Leveraging Action Research for the New School Year
The start of a new school year brings with it the promise of a fresh start. It is the perfect time to reflect on your teaching practice and set intentions for the year ahead.
What worked well last year? What challenges did I face? What do I want to change moving forward? How can I better prepare my learners for the 21st century?
Back
One powerful way to engage in these reflections is by conducting Action Research. Action Research allows educators to address real classroom or pedagogical challenges through hands-on and practical exploration alongside active student involvement. It is a wonderful tool for bridging the gap we currently see between empirical findings and tangible teaching tools. We often assume this is a formal process but in fact, this is often something teachers engage in on a daily basis as we address the needs of our learners.
The book Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators (Mertler, 2016) presents a clear and manageable approach to Action Research that is accessible to all teachers. By following four key steps—planning, acting, developing, and reflecting—educators can explore individualized questions they wish to answer. This format makes Action Research both practical and flexible and offers educators a deeper sense of ownership and agency. This consequently results in teachers acting as agents of change which has lasting benefits to a school community.
Through my experience with Action Research, I have found it invaluable for gaining deeper insights into student perspectives. For instance, I used to think that recess should focus on having boys expend their energy by staying active throughout the entire duration of the break. However, my Action Research revealed that many students actually need quiet time to reflect and recharge, which more readily helps them achieve a sense of personal well-being.
As you move forward with your planning this year, whether you're introducing something new in your classroom, refining an approach from last year, or measuring the success of a pedagogical change, consider using Action Research as a powerful professional learning tool. Together, we can participate in meaningful research, fostering continuous reflection and growth in our practice.
If you are interested in pursuing research in your classroom, there are several ways in which you can get involved. Participating in a book club, authoring a submission for Crescent Considers, or engaging in Action Research are just some of the ways to partner with the CCBE. Please reach out should any of these opportunities interest you.
