Beauty is in the “I” Beauty is in the “I” of the Beholderof the Beholder

Thubten YesheThubten Yeshe

A World in Transition A World in Transition

Modern World Postmodern World

Single RealitySingle Reality Multiple Constructed FormsMultiple Constructed Forms

The Nature of Reality

The Relationship Between Researcher and “Researched”The Relationship Between Researcher and “Researched”

Independent Independent InteractiveInteractive

Quantitative

Resulting Research Continuum Resulting Research Continuum Action Research

Quantitative

Resulting Research Continuum Resulting Research Continuum Action Research

The Role of ResearchedThe Role of Researched

Subject Subject ParticipantParticipant

The Research Process and OutcomesThe Research Process and Outcomes

Generalization Generalization Working HypothesisWorking Hypothesis

Quantitative

Resulting Research Continuum Resulting Research Continuum Action Research

The Role of the Researcher’s ValuesThe Role of the Researcher’s Values

Quantitative

Resulting Research Continuum Resulting Research Continuum Action Research

Value FreeValue Free Value BoundValue Bound

Quantitative

Resulting Research Continuum Resulting Research Continuum Action Research

The Researcher Methodology The Researcher Methodology

ExclusiveExclusive InclusiveInclusive

Quantitative

Resulting Research Continuum Resulting Research Continuum Action Research

The Locus of ControlThe Locus of Control

Institutions of TheoryInstitutions of Theory Institutions of PracticeInstitutions of Practice

Action Research – Group 4Action Research – Group 4

Origins

Rediscovery

Process

Summary

http://www.infed.org/research/b-actres.htm

OriginsOrigins

Kurt Lewin

Coined Term “Action Research”

Approach involved a spiral of steps

2 Camps

British Tradition - Self Reflective inquiry

USA - Social Change

http://www.infed.org/research/b-actres.htm

OriginsOrigins

Kurt Lewin

Coined Term “Action Research”

Approach involved a spiral of steps

2 Camps

British Tradition - Self Reflective inquiry

USA - Social Change

http://www.infed.org/research/b-actres.htm

REDISCOVERYREDISCOVERY

Stringer

Community-based research (social values)

Extend understanding and resolve problems

Characteristics

democratic ∆ liberating

equitable ∆ life enhancing

http://www.infed.org/research/b-actres.htm

Action Research ProcessAction Research Process

Three Basic Phases

1. Look - gathering information

2. Think - interpreting and explaining

3. Act - resolving issues

http://www.infed.org/research/b-actres.htm

SUMMARYSUMMARY

Action Research is:

Collective Self-Reflective Inquiry

Conducted in a Social Situation

Collaborative

Critically Examined individually

http://www.infed.org/research/b-actres.htm

Action Research – Group 3Action Research – Group 3

Action Research Is…

http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arp/aandr.html#a_aar_whatis

•A natural way of acting

•A natural way of research

Act>Review> Act>Review> Act>Review> Act>Review> Act>Review> Act>Review>

Action Research – Group 3Action Research – Group 3

How does Action Research Achieve Outcomes?

http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arp/aandr.html#a_aar_whatis

•Remove the gap between deciders and doers

•Participation generates commitment

•Participation provides more complete information

Managers>Employees>Teachers>Pupils> Parents> Children>

Action Research – Group 3Action Research – Group 3

Action Research Needs Critical Reflection

http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arp/aandr.html#a_aar_whatis

•Systematic reflection gives confidence

•Pay attention to unexpected results

Reflect>Revise> Reflect>Revise> Reflect>Revise> Reflect>Revise> Reflect>Revise>

Action Research – Group 3Action Research – Group 3http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arp/aandr.html#a_aar_whatis

Reflection>Action> Reflection>Action> Reflection>Action> Reflection>Action>

Action Research – Group 3Action Research – Group 3

Flexible and Rigorous

http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arp/aandr.html#a_aar_whatis

Change>Understanding> Change>Understanding> Change>Understanding>

•Fuzzy questions

•Answers become more precise with critical reflection

•Qualitative>Words

•Quantitative>Numbers

Action Research – Group 3Action Research – Group 3

When to use action research

http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arp/aandr.html#a_aar_whatis

