How can action research improve teaching practices in your classroom?

Action Research , or AR, is my passion in my whole life, since I started my dental school studies , up to now , being a group program director to the dental academic programs, I started developing AR, in my residency program, by developing a point of interest, a vital trending topic in a specific branch and propose to the study groups as a research question, where the students will search the articles and come up with a material to discuss in the “scientific literature “ day, Such a method was very useful to establish an efficient and scientific learning environment, that I am currently doing with my students till the moment!

AR is designed to promote onsite collaboration by relevant participants who bring firsthand experience and knowledge to the table to research identifiable variables that directly impact the learning environment and the learners. It is practical, purposeful, professional inquiry that affects conditions and attitudes of those party to the learning process.

Action research improves teaching practices by promoting reflective practice, targeted interventions, data-informed decision making, professional growth, empowerment, and collaboration. Teachers use this approach to reflect on their methods, address specific challenges, and make informed adjustments based on data analysis. This process fosters continuous development, empowers teachers to take ownership of their growth, and encourages collaboration within the school community, ultimately leading to more effective teaching and improved student outcomes.

As an instructor whose sole focus is in andragogy, utilizing the life experience of adult learners is crucial in the education process. While the specific subject matter may be new to the student, and your purpose is to be the subject matter expert, there may be other experiences the learners can utilize to succeed in the classroom. For example, if teaching a vehicle extrication class to a group of students and one of those students happens to have formerly built cars in a previous career, utilize that experience. Flip the classroom. You tell me the weakest parts of a vehicle based upon experience. This allows the students to associate personal experiences with instructional material and retain the knowledge much more successfully.

Action research can improve teaching practices in your classroom because it can be used to identify issues faced in the classroom. This would help you to solve problems so that you can concentrate on your students. You must plan your action research well before carrying it out. This is so that you can get the desired results. You must make sure that your plan can be implemented. This is so that the problems can be solved through this plan.

Una de las problemáticas que me he encontrado en el aula que mis alumnos no comprenden lo que leen, dado que es una práctica fundamental y esencial en la escuela. Por esta razón, utilice los diagnósticos para identificar problemas específicos como dificultades en identificar ideas principales o inferir significados. Luego, planificar intervenciones que incluyan estrategias adaptadas, como lectura guiada y uso de mapas conceptuales. Implementar las estrategias en el aula, monitorear el progreso y ajustar según sea necesario. Finalmente, analizar los resultados y reflexionar sobre la efectividad de las prácticas para mejorar continuamente el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje.

In Agricultural technology transfer, participatory learning enables the teacher to identify the most suitable approach.Results demonstration will be very strong in a field based learning while method demonstration may be applied in both the class room and outside the class room.

Once you've drawn up your plan, you need to take action. This is so that your purpose of this action research can be accomplished. You need to make sure that every step of the plan is well documented. This is so that you can refer back to it if you ever need to do so. You must make sure that this plan can help students to better understand their lessons. This is so that your students can get the most out of your lessons.

Action plan is the back bone to every planning and strategy in implementation of a new idea or improving a goal plan. At this stage you observe and analyze how the plans improve learning and researcher with the students performance in good shape.

C'est l'étape qui pour moi est la plus importante et la plus passionnante. Elle vous donne une certaine satisfaction quand vous constatez que le problème est en train d'être résolu, mais aussi de la déception quand vous constatez que votre méthode n'apporte pas le résultat escompté. Ce qui me plaît ici, c'est que si on décèle vite les faiblesses de notre nouvelle méthode, on peut la corriger en improvisant et la satisfaction que cela vous apporte...!

Once you've carried out the plan, you need to now observe the results. This is to evaluate whether the plan was a success or not. You need to give your students simples tests and exams. This is to evaluate their performance. If your students have no improvement, you need to come up with another plan. Keep doing this until you can get the desired results.

Informally, the best educators are always self analyzing and reflecting upon teaching practices. For me, constantly engaging in fellowships where I did action research changed my teaching. It allowed me to be able to provide my own solutions to areas of my practice that could be improved. Think of it as applying your own medicine and being the doctor to your classroom issues.

Result is vital after action plan has been implemented,so that it will help you redefine the goals from the data collected to make the research questions reliable and specific for learning practices . The key to observations is understanding the impacts of the information to both the students and teacher, it also help the research to improve learning methods better

Reflection is integral to action research, involving the analysis of collected data to assess the efficacy of interventions. This process entails evaluating successes and failures, discerning underlying factors influencing student learning, and informing decisions for subsequent action research cycles. Engaging in reflective analysis fosters thoughtful and adaptable teaching practices, facilitating continuous improvement in classroom instruction.

Un análisis reflexivo en el contexto educativo es una herramienta poderosa que nos permite a los docentes evaluar y mejorar continuamente nuestras prácticas. Implica un proceso de introspección profunda, donde el educador revisa críticamente su enseñanza y las respuestas de sus estudiantes para entender qué está funcionando, qué no y por qué.

Action research involves a continuous cycle of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. By focusing on the next cycle, educators can systematically implement changes based on research findings, assess their effectiveness, and make further adjustments for continuous improvement. This iterative process fosters a culture of ongoing learning, innovation, and refinement in teaching practices. For instance, In Business Studies, after conducting action research on topic, focusing on the next cycle may involve implementing a project-based learning approach. This could include designing collaborative business projects, observing student engagement, reflecting on outcomes, and refining the approach based on feedback for continuous improvement.

Este proceso se puede resumir y adaptar en el ciclo Demming de calidad (PDCA por sus siglas en inglés): 1) Planear, 2) Hacer, 3) Verificar y 4) Actuar.

Action research fosters a culture of continuous improvement by providing educators with a structured framework for reflection, analysis, and adaptation of their teaching practices. Through the cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting, educators systematically examine their instructional strategies, classroom dynamics, and student outcomes. This iterative approach allows educators to identify areas of strength and areas for growth, leading to targeted adjustments and refinements in their teaching methods. By embracing action research, educators demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and a dedication to maximizing student learning and achievement.

Real life experience of action research will help in the thinking and cognitive process development.They relate the experience that will help to create interest among students .Education and Research have to be attractive for young minds .We have to attract them .

Data Collection and Analysis: Action research involves collecting data about teaching practices, student learning outcomes, and classroom dynamics. This data can be analyzed to gain insights into what is working well and what needs adjustment. Collaborative Learning Communities: Action research often involves collaboration with colleagues or mentors. By sharing experiences, insights, and findings with others, teachers can benefit from collective wisdom and support in improving their teaching practices. Empowerment and Ownership: Engaging in action research empowers teachers to take ownership of their professional development and teaching effectiveness. It encourages a proactive approach to problem-solving and growth

Como docente, noté que mis alumnos enfrentaban serias dificultades en la comprensión lectora. Observé que los temas propuestos simplemente no resonaban con ellos, lo que afectaba su motivación y, por ende, su comprensión. Decidí tomar un enfoque proactivo para abordar esta situación. Primero, realicé una pequeña encuesta en clase para identificar sus intereses. A medida que avanzábamos, observé una mejora notable en su capacidad para comprender los textos, reflejada tanto en su rendimiento académico como en su participación en clase. Los estudiantes comenzaron a mostrar más entusiasmo por la lectura, algo que se evidenciaba en su disposición a participar y en la profundidad de sus comentarios y preguntas durante las discusiones en clase.