Bicol University

College of Education
Daraga, Albay

Field Study 2 Episode 3

Action Research

Action research is becoming increasingly popular in education. Action research

bridges the gap between theory and practice. It has been called by many names such as
classroom research, self-reflective inquiry or teacher research. According to Guskey (2000),
educational problems and issues are best identified and investigated where the action is i.e.
at the classroom and school level. O’Brian (1998) defines action research as learning by
doing in which a teacher identifies a problem, does something to resolve it, sees how
successful his or her efforts were and if not satisfied, try again. Ferrance (2000) defines action
research as a process in which participants systematically and carefully examine their own
educational practice using the research techniques.

Teachers conduct action researches to improve education practice and learning

outcomes. They engage in deep and critical reflection and significantly contribute to coming
up with research-based or evidence-based programs and projects.

The following features of action research need to be taken into account when considering
its suitability for any given study:

• It is applied in order to improve specific practices. Action research is based on action,

evaluation, and critical analysis of practices based on collected data in order to
introduce improvements in relevant practices.
• This type of research is facilitated by participation and collaboration of number of
individuals with a common purpose
• Such research focuses on specific situations and their context.

In this learning episode, you are expected to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of what action research is, its framework and

processes
2. develop an initial Action Research Plan

Learning Task 1

This episode will require you to develop an initial research plan related to your field of
specialization/course. Complete the open-ended probes based on your classroom
observations in Field Study 1. (Note: This is an initial plan, accomplish Step 1 to 3 only. The
strategy/intervention will be implemented during your Teaching Internship.)
 STEPS STEMS
Step 1. Identify • One of the most prevalent issues in my classroom that affects
the problem the learning of my students is about their lack of participation and
engagement inside the classroom. I observed proper and
Reflect on your effective utilization of instructional materials is crucial in student
experiences and learning. Further, one of the difficulties of not just the students
identify the most but teachers as well is to devise aligned and proper instructional
critical problem materials to capture the student’s attention and interests. It is
that affects your important to note that instructional materials/ teaching aids
students’ definitely have a significant role to play in teaching and learning
learning. processes.
Step 2. Search The strategies/interventions used before to solve this issue are the
the literature or following: (include the name of the author and the year of publication
interview your and briefly discuss their findings)
colleagues for
previous There is a wealth of literature on the effective utilization of instructional
strategies/inter materials to improve student engagement. Some examples of relevant
ventions used studies include:
to solve this
problem • The positive correlation between active participation and
improved academic performance has been found to be both
Refer to stable and robust across 40 years of empirical research (Heward
previous studies & Wood, 2015). Such methods increase academic performance
(use the internet and decrease problem behaviors. Research suggests engaging
if you do not students through participation as an effective instructional
have access to practice that shows effects for decreasing disruptive behavior.
journals) and With increased time to actively respond to instruction, there are
see if there have fewer opportunities for students to engage in off-task, disruptive
been efforts behavior. Particularly for students having difficulties focusing and
done to solve lacking participation in active learning, the need exists for
the problem or interventions that provide students with frequent opportunities to
similar problems respond actively to teacher instruction, which supports both
active engagement in appropriate behavior and learning.
• A study by Bielinski and Swartz (2012) found that using
multimedia instructional materials, such as videos and interactive
simulations, can increase student engagement and improve
learning outcomes.
• A study by Naismith et al. (2013) that explored the use of
gamification, or the integration of game-like elements into
instruction, and found that it can increase student motivation and
engagement.
• A study by Ke and Yang (2014) that investigated the use of
student-centered instructional strategies, such as project-based
learning, and found that they can improve student engagement
and achievement.

Overall, these studies suggest that there are a range of instructional

strategies and materials that can be effective in improving student
engagement. Further research is needed to identify the specific
strategies and materials that are most effective in different contexts and
with different student populations.

Targeting engagement through effective utilization of instructional

materials has potential for improving outcomes for students who
passively interact in classroom discussions. Previous research has
shown that proper utilization of instructional materials is effective across
grade levels.
Step 3. Develop I will solve the problem by (your strategy/intervention- what will you
a strategy / do)
intervention
• One way to improve student engagement through the effective
Based on utilization of instructional materials is to incorporate a variety of
previous studies, materials and methods into your lessons. This can include
along with your hands-on activities, group work, technology-based tools, and
experiences, multimedia resources. By providing students with a range of
develop a materials and activities to engage with, you can keep them
strategy/ interested and motivated to learn.
intervention to • Another strategy is to regularly check in with students to gauge
solve the their level of engagement and understanding. This can be done
problem. Then, through informal discussions, surveys, or formative
implement the assessments. By regularly checking in with
strategy/interven students, you can identify areas where they may be struggling
tion in your and provide additional support or resources to help them
classroom. succeed.
 • Additionally, involving students in the selection and creation of
instructional materials can also improve engagement. This can
be done through activities such as having students create their
own study guides or choose which technology-based tools they
would like to use for a project. By giving students a sense of
ownership over their learning materials, you can increase their
interest and motivation. Overall, improving student engagement
through the effective utilization of instructional materials involves
using a variety of materials and methods, regularly checking in
with students, and involving them in the selection and creation of
materials. By implementing these strategies, you can help
students stay engaged and motivated to learn.

