FIELD STUDY 2 LEARNING

EPISODE
Understanding AR
Concepts, Process and
3 FS 2 Models

To have a meaningful and successful accomplishment in this FS episode, be sure to

read through the whole episode before participating and assisting in your FS 2 Resource
Teacher’s class. Note all the information you will need and tasks you will need to do before
working on this episode.

Target Your Intended Learning Outcome

At the end of this Episode, I must be able to:

 use concepts and processes of action research.
 identify sample models of AR such as of DepEd, 2017; McNiff & Whitehead, 2006;
and Nelson, 2014.

Classify Your Task

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Understanding and Using Action Research Concepts and Processes

The definition of action research evolved over time. There is no singular definition of action
research. Anchored on the idea of inquiry by John Dewey several other authors have advanced the
concept of action research. Action research is a type of inquiry that is:

 practical as it involves making changes to practice.

 theoretical as it is informed by theory and can generate new insights.
 concerned with change and improvement.

Action research has been embraced in education for its value in transforming school practices
by the practitioners themselves. It is used to address practical problems in the classroom. It is a
process that allows teachers to study their own classroom and school setting to improve their
effectiveness. Teacher Action Research (TAR) is a method for educational practitioners (teachers,
school leaders) to engage in the assessment and improvement of their own practice. It is a tool to help
classroom teachers consider their teaching methods or to adopt a strategy in order to solve everyday
problem in the school setting.

Here are some questions and answers that you need to know.
1. What are the Core Characteristics of AR (Titchen, 2015)?
 Systematic - Like any form of research, it follows a system.
 Rigorous - It has rigor, meaning a strict adherence to the rules of empirical studies.
 Reflective - It follows a continuous reflection and action.
 Situational - It is more specific to the location (school) circumstances (teaching —
and learning, etc.).
 Participative - AR can be participative where teachers and learners are co-
researchers.
 Future-oriented - It seeks solution to the current problem for future improvement.
2. Why is Action Research useful to me as a Teacher Researcher?
 AR can help me to learn how to improve my practice as a teacher in terms of
teaching methods, classroom management, preparation of the learning environment,
developing instructional materials and assessment.
 AR can help me learn more about a wider range of research methods that I can use in
the future.
 AR can provide me more space to think deeply about the issues that confront

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 teaching and learning.
 AR can help me engage with my mentor and peers to enable me to improve my
teaching practices through action research.
 AR can help me develop new knowledge which is directly related to my area of
specialization.
3. What types of classroom action studies that can I engage in?
 Creating changes in the classroom practices. Example: What changes will daily
writing have on my students?
 Establishing effects of curriculum restructuring. Example: Will the use of mother
tongue enhance the reading skills of my learners?
 Enhancing new understanding of learners. Example: What happens when students
get demotivated?
 Teaching a new process to the students. Example: How can I teach third graders to
do reflection?

MODELS and GUIDE In CONDUCTING ACTION RESEARCH

 McNiff & Whitehead 2006 (Adaptation)
Action Research Cycle The Action Research Process
OBSERVE Identify the problem.
1. Based on observation and noticing, what problematic situations prevail in the
classroom or teaching learning environment?
2. Which of these problems shall I focus on?
3. What does literature say about this problem? On what theories or principles I
leaned before is the problem anchored?
REFLECT Reflect (Reflection continues all throughout the process.
1. What do I hope to achieve? What do I intend to change for the better?
2. Is doing this action research important to improve my practice?
3. Can I do this alone? Or should I collaborate?
PLAN Plan An Action Research Strategy
1. What type of research will I use? Quantitative? Qualitative?
2. How will I describe my innovation? Intervention? Strategy?
3. Is my plan doable within the given period of time?

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ACT Take Action
1. How do I put my plan into action? How long?
2. How will I gather data or information?
3. What sense or meaning do | get out of the data?
EVALUATE Use Findings
1. Where do I apply results to improve practice?
2. Are my findings worth sharing?
MODIFY Move To Another Cycle
1. Is there a need to modify intervention to get new results?
2. Should I move to another cycle of action research?
 Nelson, O 2014 Model
OBSERVE Identify the problem.
1. Based on observation and noticing, what problematic situations prevail in the
classroom or teaching learning environment?
2. Which of these problems shall I focus on?
3. What does literature say about this problem? On what theories or principles I
leaned before is the problem anchored?
REFLECT Reflect (Reflection continues all throughout the process.
1. What do I hope to achieve? What do I intend to change for the better?
2. Is doing this action research important to improve my practice?
3. Can I do this alone? Or should I collaborate?
PLAN Plan An Action Research Strategy
1. What type of research will I use? Quantitative? Qualitative?
2. How will I describe my innovation? Intervention? Strategy?
3. Is my plan doable within the given period of time?
ACT Take Action
1. How do I put my plan into action? How long?
2. How will I gather data or information?
3. What sense or meaning do | get out of the data?
 Department of Education (DO 16) 2017 Model
Action Research Key Components Action Research Process
I. CONTEXT AND RATIONALE Identifying the Problem
II. ACTION RESEARCH 1. Why am I doing this?
QUESTIONS 2. What is the background of my action research?
3. What problem/question am I trying to solve?
4. What do I hope to achieve?
III. PROPOSED INNOVATION, Proposed Plan
INTERVENTION AND 1. What do I plan as a solution to the problem I
STRATEGY identified? (Describe.)
2. What innovation will I introduce so solve the
problem? (Describe.)
3. What strategy should I introduce? (Describe.)
IV. ACTION RESEARCH Plan of Action Research