Cycle>Cycle> Cycle>Cycle> Cycle>Cycle> Cycle>Cycle> Cycle>Cycle>

•Achieve understanding

•Achieve change

Action Research – Group 2Action Research – Group 2

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/100047/chapter1.html

Three Purposes for Action Three Purposes for Action ResearchResearch

Building the Reflective PractitionerBuilding the Reflective PractitionerMaking Progress on Schoolwide PrioritiesMaking Progress on Schoolwide PrioritiesBuilding Professional CulturesBuilding Professional Cultures

Building the Reflective PractitionerBuilding the Reflective Practitioner

Process that will foster continuous growth Process that will foster continuous growth and developmentand development

Reflection on teaching practiceReflection on teaching practice Implement changes based upon Implement changes based upon

experienceexperienceDeveloping strengths through continuous Developing strengths through continuous

progressprogress

Making Progress on Schoolwide Making Progress on Schoolwide PrioritiesPriorities

Development of common focus on Development of common focus on strengthening school programsstrengthening school programs

Collaborative achievement of shared goalsCollaborative achievement of shared goalsTeam building and program developmentTeam building and program developmentSignificant progress on schoolwide Significant progress on schoolwide

priorities priorities

Building Professional CulturesBuilding Professional Cultures

Independent/team research Independent/team research Multiple research inquiriesMultiple research inquiriesShared findings among colleagues for Shared findings among colleagues for

improved independent practiceimproved independent practiceContribute to organizational learningContribute to organizational learning

Why Action ResearchWhy Action Research

Professionalize TeachingProfessionalize TeachingEnhance Motivation and Efficacy of Enhance Motivation and Efficacy of

FacultyFacultyMeet needs of increasingly diverse student Meet needs of increasingly diverse student

bodybodySuccess with “standards-based” reformSuccess with “standards-based” reform

Professionalize TeachingProfessionalize Teaching

Blue-collarBlue-collar RoutineRoutine IsolatedIsolated Occasional supervisedOccasional supervised Vigilance & vigorVigilance & vigor Straight forward, Straight forward,

simplesimple

ProfessionalProfessional Non-routineNon-routine ComplexComplex Problem solvingProblem solving CollaborationCollaboration DemandingDemanding DynamicDynamic Informed practice – Informed practice –

teacher expertteacher expert CreativeCreative

Enhance Motivation of FacultyEnhance Motivation of Faculty

Empirical evidence of student Empirical evidence of student achievementachievement

Credible evidence of teaching practiceCredible evidence of teaching practice Increased job satisfaction (“I’m making a Increased job satisfaction (“I’m making a

difference”)difference”)Teachers motivated by resultsTeachers motivated by results

Meeting Needs of Diverse Student Meeting Needs of Diverse Student BodyBody

Awareness of unique learner characteristicsAwareness of unique learner characteristicsStrong content backgroundStrong content backgroundDiagnosis of unique learner needsDiagnosis of unique learner needsAwareness of new/emerging strategiesAwareness of new/emerging strategiesPrescribe appropriate interventionsPrescribe appropriate interventions

Success with “Standards-based” Success with “Standards-based” ReformReform

High stakes accountability now normHigh stakes accountability now normStudents & Teachers master standardsStudents & Teachers master standardsConsequencesConsequencesEncourage experimentation, inquiry, Encourage experimentation, inquiry,

dialogue by teachersdialogue by teachersTeachers conduct research “standards Teachers conduct research “standards

attainment” themselvesattainment” themselves

THE TIME IS RIGHT THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR ACTION FOR ACTION

RESEARCHRESEARCH!!

Action Research – Group 1Action Research – Group 1

• Disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking the action

• Primary reason is to assist in improving and/or refining his or her actions

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/100047/chapter1.html

Action Research – Group 1Action Research – Group 1

Big Idea 1: Selecting a Focus

Big Idea 2: Clarifying theories

Big Idea 3: Identifying research questions

Big Idea 4: Collecting Data

Big Idea 5: Analyzing Data

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/100047/chapter1.html

PROCESS – 7 STEPS

Action Research – Group 1Action Research – Group 1

Big Idea 6: Reporting Results

Big Idea 7: Taking Informed Action

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/100047/chapter1.html