Action Research an Important Educational Tool

I have recently learned a lot about action research. When I first heard the term I was apprehensive about what it is because of the terrifying word “research”. I was afraid that it would entail sitting in a library or on my computer for hours on end reading educational publications to find a predetermined answer about something in the school system. I was pleasantly surprised to learn it is merely a tool used to examine and improve personal practices within a school. Action research starts by asking a question and then delving into finding the answer to that question. Once a question is proposed the researcher collects and assesses data on the subject. They then make changes to reflect what was learned during the assessment. Finally, it involves sharing the results with colleagues. Action research can involve any situation that arises within a school system from examining curriculum to assessing how to improve student abilities. It is also a good tool that can be used to find the successes or failures of new programs added into the school. Action research is a great tool for both teachers and administrators because it gets them actively involved into professional improvement. The biggest benefit of action research is to find best practices in your school. Without action research a school’s continual improvement will remain limited causing students to suffer in the end.