Action Research Cycle

Stepehn Kemmis develop a simple model of the cycle nature of the AR process, a cycle that has four steps:

PLAN           ACT           OBSERVE           REFLECT

The central question is HOW CAN I HELP MY STUDENTS IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF THEIR LEARNING?

This can be broken down into these specific questions:

1 What is my concern in my practice?

2 What am I going to do about it?

3 What evidence will let me make a judgment about what I did?

4 How will I validate any claims about what I have done?

Gerald Susman developed a somewhat more elaborate model by distinguishing five phases to be conducted within each research cycle. Initially, a problem is identifying and data are collected for a more detailed diagnosis. This if followed by posing several possible solutions, from which a single plan of action emerges and is implemented.

Data on the results of the intervention are collected and analyzed, and the findings are interpreted to determine how successful the action has been.  Then the problem is re-assessed and another Action Research cycle starts.

ACTION RESEARCH CYCLE

PLANNING: develop a plan of critically informed action to improve what is already happening.

WHAT IS MY CONCERN IN MY PRACTICE?

INDENTIFYING    INFORMING    ORGANISING

ACTING: act to implement the plan.  WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

TRILLING   INFORMING   ORGANISING

OBSERVING: observe the effects of the critically informed action in the context in which it occurs.

ANALYSING     REPORTING       SHARING

REFLECT: reflect on this effects as a basis of further planning. REPORT RESULTS AND GET FEEDBACK!

EVALUATING     IMPLEMENTING     REVISING

GETTING START!


AR IT WILL TAKE PLACE OVER SEVERAL WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE LENGHT OF TIME NEEDED TO OBSERVE OR DEMONSTRATE IMPROVEMENT WILL DEPEND UPON THE TARGET OF YOUR INQUIRY!

AR IS VERY PERSONAL AND TARGETED TO THE NEEDS OF YOUR CLASSROOM.

WHAT TOPICS  WE CAN INVESTIGATE?  COMMENT US PLEASE!