Action Research

Action research is a common journey for graduate students in education and other human science fields. This book attempts to meet the needs of graduate students, in-service teachers, and any other educators interested in action research and/or self-study. The chapters of this book draw on our collective experiences as educators in a variety of educational contexts, and our roles guiding educator/researchers in various settings. All of our experiences have enabled us to question and refine our own understanding of action research as a process and means for pedagogical improvement.

Material Type: Textbook

Authors: J. Spencer Clark, Julie Thiele, Morgan Jobe, Suzanne Porath

Becoming a Leader through Action Research: Building Open Education Practice in the School Library

The role of the school librarian is evolving from keeper of library materials to leader in school reform. The digital age has elevated  information literacy from the mechanics of searching and finding to thinking and inquiry. To meet this challenge the library facility is reconceptualized as a learning environment and the collection as a dynamic process of curation and access. Library staff, including paraprofessionals, student peers, and parent volunteers are viewed as instructional support. Allocated budgets are supplemented by funding sources such as grants and donations. The school librarian, trained in Action Research, can realize the library as learning center as she systematically collects evidence, sets priorities, and constructs a Strategic Plan. This module brings together the processes of action research, including identifying a problem in practice, formulating a research question, collecting and analyzing data to conduct a Community Scan and School Library Needs Assessment. She will apply her findings to building a Strategic Plan that will transform the school library into a learning center, or improve its existing functions.

Material Type: Module

Author: carol gordon

The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)

The mission of the Center for Advanced Research on Language Aquisition (CARLA) is to study multilingualism and multiculturalism, to develop knowledge of second language acquisition, and to advance the quality of second language teaching, learning, and assessment. Some of the ways in which the center aims to achieve this mission is by conducting research and action projects in order to share research-based forms of knowledge.

Material Type: Assessment, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Action Research for Educational, Professional, and Personal Change, Fall 2007

This course covers techniques for and critical thinking about the evaluation of changes in educational practices and policies in schools, organizations, and informal contexts. Topics include quantitative and qualitative methods for design and analysis, participatory design of practices and policies, institutional learning, the wider reception or discounting of evaluations, and selected case studies, including those arising from semester-long student projects.

Material Type: Case Study, Full Course, Syllabus

Authors: Ph.D., Professor Peter Taylor

Research on Economics of Population

Research paper on the economics of population using international census data.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: George Alter

Elementary Biography Research Assessment

This word document is intended to be used as an assessment for elementary students conducting biography research.  It is a document that mimics a Facebook page and the students use the information they have found while conducting research to populate the various fields.  They also have the opportunity to create conversations that this famous person would have had with his/her contemporaries that can demonstrate whether or not the student understands the actions and intentions of the character that have explored.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: andrew robertson, MSDE Admin

Research Paper in Introductory Econometrics

Through this independent research project, students experience the process of doing real economics research using appropriate econometric methods.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Steve DeLoach

Survey of Educational Research Methods syllabus

Syllabus for Survey of Educational Research Methods course that uses the open textbook Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/oa_textbooks/3/ Course description: This course provides students with a survey of methods used in educational research, including qualitative, survey, quantitative group, correlational, single case, and action research. The role of systematic approaches to research in education is considered, and an overview of multiple ways of conducting research in education is provided. Emphasis will be placed on developing students’ competence in locating, evaluating and using published research to inform decision making in educational, clinical, and social settings. Guidelines for evaluating educational research that use the various methodologies are provided. Students will evaluate and critique published research articles.

Material Type: Syllabus

Author: Julie Alonzo

Tolerance-What lessons have we learned through the past and how will you discuss this in your Research Paper?

Tolerance-Why are we as a people so intolerant of others whether from the present, past or future?Students will have the ability to identify injustices that have been committed throughout the world. Whether this is of recent origin in society or it is remnants from World Wars, you will identify the intolerance and educate the reader throughout your Research Paper. Throughout this semester the theme of this class has been intolerance. We have discussed this in our classes, on paper with discussion questions and by watching videos. Now you will have a chance to select your topic and arrive upon a thesis that will engage and answer the questions that you have about the intolerance of the world and its' people.

Material Type: Assessment

Author: Tara Doherty

Processes of Research and Engagement , Spring 2007

In this course, students identify issues in educational or other professional settings on which to focus their critical and creative thinking skills. Each student works through the different stages of research and action - from defining a manageable project to communicating findings and plans for further work. Supervision is provided when the student's research centers on new teaching practices, workshops in the community, or volunteer. The classes run as workshops in which students are introduced to and then practice using tools for research, writing, communicating, and supporting the work of others.