The data that I will record include (the kind of data that you need to
gather and record will provide evidence to the effectiveness of your
strategy/intervention)
• The data I will record includes the perception of the students to
the effective utilization of instructional materials that affect their
active learning which includes their participation and
engagement in classroom activities.
• Additionally with the use of qualitative data, which can provide
insights into the experiences and perceptions of the participants
who are involved in the intervention, such as their feedback on
the intervention, their satisfaction with the process, and any
challenges or barriers they encounter. Collecting and analyzing
these types of data can provide important evidence of the
effectiveness of a strategy or intervention, and can help to
identify areas for improvement or areas where the intervention
is particularly successful.

Step 4. Identify The data show that

findings ________________________________________________________
____________________________
Analyze your
data- looking for The findings show that I have solved/have not solved the problem
findings with because __________________________________________
practical __________________________________________
significance. If
you are dealing
with quantitative
data, simple
statistical tools
are enough. If
dealing with
qualitative data
(interview,
 observation,
discussion) then
look for recurring
themes or
patterns.
Step 5. Make a I will continue/discontinue using the strategy/approach because more
Decision than half of my students have shown very high scores in the reading
comprehension test after 3 weeks.
Use your ________________________________________________________
findings to make ____________________________
decisions related
to the learning of The approach/intervention I used worked/did not work well because
your students. __________________________________________

In case where the strategy/intervention failed to solve the problem I

will try another strategy/intervention like (then go back to Step 3)
__________________________________________
Policy Research and Development Division – Planning Service (PRD-PS) CONSULTANT: Dr. Dennis Alonzo

Learning Task 2

Complete this proposal form to elaborate the action research you would like to study.
 GUIDE QUESTIONS RESPONSE
TITLE
What is the title of your Strengthening Student’s Engagement on Active
research? Learning through Effective Utilization of
- Answer this later. Instructional Materials
- Be creative with your title.
Make it catchy and interesting.
What is the issue / problem/ The lack of participation and engagement on active
relationship you want to solve / learning inside the classroom and misaligned utilization
establish / explore? of instructional materials. This refers to the fact that
students are not actively engaging with the learning
materials in the classroom, and that the materials
provided by the teacher for instructional purposes are not
being used effectively. This could be due to students not
being motivated to participate, not understanding the
materials, or not having the necessary skills to use them.
It could also be due to the materials not being presented
in an engaging or accessible way.
INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE
- What is the general situation / The lack of participation and engagement on active
circumstance that makes you learning inside the classroom. In connection with this,
develop your research issues with the effective utilization of instruction are also
proposal? prevalent as some of the materials may not always be
aligned with the learning objectives or curriculum. If the
- Why is this situation / materials do not support the goals of the lesson, they may
circumstance important? not be effective in helping students learn. Additionally,
teachers may not have sufficient training or support to
use the materials effectively, which can limit their
usefulness in the classroom. Another issue is that
instructional materials can sometimes be cost-
prohibitive, making it difficult for schools or teachers to
obtain the resources they need. Finally, the use of
instructional materials can sometimes be seen as a "one-
size-fits-all" approach to teaching, which may not be
effective for all students, particularly those with diverse
learning needs.

Hence, improving student engagement through the

effective utilization of instructional materials involves
using a variety of materials and methods, regularly
checking in with students, and involving them in the
selection and creation of materials. By implementing
these strategies, you can help students stay engaged
and motivated to learn.
- What do you intend to do?
o This is the aim of your study. This study aims to improve and strengthen student’s
This should also be embedded engagement on Active Learning through Effective
in your main arguments above. utilization of instructional materials To help teachers to
identify the appropriate and effective instructional
materials to suit their needs, skills, and interests. When
teachers analyze the perceptions and feedback of
students regarding effective instructional materials, they
can gain insight into how well the materials are working
for their students. This information can help teachers
identify areas where the materials may not be as effective
as they could be, and develop strategies to improve their
use. For example, a teacher may find that students are
not engaged with a particular type of instructional
material, such as a textbook or worksheet. In response,
the teacher could try using a different type of material,
such as a video or hands-on activity, to see if that
increases engagement. By involving students in the
selection and creation of materials, teachers can also
increase their buy-in and ownership of the learning
process, which can lead to greater engagement and
participation

