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Action Research Project

Guiding Questions

  • What is an Action Research Project?
  • How do I design, conduct, and present action research of my classroom, school or community?
  • What does action research look like?

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Standards/Tags Org 3.1. Concepts & Theories, Org 3.3. Research, Org 5.5 Dispositions

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This module should take you approximately 45-60 minutes to fully complete.

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Introduction

During the week at the Institute you will work on developing a proposal for your Action Research (AR) Project that you will implement during the fall semester and present your findings at the Vermont Middle Grades Conference in January, 2020. The project will develop some aspect of teaching and learning that applies to your professional goals. The project may include but is not limited to:

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  • Developing, implementing and evaluating PLPs at your school;
  • Designing and creating an integrated unit that you teach in the fall semester;
  • Examining the 1:1 tech rollout at your school;
  • Investigating student learning over time; or
  • Analyzing collaboration on a newly formed teacher team

Learning Goal

Jump to...

Overview of Action Research

Rubric for AR Proposal

Key Components of AR

Important Dates

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Action Research Overview 10 minutes

Read

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To get a better sense of what is meant by the term “Action Research,” first read the overview and then skim through the remainder of Brown University on Action Research.

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Also, read these two Blogs that explain action research and provide real life examples:

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Consider

Now think about the project you want to implement in your classroom, school or community.

  • What question are you trying to answer?
  • Where will you conduct your research?
  • What would be good evidence (data) to answer your question?

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Action Research Proposal Single Point Rubric 5 minutes

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The Action Research Proposal Single Point Rubric clarifies the expectations for the Action Research Project. Please review the rubric prior to starting your proposal and use it as a check as you continue to work through the proposal. The rubric is structure to allow you to take notes on your progress in completing the proposal.��For each section of the proposal the rubric provide a target and provide space to take notes on skills to improve on and next steps. For example:

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Please note that Equity Integration is now a criterion for the proposal.

Skills to work on

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Proficient

Criteria

Next Steps

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Abstract:

I can describe my action research project and what I hope to learn from it in 50 words or less.

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Key Components of Action Research Project 5 minutes

(the following 4 slides will describe these in detail)

Title

Working Title for the Action Research project (fewer than 15 words)

Abstract

In fewer than 50 words describe your action research project and explain what you hope to learn from it.You may include your research question(s). You will likely rewrite this abstract after completing your project to better reflect what actually happened. Here are a few examples of AR proposals:

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Introduction and Rationale for the Project

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Project Description and Implementation Plan

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Data Collection and Analysis

Data Collection Strategy

Data Collection Chart

Instruments

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Findings and Implications

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Presentation

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Components of Action Research

Introduction and Rationale for the Project

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The introduction discusses the context of the project,

  • Explains the rationale for why you have selected and created this project
  • Describes the purpose of the project.

In this section of the proposal you will

  • State your research question
  • Review the academic literature from a middle level perspective. This review of the academic literature provides a foundation for your project. It makes connections from the academic literature to the rationale, purpose and design of your project. Much of the literature will come directly from the MGI readings and modules but outside readings may also be included (usually about 1-2 pages).

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5 minutes

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Components of Action Research

Project Description and Implementation Plan

The project description provides a description of the project and explains the method of evaluation of the project. The project description will:

  • Describe the participants involved (e.g., teachers, students, parents);
  • Discuss the setting of the project (classroom, school, teaching team);
  • Provide a timeline for implementing various tasks (teach lessons, meetings to assess student work);
  • Discuss how and when you will meet with your peer group; and
  • Explain how and when you will collect data and assess the effectiveness of the project. To help you plan your data collection and analysis, please review the Data Triangulation Matrix, Data Collection Strategy
  • This section is usually about 2 pages

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5 minutes

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Components of Action Research

Data Collection and Analysis �Action research analysis is ongoing. That is, you are continually reflecting on your project as the data is collected. In a series of memos, blogs, written reflections, you will document your analysis of your action research project.

Data Collection Strategy

Detail how data will be collected. By what means? Instruments or tools to collect data include

surveys, interview questions, observation guides, or assignments.

These examples will give you a feel for how to share a thoughtful implementation plan.

How often? Here is a chart to help you organize:

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10 minutes

Date

Instrument

Source

1st week of School

Survey

Students in my class

At end of unit of study

Focus group interview

Cross section of my students

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Components of Action Research

5 minutes

Findings and Implications

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In this section you describe the findings from your research and make recommendations for your practice moving forward. This is where you lend meaning to the analysis. What did I learn from reviewing my data? What does it tell me about my project? What recommendations can I make about my practice and for other teachers? (usually about a page)

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Presentation

At the January Middle Grades Conference you will be expected to share your project and related findings in the form of a 15-minute multimedia presentation (e.g., powerpoint, prezi, google slides, book creator, photostory, explain everything).

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Important Dates for the Action Research Project

5 minutes

Date

Task

June 28

Table Talk. Participants share progress to date of their Professional Learning Portfolio at a roundtable conversation on the last day of MGI. The Table Talk may include a discussion of a participant’s professional learning goals, evidence and reflections of learning posted throughout MGI and/or discussion of the proposed action research project.

July 1 - July 19

Action Research Project Proposal Facilitation. Participants submit drafts to their strand facilitators for comment prior to the July 14th deadline. Participants email team facilitators if they would like feedback.

July 19

Action Research Project Proposal DUE. Participants complete the proposal and share their Action Research Project Proposal with their team facilitator.

July 19 – August 9

Professional Portfolio Evaluation. Facilitators evaluate the Action Research Project Proposal.

August 9

Grades are submitted to CU, SMC, NVU, or UVM.

Fall 2019

Action Research Project Implementation. Participants collaboratively implement projects, collect and post evidence on their Professional Learning Portfolios, and prepare presentations to share findings at the Vermont Middle Grades Conference on January 11th, 2019. Facilitators monitor project implementation. Participants support each other in peer groups and request support from MGI staff via email.

December 1

Conference Registration. Participants send a presentation title (15 words or less) and an abstract (50 words or less) to register@middlegradesinstitute.org.

January 11, 2020

9 am - 2:30 pm

MGC Conference. Participants present results of Action Research Projects and Professional Learning Portfolio at the Vermont Middle Grades Conference at the Davis Center at the University of Vermont.

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Reflect and Document

On your PLP post evidence (audio, video, or written) of your learning and briefly reflect on progress toward your individual or team goals. Be sure to tag your standards or goals accordingly!

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10 minutes

Leopard Learning Image

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Congratulations! You have now completed the module

Action Research Project.

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