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 METHODS 1. Who are to participate? (my students, peers,
a. Participants and/or other Sources myself)
of Data and Information 2. What are my sources of information?
b. Data Gathering Methods (participants)
c. Data Analysis Plan 3. How shall I gather information?
4. How will I analyze my data/information?
V. ACTION RESEARCH WORK Action Research Work Plan
PLAN AND TIMELINES 1. What should my work plan contain? (targets,
activities, persons involved, timeline, cost)
2. How long will I conduct my intervention? ( For
reliable results 8 to 12 weeks)
VI. COST ESTIMATES Action Research Cost - (Consider also the maximum
cost if externally funded like DepEd, LGUs NGO or
personal)
VII. PLANS FOR Sharing Results
DISSEMINATION AND 1. How will I share the result of my action research?
UTILIZATION (Publish, Present, Flyers, LAC sessions)
2. Can I collaborate with other teachers to continue
or replicate my study?
VIII. REFERENCES References
1. What reading materials and references are
included in my review of literature?
Both Action Research Processes above are supported by the two AR Models which will be presented
next

Revisit the Infographic/s

Action research is a dynamic process anchored on Reflection ↔ Action Cycle of Observing,

Reflecting, Acting, Evaluating and Modifying

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 Figure 1. An Action-Reflection Cycle as Basis for Action Research
Source: McNiff and Whitehead, 2006

Action research is a cyclical, recursive process of observe > > reflect>> act>> evaluate>>
modify>> move in new direction is known as action-reflection (McNiff & Whitehead, 2006) In 2011,
McNiff defined action research as a form of inquiry that enables practitioners to investigate and
evaluate their work. Before that, Corey in 1953 viewed action research as a recursive or repeated
process, proceeding through spiraling cycle of planning, actions, reflections and change.

In a similar vein, Nelson, 2014 proposed an action research cycle that starts with Observe
followed by Reflect, Plan and Act which can also go through evaluation and modification. It also
follows a cyclical process.

Figure 2. The Action Research Cycle

Source: Nelson, O. 2014

Participate and Assist

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 You are now ready to participate and assist!

Understanding fully the concept and the process of Action Research will enable you to learn and
provide the needed assistance to your teacher mentor in doing Action Research.

Notice

What concepts have been emphasized in the task and infographics? Give at least four.
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________

Since the 3 models are all for action research, what are the common elements of the three?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________

Analyze

Choose the AR sample Abstract that you submitted in Episode 2.

 Analyze the components vis-à-vis only one model out of the 3 presented.

If you choose to compare with Model A-McNiff & Whitehead, 2006, here are the
components.
Title and Author of the Action Research:

Key Components Entry from your Sample AR

OBSERVE The Problem

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REFLECT Reflection

PLAN Plan of Action

ACT Implementation

EVALUATE Findings

MODIFY Recommendation

 If you choose to compare with Model B-Nelson, O. 2014, here are the components.
Title and Author of the Action Research:

Key Components Entry from your Sample AR

OBSERVE The Problem

REFLECT Reflection

PLAN Plan of Action

ACT Implementation

 Or if you choose to compare with Model, 2017, here are the components.
Title and Author: (the same as your entry in model A)

Key Component Action Research Process

I. Context and Rationale Study Background

II. Action Research Question AR Questions

III.Proposed Innovation, Describe Innovation/Intervention/Strategy

Intervention Strategy

IV.Action Research Methods Describe Action Research Methods

a. Participant/s Other sources of
Data
b. Data Gathering Methods
c. Data Analysis Plan
V. Action Research Work Plan Summarize Action Research Work Plan

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 VI.Cost Estimate

VII. Plan for Dissemination and

Utilization

VIII. References
What have you understood about the concept of Action Research and how will these be utilized
in your practice?

Reflect

As a future teacher, is conducting an Action Research worth doing? _____________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________

Why? _______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

How can AR be useful for every classroom teacher? ___________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________

Write Action Research Prompts

OBSERVE
Remembering my classroom observations in FS 1, I noticed that there are many questions that I raised in
my mind. These include:
a. ________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________

REFLECT
Thinking deeply about those problems, perhaps something must have been done to solve the problem or
answer the question, like,
a. ________________________________________________________________________

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 b. ________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________

PLAN
Now that I am in FS 2, I plan to make a plan for my solution to problem (choose from a, b, c) because
_______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________

ACT
My action will come later, given enough time in FS 2 or during my Teaching Internship.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________

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 Check for Mastery

Direction: Check from the choices, what answer/s respond to the question correctly and put an X if
otherwise.

1. Action research requires a teacher to be:

____ observant of what is happening in the classroom.
____ asking one self of how to improve teaching.
____ following the daily routine all the time.
____ finding ways on how children should learn better
____ blaming learners for their inability to learn.
2. There are many ways of doing action research which follow a cyclical process. The process
include:
____ Observe, Reflect, Plan, Act
____ Observe, Plan, Act, Reflect
____ Reflect, Act, Plan, Observe
____ Plan, Observe, Act, Reflect
____ Modify, Observe, Plan, Reflect
3. As an action researcher, I will be developing my skill as a person who is
____ Systematic
____ Reflective
____ Rigorous
____ Futuristic
____ Situational
4. On which of the following would you choose to conduct an Action Research. Why?
____ Changes in the classroom practices. Why? _________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

____ Effects of curriculum restructuring. Why? _________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

____ Understanding of self as a teacher. Why? __________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

____ Teaching a new process to the students. Why? ______________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________
5. Which of the following relates closely to what action research is?
____ Used to address practical problems in the classroom
____ Refers only to everyday life of the learners
____ Allows teachers to study their own classroom
____ Brings theories and practices together
Work on my Artifacts

Your artifact will be a full blown completed Action Research.

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