- Significance of your research

o Why is your study important? The significance of a study on strengthening students'
o Who or what industry will engagement through the effective utilization of
benefit? How? instructional materials lies in its potential to improve
student learning and achievement. By involving students
in the selection and creation of materials, and tailoring the
materials to their specific needs and interests, teachers
can help increase student engagement and participation.
This can lead to a more active and dynamic learning
environment, where students are more motivated and
invested in their own learning. In turn, this can lead to
better learning outcomes and increased academic
achievement. Additionally, a study on this topic can help
teachers understand the factors that contribute to
effective instructional materials and how they can be
used to support student learning.

- What would be the potential

contribution or insight of my A study on strengthening students' engagement through
research? the effective utilization of instructional materials has the
potential to contribute to the field of education by
providing insight into how teachers can use instructional
materials to support student learning and engagement.
The findings of such a study could be used to inform the
 development of teacher training and professional
development programs, as well as the creation of
instructional materials and resources for use in the
classroom. Additionally, the study could provide valuable
information for educators, administrators, and policy
makers, helping them understand the factors that
contribute to effective instructional materials and how
they can be used to support student learning. Ultimately,
the potential contribution of such a study would be to
improve student learning and achievement, by providing
teachers with the knowledge and tools they need to
support student engagement and participation.

Will it solve a particular

problem? This will give new direction towards enhancement of
o Will it offer a new way of practice when it comes to education since it is generally
thinking? accepted that ongoing research and evaluation are
o Will it give a new direction important for improving teaching practices and ensuring
towards enhancement of that students receive the best education possible. This
practice? can include studying the effectiveness of different
o Will it prove / disprove teaching methods, identifying areas for improvement,
something? o Will it solve / and exploring new and innovative approaches to
contribute to a certain debate? teaching. By conducting research and staying up-to-date
o Will it add evidence to a on the latest findings in the field, educators.
developing body of
knowledge? o Will it develop a
new theory, prototype, model,
process, tool, etc.?
LITERATURE REVIEW
- What are the current /
relevant topics and literature According to the study conducted by Sanchez, (2019)
related to this situation / focuses on understanding the impact of instructional
circumstance? materials on student engagement. The research team
- What are the gaps in the conducted a systematic review of the literature to
existing literature? evaluate the effectiveness of instructional materials in
- What makes your study strengthening student engagement. The results of the
different from previous study showed that when instructional materials are used
studies? effectively, student engagement is enhanced. The study
o These arguments will also found that when instructional materials are used
demonstrate that you made an effectively, student learning outcomes are improved.
extensive literature review, and Furthermore, the study found that instructional materials
you have made a critical can also be used to promote critical thinking, problem-
analysis of the literature in solving, and collaboration among students. Overall, the
relation to your proposed study concluded that instructional materials can play an
research topic. important role in the classroom by helping to strengthen
student engagement and promote learning. The study
o The more gaps you have also suggested that teachers should use instructional
identified, the stronger your materials strategically, select appropriate materials that
paper is. meet the needs of their students, and provide feedback
to help students learn more effectively.

Furthermore, another study conducted by Ward (2020)

explores several active learning strategies to increase
student engagement. These strategies include asking
open-ended questions, having students work in groups,
having students present their work, providing choice in
activities, and having students reflect on their learning
experiences. The article provides numerous examples of
activities that can be used to implement these strategies,
such as jigsaw activities, role-playing, think-pair-share
activities, and concept mapping. The article also
discusses the importance of providing feedback, using
technology, and promoting student autonomy. Finally,
the article provides a list of resources for educators
interested in learning more about active learning
strategies.

References:

Sanchez, M. (2019, August 28). Strengthening Student

Engagement Through Effective Utilization of Instructional
Materials. Retrieved from https://education.cu-
portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/strengthening-
student-engagement-through-effective-utilization-of-
instructional-materials/

Ward, C. (2020, April 22). Active Learning Strategies to

Increase Student Engagement. Retrieved from
https://www.learning-styles-online.com/active-learning-
strategies

