Action research has its roots in the same inquiry process of questioning, observing, and taking action.
Action Research
Engaging in Action Research
Did you know that you can apply inquiry skills to improve your own teaching practices? You may have already heard about or even participated in action research. Action research is a method of professional development that consists of studying issues related to your teaching practice that follows a cycle of problem-posing, action, observation, reflection, and sharing (Manfra, 2020). Action research uses a process, very similar to that of inquiry, to look for ways to improve your own teaching practices by finding incremental ways to modify instructional practices with the goal of improving student outcomes.
Action research works to help uncover and solve issues, large and small, to give teachers realistic, practical problem-solving and change in their classrooms, schools, and systems. Teachers can use action research to focus deliberately on what issues exist and figure out where they start, whether it’s teaching strategies, activities, resources, content, and even policies and protocols.
“Once teachers learn that the action research process is really connected to daily practice, the data's everywhere. They can gather data from conversations with students, or really short interviews, and start to have more confidence in their ability to engage in it.”
- Dr. Meghan Manfra
Click through the interactive below to find action research questions to support your use of the Inquiry Kits in the classroom:
