I chose to concentrate on an area that focused on 21st learning skills and strategies that

had the largest impact on my future students. I chose to focus on establishing problem based
learning to stimulate critical thinking in students. When you stimulate critical thinking in
students it allows them to solve complex problems. As an educator it is critical to instill students
with the need to become lifelong learners. When you establish life longer learners you have
planted a seed for continuous growth that will seek self-improvements. They will chose to make
an impact in whatever career path they chose.
The reason I chose the area of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and
creativity is because the Army has seen in influx of newly integrated soldiers who are lacking the
basic skills when it comes to solving complex problems. These areas are key in enabling soldiers
and students alike to think outside the box. Recent studies conducted by the Education Trust
have shown nearly 25 percent of all high school students cannot pass the entrance exam to get
into the Armed Forces. The median scores for the students are at 45 out of 99. This academic
issue has large national security implications when the Armed Forces do not have a large enough
pool to recruit from.
Although I was not able to implement my action plan in a classroom, I find it a necessary
to implement it in my future classroom. Problem based learning will ensure students are in an
environment that will foster growth through intensive sessions. The next step for my area of
focus is to refine it based on the recommendations made by the interviewees. They provided
some great insight on what skills and qualities the educator facilitating the learning should have.
They recommended a strong leader who can provide knowledge based on meaningful
experiences. They mentioned having a culminating event for the group to accomplish. The

event that I chose was military based, but they wanted to see something more academically based
to support the newly learned skills.
Using action research to better prepare my future students for challenges is going to be
vital for their successes. The action research needs to be based on strategies that meet the
students needs. The plan has to fit the audience. I would like to conduct further research to see
what effect PBL has on younger students. I truly believe exposing students at an early age the
better it will be for future growth. I plan to use this action research project to implement a
needed change in curriculums that have not kept up with the changes of the 21st century.
Action research and the University of Saint Mary Conceptual Model are similar because
they both are methods to identify areas in a classroom that need to be improved. Both begin with
identifying a challenge or a problem. After the problem is identified research is conducted and
reviewed to clarify, examine, and improve. In action research you write an implementation
plan that outlines your goals and how the goals are going to be measured. The USM conceptual
model third step is implanting a better action. If the plan has been implemented you measure and
evaluate the outcomes of your action research. You accomplish this by using and collecting
artifacts and data from the plan. Once the data is collected you reflect on the process and either
adjust your action statement or begin a new premise.
The action research process is integrally connected to the NBPTS standards. The NBPTS
standards set guidelines for educators to strive to follow while teaching in their classroom. The
first core propositions is teachers are committed to students and their learning is the reason
why teachers conduct action research. It is conducted to improve the students learning
environment in order for them to be successfully academically. The forth proposition teachers

think systematically about their practice and learn from experience, students are not only the
ones that benefit and grow from action research. Educators learn and grow from action research
as well because they are also setting goals and professional out comes.
The USMs GPOs and the NBPTS propositions are very similar. They coincide with
each other, truly complementing each other with the standards and guidelines they set. My
action research address GOP number two; dedicating themselves to life-long learning and
professional development. Creating an environment for your students and you were critical
thinking is stimulated is fundamental to becoming lifelong learners. It also addresses;
performing critical analysis and reflective practice because addressing the critical learning skills
of the 21st century can be a complex issue.
My action research project has expanded my views on critical strategies of the 21st
century. There are many things that are being taught in schools that are no longer relevant to the
current times. The life skills in the 21st century are not to be dismissed as well. They provide the
foundation students need to be successful. Teaching about the characteristics students should
have is important to instill a sense of citizenship. Growing as an educator is the only way you
can keep up with strategies and skills as the worlds complexity shift.