Investigation Action Research Investigating An open questioning way

Investigation & Action Research

Investigating �An open , questioning way of viewing education, teaching and learning such that engaging in any of the tasks or combination of tasks within the investigating cycle. (James, 2001 : 14)

The investigating cycle in Teachers in Action 1. Exploring teachers’ knowledge 2. Identifying topics to investigate 5. Evaluating learning 3. Exploring a topic 4. Investigating in class 6. Resources for the trainer - James, 2001: 50

Action Research Potential Increasingly both professional researchers and classroom teachers are becoming involved in pragmatically – tooted research ‘at the chalk face’. Typically these research projects are designed to find answers to quite small-scale, specific problems…when carried out by teachers they are a prime tool for teacher development (Maley, 1991 : 29).

Action Research Aims & Nature � the systematic study of attempts to improve educational practice by groups of participants by means of their own practical actions and by means of their own reflection upon the effects of those actions (Ebbut, cited in Hopkins 1985: 32). �small –scale intervention in the functioning of the real world and a close examination of the effects of such intervention (Hasley, cited in Bell et al. , 1985: 41).

Key Terms �systematic; �improve educational practice; �groups of participants; �practical actions; �small-scale; �real world,

Key Features & Benefits of Action Research �the teacher as protagonist; �teachers collaborate with colleagues; �teachers improving practice; �investigating by simple means; �“small is beautiful”: being realistic; �being systematic; �the results of investigating are shared; �teachers as reformers.

A Practical Example �identifying topics to investigate; �exploring a topic; �investigating in class; �evaluating learning.

References � Bell, J. , Bush, T. , Fox, A. , Goodey, J. and Goulding, S. (EDS. ) (1984). Conducting Small – Scale Investigation in Educational Management. London: Paul Chapman Publishing in association with the Open University. � Hopkins, D. (1985). a Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Research. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. � James, P. (2001). Teachers in Action. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. � Maley, A. (1991). Classroom Practice: An Overview. In Bowers & Brumfit, C. (eds) (1991). Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching. Review of ELT, 2. 1 London: Modern English Publications in association with the British Council.