Action Research: How can I use it?

Action research is a way to grow as a professional simply by digging into what you can do to improve your students’ achievement levels or other issues currently at your school.  It sounds like a “win win” situation, but some teachers and principals may be reluctant to indulge in such activities because they seem overwhelming at first.  Action research involves identifying a problem, developing and implementing a plan, collecting and analyzing data, and evaluating and sharing results.  The key to all of this is to make sure at the end of the project you can apply it to how you are teaching and continue to use the information to improve as a professional and the learning environment at your school.  It is a continuing spiral of research, evaluation, and action that makes teachers and principals more aware and allows them to take ownership for their actions.

This kind of research should not only be applied in school.  Business owners should conduct the same type of research to improve their work environment and bottom line.  Doctors use the same type of research on their patients, and even our personal relationships benefit from constant learning and growth. 

Conducting action research is a great way to gain respect from your peers and students.  It shows that you are an active learner and not someone who's simply interested in dishing out orders.  Action research allows you to be a proactive member of your school.  This is extremely important considering most of us spend our day in a reactive manner dealing with students and unexpected issues.

I am very excited to engage in this type of learning and professional development.  I know it will not only help me, but it will have a measurable impact on my department at Lamar University and the students, faculty, and staff we serve.