Research in the Primary English Classroom

 Research in the Primary English Classroom

Definition of classroom research is involves doing research in school settings about teaching and learning. In this article I define classroom research as a process of investigating questions about teaching and learning that is undertaken in a systematic way by teachers who want to better understand their own work.

Definition of Classroom Action Research Action research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research (Ferrance, 2000 : 1)

The aim of Classroom Action Research Burns (2000) (as cited in Hien, 2009:98) 

* A means of remedying problems in a specific situations or somewhat improving a given set of circumstances. 

* A means of in-service training by equipping the teachers with new skills and methods, sharpening analytical powers and heightening self-awareness. 

* A means of injecting additional or innovatory approaches to teaching and learning into an ongoing system which normally inhibits innovation and change.

* A means of improving the normally poor communications between the practising teachers and the academic researchers and of remedying the failure of traditional research to give clear prescriptions. • A means of providing a preferable alternative to the more subjective, impressionistic approach to problem-solving in the classroom.

Types of Classroom Action Research Practical action research Participatory action research

Definition of CAR types based on Creswell (2012): 

1. Practical Action Research Teacher seek to research problems in their own classroom so that they can improve their students’ learning and their own professioanl performance. 

Example: 

* An elementary teacher studies the disruptive behavior of a child in her classroom. 

* A team composed of students, teachers and parents studies the result of implementing a new math program in the junior high. 

* A community college instructor studies his professional development using technology in teaching.

2. Participatory action research Participatory action research has a social and community orientation and an emphasis on research that contributes to emacipation or change in our society. 

Example: 

* Tests that label and stereotype students

* Texts that omit important historical persons or events of cultural and ethnic groups 

* Assessments that serve to confirm student failure rather than learning 

* K-12 classroom interactions that silence or quiet the voices of minority students.

Model of Classroom Action Research

1. Planning Planning in action research is constructive and arises during discussion by the participants. The plan must cover critically examined action by each of participants and included the method of evaluating the changes implemented to solve the problem situation and concern.

2. Acting Acting is the implementation of the planning which consists of some achievable steps that the researcher has to do in the research.

3. Observation Observation in action research is portion of action research where the changes outlined in the plan are observed and determined their effects on the context of situation. Here the instrument to collect the data should be used.

4. Reflecting After carrying out the teaching and learning activities, the researcher in this stage evaluates the result to see the effectiveness of the action program. By conducting the reflection, the researcher will find whether it is necessary to conduct another cycle.

Data Collection and Analysis

a) direct observational data: audio or video tape classroom behavior; fieldnotes of observers;

b) self reports in the form of surveys, questionnaires, checklists, diaries or journals, and interviews with teachers and learners.

References : 

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/Jazzyzee/classroom-action-research-car 

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fang-Qi-2/publication/252970005_Classroom_Research_and_Action_Research_Principles_and_Practice_in_EFL_Classroom/links/5cce719b299bf14d95782b6d/Classroom-Research-and-Action-Research-Principles-and-Practice-in-EFL-Classroom.pdf?origin=publication_detail