Action Research

Mentor Training

You may choose to go through these modules in any order. It is estimated it will take 30-45 minutes to complete each module. Upon  completion of  your three modules each semester, please complete the evaluation and submit a form to earn your certificate of completion. These are found on the Conclusion page

Module Introduction

As educators, you engage in action research every single day! After, and even during a lesson, you reflect and think- that went well or that didn't work. You may even think -  I wonder if I had.... This is the foundation for action research.

This module will help you understand the ILP process. The ILP is essentially action research. The ILP is one action research conducted for the duration of the program. The new teachers start with setting professional goals based on the CSTP self assessment. They explore existing resources (journals, conferences,...) and then try new 'actions' to promote student learning with a specific eye to seeing impact on focus students. The reflect on the process and come up with new goals.

In this module, you can watch videos, look at examples and see the steps we take to formalize that "I wonder if I had..." That is action research! The key with action research is that it is about strategically examining the impact of making a small change to our practice. It is different from 'research' in that it's the teacher who is doing the research about their own practice rather than someone who is a researcher and not connected to the classroom. The intended outcome of action research is improved practice.

Once you have viewed the resources below, share your biggest takeaway on this form.

You should spend about 30  minutes looking at any or all of the resources.   

Articles, Research, Blogs

What is Action Research does a great job of describing the different steps of Action Research in education. I like that it reminds us that we should really focus on one change at a time.

Developing Action Research Questions gives 4 tips for how to think about action research questions.

A Teacher's Guide to Action Research in the Classroom  does a great job of detailing action research and the types of topics that are suitable for this sort of research. You will see a video as well as a list of sample questions. I appreciate the reminder that the focus of action research is improving student learning.

Action Research in Education is about a one minute read and gives examples and non examples of action research questions. You can dig deeper by exploring links within the site.

How Teachers Can Learn through Action Research is a great article from Edutopia that details what action research is and gives examples of how one school approached action research and teacher collaboration.