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- This section sets the This study is designed to determine the impact of the
restrictions of your study due effective utilization of instructional materials and how it
to time, budgetary affects the students' engagement on active learning.
requirements and your This will seek the answers to the following specific
capability. questions:
o What are the parameters of
your study (data collection 1. How do instructional materials impact student
method, analysis, discussion, engagement in active learning?
etc.)? 2. What types of instructional materials are most
effective for promoting active learning in the
classroom?
 3. How can teachers best utilize instructional
materials to increase student engagement in
active learning?
METHODS
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
What is the design of your
study? The use of a descriptive research design in this study will
- Descriptive - Evaluative allow the researcher to gather detailed information about
- Theoretical / Philosophical? how the use of instructional materials can impact student
- Etc. engagement in active learning. By collecting data from
teachers and students, the researcher will be able to
identify which instructional materials are most effective
and how they can be used to enhance student
engagement. This information can then be used to inform
teacher practices and help educators choose the best
instructional materials for their needs, skills, and
interests. Additionally, the study may provide insight into
ways in which instructional materials can be used to
support active learning and improve student outcomes.

SAMPLING
- Who or what will be the
sample for your study? The use of purposive sampling in this study will allow the
- Why did you choose this / researcher to carefully select the respondents who are
these sample/s? most relevant to the research question. This type of
- How many? sampling is often used in studies that are focused on a
- How will you select your specific population or group, and allows the researcher to
sample? select participants based on certain criteria, such as their
expertise or experiences with instructional materials. By
using this method, the researchers will be able to gather
data from a group of individuals who are well-suited to
provide insights on the challenges and experiences
related to the use of instructional materials in promoting
active teaching and learning. The use of survey
questionnaires will then provide a standardized way to
collect data from these respondents and allow the
researchers to easily analyze the information.

DATA GATHERING METHOD

The researcher will prepare her own questionnaire. This
What tool will you use in can be beneficial as the researcher can tailor the
gathering your data? questions to fit the specific topic of study and the
- Document analysis research objectives. Additionally, the researcher can
- Interviews / focus group ensure that the questions are worded in a way that will
discussions yield useful data and can also decide on the order in
- Assessments which the questions are asked.
 - Surveys A study published in the International Journal of Social
- Case studies Research Methodology (Gibson, 2002) found that
- Observations questionnaires are an effective methodology for
- Statistical datasets collecting data from large populations in a relatively short
- Etc. amount of time. The study also found that questionnaires
are cost effective, provide anonymity and enable
Briefly describe your methods respondents to express their views freely. Additionally,
supported by references to the study found that the use of questionnaires can
research applying the methods contribute to the validity of a study by ensuring that the
in similar situations. questions are standardized and all respondents are
asked the same questions.

Retrieved from: Gibson, J. (2002). The role of theory in

empirical research. International Journal of Social
Research Methodology, 5(4), 305–321.
doi:10.1080/1364557032000120266

ETHICAL ISSUES
Think of the circumstances in
which your
respondents/samples’ This study intends to understand how the use of
participation will compromise instructional materials can impact student engagement in
their rights to privacy and active learning. To gain an accurate understanding of the
confidentiality. Also, consider impact of instructional materials on student engagement,
the data gathering method. the study will need to collect data from both the students
Avoid intrusion and do not put and teachers involved. To ensure that the data is
them at risk. Consider your collected in an ethical manner, it is important to obtain the
respondents: consent of the students and teachers before collecting
- Do you need to obtain any data. This means that the study will need to provide
informed consent from the detailed information about the purpose of the study and
parents, DSWD, and other the data that will be collected, as well as obtain written
agencies? consent from the students and teachers before any data
- Do you need to get the name collection can take place.
of your respondents? - Do you
need to label your subjects
(schools, barangays, region,
etc.)?
DATA ANALYSIS
How would you analyze your The researcher will use a variety of methods and tools to
data? analyze the data they have collected. These methods
Briefly describe your data and tools can range from statistical analysis to qualitative
analysis technique supported analysis, depending on the type of data she has
by references to research collected. Statistical analysis can involve the use of
applying the analysis in similar descriptive statistics, parametric tests, non-parametric
situations tests, and correlation and regression analysis. Qualitative
analysis often involves the use of coding to extract
 meaningful information from the data and can involve the
use of focus groups, interviews, and surveys. The
researcher may also use visualizations to help them
better understand the data, such as graphs, charts, and
diagrams.
Policy Research and Development Division – Planning Service (PRD-PS) CONSULTANT: Dr. Dennis Alonzo

References:
Bondoc, Victoriana P., et.al. (2014) Action Research Made Easy, Quezon City:
Lorimar Pub Inc.

DepEd Order No. 16, s.2017

HOW TO WRITE AN ACTION RESEARCH PROPOSAL? DepEd Order No. 16,

s.2017 – YouTube

Action Research. https://research-methodology.net/research-methods/action-

research/