Action Research Session 2 Creating an action research

Action Research Session 2: Creating an action research question © Jennifer Ludgate, 2019

Aims: • Understanding what we mean by a PICO question • How to decide on a project focus • Sharing your ideas for an action research project • Predicting issues and considering possible solutions

So far this term… • You have got to know your class/students. • You have taught in the same way as previously. • You have identified areas of your teaching or your students’ learning that you want to improve. • You have observed others’ teaching practice.

Homework – rigour and reasoning Based on your feedback, popular areas of focus are: Behaviour management – low-level disruption Debate and discussion in class – making it purposeful Students’ ability to understand complex ideas – cognitive load theory

How do these areas of focus link to the whole -school priorities? Do they have to?

What is a PICO question/statement? P P – Problem with pedagogy: Specify which group of students you will focus on. C C – Comparison (not always needed to begin with): Which class or group will you compare your outcomes to? I I – Intervention or strategy: What intervention are you going to trial after considerable thought and reading? O O – Outcome: What would you like the outcome to look like if the intervention is successful?

Examples of PICO statements: I want to improve my modelling with my Year 4 class by using WAGOLL compared to a class not using WAGOLL in order to improve students’ quality of extended written responses. I want to improve the use of peer assessment with Year 9 by using Ron Berger’s peer critique compared to a class using WWW and EBI in order to ensure students can successfully and accurately critique their own and each other’s work. I want to improve the recall and retention of my Year 13 class by using distributed practice compared to a class not using distributed practice in order to improve students’ examination scores.

How to decide upon an intervention: • Use the suggested strategies list to help you decide on an intervention. • Discuss your problem/outcome with others in the group. • Use the Teaching & Learning library resources to read around your area of interest.

Next steps… • Decide on your PICO statement by _______. • Send it for review to _______. • Begin implementing the strategy after wider reading has been completed. • It is expected that you will be observed by a peer using your strategy – this will be for feedback purposes only and not until the second term!