The role action research may play in the creating positive change in science teaching strategies are considered relevant and significant.
Action research is one form of meaningful way that a teacher can do to enhance her teaching strategies. It is a tool that can be used to help not only the science teachers but also other educators uncover strategies to improve teaching practices. Sagor (2004), it is a realistic endeavor for all teachers. For science and other teachers they are requires to design a study in an area of interest that they would like to carry out in their classrooms or schools.
Many teachers are often heard that they are too busy to conduct an action research & read other researches. For many, research appears to be complex activities to be done. It is difficult and time consuming for many teachers. Those who are in the teaching profession for quite a long time, find research irrelevant, because these are very few researches written by teachers that they can use as point of reference.
On the other hand, action research provides an avenue for teacher learning. In Johnson & Buttons (2000) study teachers noticed the links between their own learning & the learning of their students, affirming that the principles of good learning that they use with their own students may be applied to their own classrooms. They found out that by using action research, teachers began to appreciate their own ability to increase knowledge through their own projects.
According to Sax & Fisher as cited by O’Connor Et.al.(2001) action research allows teachers the opportunities to identify changes they need to make their teaching practices by building their own classroom projects.
Teacher’s opportunity to improve may occur as teachers learn more about their teaching practices. Teacher improvement and teacher change as teachers learn more about their teaching and instruction.
According to Mc Bee (2004) the quality of teaching can be improved if teachers use their own research findings.
References:
Mc Bee, M. The classroom as laboratory: An Exploration of Teacher Research. Ralph Review, 27, 52-58 (2004)
Sagor, R. The Action Research Guidebook: A four-step process for educators and school teams. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Johnson, M & Button, R. Connecting Graduate Education in language arts with teaching contexts: The Power of Action Research, English Education, 32, 107-126
O, Connor, K.A. et.al. Action Research: A Tool for Improving Teacher Quality & Classroom Practice
By: Miriam L. Caser | Bagac National High School | Parang, Bagac, Bataan
