can be used in my classroom easiest because my students are required to act like a scientist and keep records of all experiments that they conduct. It would be easy to actually mirror some of the principles in the research diary with those of a lab journal and make extension activities, such as expression projects from it.
Additional thoughts
I like the idea of Challenge learning. This is some information I discovered in the article, Challenge based learning :O’Neill Public Schools: http://oneillcbl.ning.com/
Challenge based learning allows (interconnected way of learning while doing) the opportunity to apply what is known about the upcoming learning styles with the new technologies to provide authentic learning opportunities. These can challenge students using a multidisciplinary approach that is engaging and compel students to apply the newfound knowledge to solving real world problems. Sort of like a community approach to learning and working on projects. This way everyone comes away with a sense of shared experiences and larger group discussions about important issues.
I am curious to see as the year goes on, what others think about this idea and how they plan to utilize it in other teaching arenas.
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