Little did I know that I was introduced to the idea of action research by an excellent administrator about 6 years ago. She observed my teaching and suggested learning how to teach by the method of problem based learning. An adept teacher was brought in to instruct me and other teachers as to this new and innovative format of teaching could be implemented. After reading Dana and Harris I realize that that was my first taste of something akin to action research.
Action research is a way of addressing problems, finding solutions and implementing the solutions that place the power into the hands of the person who is most in touch with the reality of the problem. This person may be the administrator, the teacher or the student. Rather than having answers available only from the “Sage on the stage” the answers can come from the learners themselves. Information from experts can be read; however, they do not have to rely on outside experts to devise a plan for them that may not fully address the issue as it presents itself on their campus. A principal realizing that bullying is occurring can learn and develop a plan specific to the type of bullying presenting itself at their school. A teacher who realizes their students cannot grasp word problems does not have to rely on an expert to tell them how to address the problem they can get data from their own class and tailor make a plan for their students. In essence the person dealing with the problem is empowered to implement and effective solution.
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