First lesson

Here is my first assignment. I guess I am going for it.

Action Research Component

On the Discussion Board, under the thread titled 3.1 Session One: Section A, post Section A of your Action Research Study.

A. What is my research interest?

Begin by asking the question "What are the issues, concerns, problems in my practice?" Identify a concern that YOU can do something about, in relation to the quality of student learning. Notice that the words "issues, concerns and problems" call attention to personal values, and you should select some aspect of your teaching that relates to students’ learning--it MUST have direct relevance to your teaching. Part of the challenge lies in constructing a "researchable" question that you believe has significance and substance to self and others. This question will help you determine what data you will collect and how you will collect it.

During this class, you will begin the practice of Action Research. According to Arhar, Holly and Kasten (2001) Action Research is "an orientation to research, a form of professional practice, a research process, and, for teachers, a reflective way of teaching." Action Research answers the question "How can I improve my practice?"

The combination of Choice Theory and Action Research is a natural one. In Choice Theory, students learn to practice the G-PAR to achieve their goals. Action Research provides a G-PAR for teachers, to allow them to systematically inquire into the patterns that occur in their classrooms, and to allow them to experiment with ways they can change those patterns in a purposeful way. You will take your first step toward Action Research by identifying a problem in your classroom. Perhaps a group of students are not engaged, or present behavior problems, or perhaps students are repeatedly not achieving in a particular subject or class - or maybe your problem is completely different from all of those issues. Whatever this problem is, reflect upon it.

Note the steps you have taken in the past to correct it, that haven't worked. Note the impact it has on your students' educational experience, and your own professional performance. Don't explore solutions - not at this point. Just identify the problem, and try to get it down to one well-defined question.

Some examples of Action Research questions that have been explored in the past include:
How can I create a classroom environment that holds students responsible for their own learning?

How do I maintain an efficient and effective classroom atmosphere?

How can I monitor my classroom so that my students are held more accountable for their own learning?