Material Type: Full Course, Homework/Assignment, Syllabus

Authors: Ph.D., Professor Peter Taylor

Rabies: Create a Community Action Plan

This activity is a web-based inquiry on how to control the spread of rabies in a community. Students are given a hypothetical situation in which rabies has been found in their home community.  Interaction between the people, pets, wildlife, and livestock in the area is emphasized. An informative lesson on rabies is included.  Students are asked to use different resources to research and develop an action plan to stop the spread of rabies in their community.

Material Type: Homework/Assignment

Author: Owl Nest Manager

Newton's Third Law: Action–Reaction

In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, an early astronaut's experiences teach students that Newton's third law of motion—for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction—applies both on Earth and in outer space.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Walmart Foundation, WGBH Educational Foundation

The Constitution in Action: Article I (Lab Team 2)

In this activity students will analyze the Declaration of Intention for Albert Einstein and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article I, sections 8-10 of the Constitution in action. This activity is designed to prepare students for the Constitution-in-Action Lab at the National Archives in Washington, DC. It is a part of a package of activities associated with the lab experience.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

The Constitution in Action: Article II (Lab Team 3)

In this activity students will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in action. This activity is designed to prepare students for the Constitution-in-Action Lab at the National Archives in Washington, DC. It is a part of a package of activities associated with the lab experience.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Primary Source

Understanding Organic: Connections to Action in the Garden Classroom

***This curriculum is provided by The Edible Schoolyard Project with full permission to share*** Understanding Organic: Connections to Action in the Garden Classroom is a garden and classroom-based curriculum for middle to high school students that explores the concepts and meanings of organic agriculture. The curriculum consists of a short preparatory unit, a sequence of ten core lessons, and twelve optional extension inquiries that can also be taught as standalone lessons. The ten core lessons utilize hands-on explorations of organic practices and feature textual analysis and open discussions to examine the complex meanings of organic. The final project workbook introduces students to a social action project in which students apply their knowledge and experiences to enact justice-oriented change related to organic. We recommend that you start by reading the curriculum overview linked below before reading individual lessons. 

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment, Diagram/Illustration, Lesson Plan, Primary Source, Reading

Author: The Bee Cause Project

Oceans in Action

In this project, students are all assigned citizen roles on a fictitious island community. Each citizen role has a set of values that they will maintain while the community argues how to recover from its economic decline. Two different industries have proposed to operate from the island, and students debate through a town council meeting, whether to bring one, both, or neither of these industries to the island, and if so, under what conditions.

Material Type: Unit of Study

The Fish Wars: What Kinds of Actions Can Lead to Justice

This online lesson provides perspectives from Native American community members and their supporters, images, news footage, an interactive timeline, and other sources about an important campaign to secure the treaty rights and sovereignty of Native Nations of the Pacific Northwest. Scroll to begin an exploration of the actions Native Nations took to address injustices.

Material Type: Lesson, Module

Author: Native Knowledge 360

Global Nomads Group: Global Citizens in Action: Civic Engagement Curriculum (Semester-Long Program)

Global Citizens in Action is a civic engagement curriculum that focuses on cultural exchange, media literacy, and global citizenship. Through exploring the driving question, “How do we, as youth, engage our communities to create positive social change?”

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Case Study, Full Course, Interactive, Lecture, Lesson Plan, Student Guide

Author: Global Nomads Group (GNG)

Accessible Learning Across the Lifespan

Discover accessible learning across the lifespan in these short and informative videos designed to start conversations about the importance of accessibility and accessible materials in your context. Introduction to Accessibility In this first video in our series, you’ll build an understanding of what accessibility means. People who need accessible materials and technologies describe how access creates inclusion where they live, learn, and work. Ultimately, accessibility is achieved when we remove barriers — or better yet, design environments that are inclusive for everyone from the beginning.

Material Type: Primary Source

Author: National Center on Accessible Educational Materials

Understanding Document Accessibility

A Reference for Creating Accessible Office Documents Short Description: With much of the world gone digital, learning to create documents that are accessible to everyone is becoming a necessary skill. Intended for a general audience, this free resource reviews a wide range of document authoring applications, including the tools they contain for creating accessible documents, and tests them to ensure they do not contain potential barriers. Learn how to create accessible word processed documents, spreadsheets, presentation slides, and PDF documents, among others, so they are accessible to everyone. Long Description: With much of the world gone digital, learning to create documents that are accessible to everyone is becoming a necessary skill. Intended for a general audience, this free resource reviews a wide range of document authoring applications, including the tools they contain for creating accessible documents, and tests them to ensure they do not contain potential barriers. Learn how to create accessible word processed documents, spreadsheets, presentation slides, and PDF documents, among others, so they are accessible to everyone. Word Count: 113386 (Note: This resource's metadata has been created automatically by reformatting and/or combining the information that the author initially provided as part of a bulk import process.)

Material Type: Textbook