Action Research

Action

Pre-Assess (if appropriate)

Before

enacting your plan, gather data and

information about the population you are
teaching.
Some possible pre-assessment strategies
may include:
Pre-tests
an

evaluation of students prior to instruction to

determine what level of knowledge, skill or aptitude
they are bringing to instruction

Student interviews
allow

the teacher to ask the student questions to

determine their present knowledge or aptitude level
prior to instruction

Teacher observations
collect

information, i.e. prior knowledge of the group

Enact the plan Use the strategy

Pre-determined

group of learners
Implemented over an extended period of
time
At least four to six weeks of implementation

During

implementation

record observations of student behavior,

reactions and progress
Written

notes including positive & negative aspects

Anecdotal records
Video and audio recordings
Teacher
Students

Measure the effect of the

strategy Collect Data

Posttest/formal assessment
Measure gains in student knowledge after the
implementation process

Student interviews
Determine if the student has mastered course or unit
objectives

student portfolios
Electronic/paper collection of student work samples used
for evaluation

Reviewing video footage

Self assessment
Effective/non-effective

plan
Improvements/changes

Links
Sample

interview

http://activated.decs.act.gov.au/assessableMomen
ts/assessment/interviews/interviews.htm
Research

guidelines on observations

http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/programs/psychology
/students/research/observation.xhtml
Using

videotape as self-evaluation tool

http://bokcenter.harvard.edu/docs/videotaping.ht
ml
Portfolios

http://www.pgcps.org/%7Eelc/portfolio.html