Action Research

Prior to starting this course I assumed all research was basically the same: you pick a topic, find some sources, write a paper, and then you are done. Having been introduced to the concept of action research my opinion has rightfully changed. Even breaking down the term “action research” implies something different from normal research. Action indicates something that is ongoing, perpetual, and engaging. Action research, or academic inquiry, is a dynamic skill set that allows the researcher the opportunity to maximize his research and develop a more full understanding of a desired topic.
As an advantage, action research also permits the inquirer to engage in meaningful staff development and produce solutions that are campus and/or district specific instead of theoretical assessments produced by college and university specialists.
I am hoping to use action research to improve my own teaching strategies and impact other teachers around me. As is the case on many campuses and in many districts Math and Science tend to have the greatest difficulty of any content area on standardized tests like TAKS. My goal is to see how the infusion of project-based, or problem-based, learning with an emphasis on the integration of Web 2.0 tools will impact student achievement on standardized tests.