What are some tools and resources for conducting action research in your classroom?

1 Define your question

The first step in action research is to define your question or problem. What do you want to know or improve in your classroom? What is the purpose and significance of your inquiry? How does it relate to your curriculum, standards, and students' needs? You can use tools such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or journaling to generate and refine your question. You can also consult with your colleagues, mentors, or experts to get feedback and support.

2 Review the literature

The next step is to review the literature on your topic. What do other researchers and practitioners say about your question or problem? What theories, frameworks, or models can inform your inquiry? What evidence, best practices, or recommendations can guide your action? You can use resources such as online databases, journals, books, or websites to find relevant and reliable sources. You can also use tools such as citation managers, note-taking apps, or literature review templates to organize and synthesize your information.

3 Plan your action

The third step is to plan your action or intervention. What do you want to do or change in your classroom? What are your objectives and expected outcomes? How will you implement, monitor, and document your action? What are the ethical, practical, and logistical considerations? You can use tools such as action plans, timelines, checklists, or rubrics to design and structure your action. You can also use resources such as sample action research projects, guides, or templates to get ideas and inspiration.

4 Collect and analyze data

The fourth step is to collect and analyze data on your action. How will you measure the impact and effectiveness of your action? What data sources and methods will you use? How will you ensure the validity, reliability, and credibility of your data? How will you interpret and present your findings? You can use tools such as surveys, interviews, observations, tests, or portfolios to collect data. You can also use tools such as spreadsheets, graphs, charts, or software to analyze data.

5 Reflect and share

The final step is to reflect and share your action research. What did you learn from your inquiry? What were the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of your action and data? How will you use your findings to improve your practice and student learning? How will you communicate and disseminate your results to others? You can use tools such as reflection journals, reports, posters, or presentations to reflect and share your action research. You can also use resources such as peer feedback, conferences, workshops, or publications to collaborate and learn from others.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?