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Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycles
The myImpact trials process resemble action-research inquiries based on Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles of continuous improvement to design, deliver, and assess learning. During a trial, a team of teachers chooses a learning design or practice focus that they hypothesize will make a difference in student engagement and academic learning.
Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles are iterative problem-solving and improvement cycles used in various fields, particularly in quality management, continuous improvement, and action research. The PDSA cycle provides a systematic approach for implementing and testing changes or interventions in a controlled manner to drive improvement.
The PDSA cycle consists of four key stages:
Plan: In this stage, the concern or goal is identified, and a plan is developed to address it. The myImpact “Plan” stage includes considering the current level of student engagement and academic focus area proficiency with a target of improving both. During the “Plan” stage, teams also define the strategies, actions, or changes to be implemented.
Do: During the "Do" stage, the planned learning design or instructional strategies are implemented to test and learn from the effects of the changes. It is important to document the learning design or instructional strategies tried as well as to collect data during the “Do” stage.
Study: In the "Study" stage, the effects and results of the implemented lesson design or instructional strategy changes are evaluated and analyzed. Data is compared against the beginning levels collected during the baseline data collection period. This analysis helps assess the impact of the changes, identify patterns, trends, or problems, and gain insights into what worked and what needs improvement.
Act: Based on the findings from the study stage, the "Act" stage involves making informed decisions and taking appropriate actions. This may include adopting or refining the learning design or strategy tried. The act stage feeds into the planning stage for the next trial, initiating a new cycle of experimentation and further refinement.
The iterative nature of the PDSA cycle allows for continuous learning and improvement by systematically testing changes, gathering data, analyzing results, and making adjustments based on evidence. Each cycle builds upon the knowledge gained from previous cycles, promoting a cycle of ongoing improvement and problem-solving.
PDSA cycles are often used in improvement initiatives, action research projects, and organizational change efforts to drive progress, refine strategies, and achieve better outcomes. They provide a structured and adaptable framework for iterative problem-solving, allowing individuals or teams to experiment with changes, learn from the results, and make evidence-based decisions to drive continuous improvement.