Field Study

Participation and Teaching Assistantship

FIELD STUDY 2- LEARNING EPISODE 3 – Understanding AR Concepts, Processes and 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 Outcomes
At the end of this Learning 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.
Clarify Your Task
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 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 ( Adaption)
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
leaned before is the problem anchored?
REFLECT Reflect (Reflection continues all through out 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 I 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 situation prevails 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
leaned before are the problems anchored?
REFLECT Reflect (Reflection continues all through out 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 I get out of the data?

● Department of Education (DO 16) 2017 Model

Action Research Key Action Research Process

Components

I. CONTEXT AND RATIONAL Identifying the Problem

II. ACTION RESEARCH 1. Why am I doing this?

QUESTION
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
STRATEGY 1. What do I plan as a solution to the problem I 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
METHODS
1. Who are to participate? (my students, peers, myself)
a. Particpants and/ or
other Source of Data and 2. What are my sources of information? (participants)
Information 3. How shall I gather information?
b. Data Gathering 4. How will I analyze my data/information?
Methods

c. Data Analysis Plan

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
UTILIZATION 1. How will I share the result of my action research? (Publish, Present, Flyers, LAC
sessions)

2. Can I collaborate with other teachers to continue or replicate my study?

VIII. REFERENCE References

1. What reading materials and references are included in my review of literature?

REVISIT THE INFOGRAPHIC

Action research is a dynamic process anchored on the Reflection – Action Cycle of Observing, Reflection, Acting,
Evaluating and Modifying.
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.

Participate and Assist

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-a-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

RFLECT 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

 RFLECT Reflection

PLAN Plan of Action

ACT Implementation

● Or if you choose the DepED Model, 2017, here are the components

Title and Author : ( the same as your entry in model A)

Key Components Entry from your Sample AR

I. Context and Rationale Study Background

II. Action Reseach Question AR Questions

III. Proposed Innovation, Describe Innovation/Intervention/ Strategy.

Intervation Strategy

IV. Action Research Methods Describe Action Research Methods

a. Particpants/Other
sources of Data

b. Data Gathering Methods

c. Data Analysis Plan

V. Action Research Work Plan Summarize Action Research Work Plan.

VI. Cost Estimate Write cost estimate

VII. Plan for Dissemination and Describe how the results will be shared
Utilization

VIII. Reference Write at least 3 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?

How can AR be useful for every classroom teacher?

Write Action Research Prompts

OBSERVE
Remembering my classroom observation in FS 1,1 notice that there are many questions that I raused 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.

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.
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?

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 artifacts will be a full blown completed Action Research