Action Research in Education


Book Description

Introduction to action research -- Choosing and learning about your research topic -- Approaches to action research -- Developing a plan of action -- Data collection tools -- Using assessment data in action research -- Data analysis and interpretation -- Writing, implementing, and sharing the research findings.




Studying Your Own School


Book Description

"While there are many books out there on action research, few immerse the reader so effectively in the nitty-gritty realities of the method, while also pushing school practitioners to use inquiry to challenge an unacceptable status quo. This text should be read by all teachers and school leaders who care about empowering students and communities through action research." —Ruth Johnson, Professor of Educational Administration, California State University, Los Angeles Author, Using Data to Close the Achievement Gap "A highly accessible and informative book for K–12 educators and university graduate students. Provides very useful examples of what action research looks like when carried out in schools. This book has always been at the top of my recommended resources list." —Ken Zeichner, Hoefs-Bascom Professor of Teacher Education, University of Wisconsin, Madison Discover the most empowering pathway to improved practice in education! Since the publication of the first edition of Studying Your Own School, practitioner action research has become an established professional development practice in schools and teacher education programs. While the fundamentals of practitioner action research have not changed, the challenges of large scale reform have dramatically altered the context of teaching. This extensive revision of the best-selling book includes the latest investigative methods and reflects the current educational environment. New features of the second edition include A "Getting Started" chapter on initial issues and considerations More advice on crafting the research question and research design Up-to-date information on political and ethical considerations New examples of practitioner action research studies A focus on promoting equity and social justice Packed with updated examples to help orient the reader, this book is unique in providing the theoretical and historical underpinnings of practitioner action research and all the "how-to" information necessary for successful classroom application.




Engaging in Action Research


Book Description

You don't need a tweed jacket to be a researcher—in thousands of schools across North America, practising teachers conduct studies on best practices, alternative approaches, and effective learning strategies. Classroom teachers have experiences and opportunities unavailable to researchers in a university setting, and action research—site-based, teacher-conducted research—can have a valuable impact on the educational community. Yet many teachers don't see their work as real research, and many other teachers have great ideas for research projects but don't know where to begin. For these teachers, Engaging in Action Research demystifies the world of educational research and provides support, guidance, and encouragement. From creating a research plan to reporting findings, this book provides step-by-step instructions to help teachers conduct research projects in the classroom, using strategies that work. Get ready to investigate, analyze, and share!




Action Research


Book Description

Note: This is the bound book only and does not include access to the Enhanced Pearson eText. To order the Enhanced Pearson eText packaged with a bound book, use ISBN 0134522729. A step-by-step guide to action research with a balanced coverage of qualitative and quantitative methods. The leading text in the field of action research, Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher is known for its practical, step-by-step guidance for teachers on how to do research in classrooms. Drawing on his extensive experience working directly with teachers and principals to help them learn how to conduct action research studies, the author guides future educators through the action research process via numerous concrete illustrations. The text positions action research as a fundamental component of teaching and helps it's readers not only acquire the skills to conduct quality studies, but also how to make it a part of everyday teaching practice. Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content. The Enhanced Pearson eText is: Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience.* Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad® and Android® tablet.** Affordable. Experience the advantages of the Enhanced Pearson eText along with all the benefits of print for 40% to 50% less than a print bound book. * The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads. *The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7” or 10” tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later.




The Reflective Educator’s Guide to Professional Development


Book Description

"A tool box overflowing with ideas that will help every staff developer craft a school culture hospitable to adult and student learning." —Roland S. Barth, Author, Lessons Learned "The book speaks to many audiences, including instructional coaches, PLC leaders, action researchers and group leaders, and university professors working with action researchers and PLCs." —Gail Ritchie, Coleader, Teacher Researcher Network Fairfax County Public Schools, VA "A terrific resource for connecting teacher networks and action research to create powerful professional development opportunities. This book is a joy to read." —Ellen Meyers, Senior Vice President Teachers Network Powerful tools for facilitating teachers′ professional development and optimizing school improvement efforts! Professional learning communities (PLCs) and action research are popular and proven frameworks for professional development. While both can greatly improve teaching and learning, few resources have combined the two practices into one coherent approach. The Reflective Educator′s Guide to Professional Development provides educators with strategies, activities, and tools to develop inquiry-oriented PLCs. Nationally known school reform experts Nancy Fichtman Dana and Diane Yendol-Hoppey cover the ten essential elements of a healthy PLC, provide case studies of actual inquiry-based PLCs, and present lessons learned to help good coaches become great coaches. With this step-by-step guide, readers will be able to: Organize, assess, and maintain high-functioning, inquiry-oriented PLCs Facilitate the development of study questions Establish the trust and collective commitment necessary for successful action research Enable PLC members to develop, analyze, and share research results Lead successful renewal and reform efforts By combining two powerful training practices, coaches, workshop leaders, and staff developers can ensure continuous, robust school-based professional development.




Action Research


Book Description

Craig Mertler’s Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators introduces practicing educators to the process of conducting classroom-based action research. Practical and comprehensive, the book focuses on research methods and procedures that educators can use in their everyday practice. This Fifth Edition adds enhanced coverage of rigor and ethics in action research, means of establishing quality of both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as strengthened pedagogical features. New material includes discussions of social justice advocacy as an application of action research and the inclusion of abstracts in research reports.




What Every Teacher Should Know about Action Research


Book Description

This booklet covers some of the basic steps teachers can use in action research. From defining the problem, developing a plan of action, evaluating the plan and sharing it to solving real classroom problems, this handy guide provides students with the basics they need to know.




The Educator's Guide to Action Research


Book Description

This book is designed to build and enhance educators’ knowledge about decision-making processes, including the use of multiple sources of assessment and data to inform instruction, interventions, services, and supports for all students within a comprehensive system to conduct action research. This resource demystifies, describes, and connects the data-driven decision-making process (DDDM) of action research within a schoolwide multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework, including descriptions, examples, and resources of phases and components of educational solution-finding within our classrooms and schools. Federal legislation such as the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act requires educators to follow policies and procedures to make data-informed decisions to support and enhance the learning of all students through action research. Action research is directly focused on the ability to connect multiple sources of assessment data with equitable, effective, evidence-based approaches, strategies, interventions, and resources to address and maximize academic, behavioral, and social emotional benefits for students. In addition, acquiring the knowledge and skills of DDDM through the systematic use of action research enables educators to actively participate not only in instructional and intervention decisions but also in the programmatic decisions for the determination of additional services, including special education, within a comprehensive system of school initiatives. A comprehensive, data-driven decision-making process utilizes the knowledge, skills, and phases of action research in classrooms and schools by all educators, including special and general education teachers, school psychologists, and related service personnel, within one system of data use in instruction, interventions, and determination of needed services and supports




Action Research


Book Description

Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators, Seventh Edition introduces both beginning and experienced educators to the process of designing and conducting classroom-based action research. This practical text focuses on research methods and procedures that educators can use in their everyday instructional practices, classroom activities, and school settings.




The Teacher's Guide to Action Research for Special Education in PK–12 Classrooms


Book Description

The use of data-based decision making is critical in any classroom, but especially in special education settings. The Teacher’s Guide to Action Research for Special Education in PK-12 Classrooms describes the basic concepts of action research and how this process can support student success in the classroom and beyond. This practical, approachable, and concise guide provides case studies, vignettes, student learning objectives, and review exercises to help teachers understand how to effectively use the action research process to identify and evaluate evidence-based interventions, with explicit connections to legally mandated IEP planning, implementation, and evaluation processes.