Margarita Mara Lpez P. University of Caldas Manizales July 30,
31, 2010 Cali ABLA ELT CONFERENCE TEACHERS AS LEARNERS Action
Research: A way to become professionals in ELT
Slide 2
What do English teachers need to do in order to become
professionals? Know about the language Promote real world changes
Manage the classroom Innovate Become lecturers Begin to write
RESEARCH Publish
Slide 3
What is our reality? TEACHERS USUALLY adopt what others believe
is the best for their classrooms. do not usually reflect about
their teaching practice. do not integrate theory and practice in
the classroom
Slide 4
Why is it important for English teachers to do research? To
reflect about their own practice. To take a new role as researchers
To change something. To innovate in the classroom. For professional
development.
Slide 5
What are some other reasons ? To be involved in activities
developing ways of exploring their own classrooms. To understand
what is going on in the classroom To develop skills like
collection, analysis and interpretation of classroom data To assess
their behavior, as teachers, or the situation in the classroom. To
reflect about what they need or want to improve. .
Slide 6
What can teachers research about? CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
InteractionRoles of the teacher METHODOLOGY Multiple
intelligencesAssessment and evaluation LANGUAGE LEARNING AND
TEACHING CONTEXTS Language skillsAutonomous learning
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What can teachers research about? PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In-service ELT courses in methodology and the language EDUCATIONAL
AIDS AND POLICIES Bilingualism in ColombiaEducational laws
MATERIALS The design of worksheets The use of authentic
material
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What are some approaches to classroom research? Experimental
Approach Ethnography ApproachCase Study
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What are some others? Psychometric ApproachQualitative-
QuantitativeAction Research
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What is Action Research in ELT? Action research is a process in
which participants examine their own educational practice
systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research.
(Watts, 1985:118) Action Research is a systematic attempt to gain a
better understanding of the educational process, generally with
view to improvement. (Stern 1983:59) Action Research is trying out
ideas in practice as a means of improvement and as a means of
increasing knowledge about the curriculum, teaching, and learning.
(Kemmis and McTaggart 1985)
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What are the different stages when doing action research?
ACTION RESEARCH analysisFact-finding conceptualiz ation
planningexecution More fact- finding evaluation Lewins model
(1946)
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How can English teachers begin doing action research? Observe.
Develop a plan to improve or change something. Act to implement the
plan Observe the effects of action in the context in which it
occurs Reflect on these effects as a basis for further planning
Implement changes
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First Stage: Design an action plan and implement it Observe
Record Detect what can be improved or changed. Collect some
preliminary data
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Second Stage: Action Revise the plan Check resources or
equipment needed Implement techniques and strategies Act
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Third Stage: Observation
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Fourth stage: Reflection Understand the process, issues and
constrains found in the implementation. Think about what you
recorded from the observation. Discuss the situation with
colleagues. Triangulate information Revise the plan
Slide 17
What techniques can teachers use to collect the data?
ELICITATION TECHNIQUESOBSERVATION TECHNIQUES Surveys Interviews
Questionnaires Informal talks Field notes Journal Audio Recording
Video Recording Classroom Observation
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How can teachers analyze and Interpret the data? Data analysis
refers to sifting, organizing, summarizing and synthesizing the
data so as to arrive at the results and conclusions of the research
(Selinger ans Shohamy 1989:201)
Slide 19
What can we conclude? All English teachers should be doing
research in their classrooms. It is not difficult. Action Research
is a necessity if teachers want to improve their classes. Education
in general benefits when teachers do research. Action Research is
vital if teachers are looking for Professional Development. Teacher
do not need to be involved in a Masters program for doing research.
When teachers do research they become professionals in their
field.