Article on Action Research

Preparation and uploading of self designed article of pedagogic relevance in the Blog

TOPIC

Action research of ninth standard students in regards of lack of interest in learning English grammar and spelling mistake.

ABSTRACT

Action research is focused on solving specific classroom or school problems, improving practice, and helping to make decisions at local sites. The purpose of action research is to provide teacher-researchers with a method for solving problems in schools so that they may improve both student learning and teacher effectiveness. Action research is a philosophy and methodology of research that is generally applied in the social sciences.

INTRODUCTION

Action research is a philosophy and methodology of research generally applied in the social sciences. It seeks transformative change through the simultaneous process of taking action and doing research, which are linked together by critical reflection. In the field of education, action research is systemic inquiry conducted by educators with a vested interest in the teaching-learning process or environment for the purpose of gathering information about how their school operates, how they teach, and how their students learn.

Action research focuses on solving specific classroom or school problems, improving practice, and helping to make decisions at a local site. Action research generates knowledge around inquiry in practical educational contexts and allows educators to learn through their actions with the purpose of developing personally or professionally. Action research contributes significantly to the professional stance that teachers may adopt because it encourages them to examine the dynamics of their classrooms, ponder the actions of students, challenge existing practices, and take risks in the process. Action research is largely about developing the professional disposition of teachers by encouraging them to be continuous learners in their classrooms and of their practice.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

During my school internship period, I was assigned to teach students of class 9 of GHSS Poothrikka. There were three batches of class 9, from their performance in studies I realised that they seemed to be so slow in studying new words, they also face difficulty in grammar part and regarding writing they made mistakes while writing English.

DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM

The students faced little difficulty in learning English, the major issues faced was in learning new words, writing and in grammar portions. It was after checking the notebooks I came to realise that the students made careless errors. They frequently ask the meanings of new words and some students find difficulty in learning grammar.

ACTION HYPOTHESIS

The major causes for the difficulty in learning and issues faced were the following:

• Basic language skills were not taught properly at young ages

• Mother tongue influence

• Lack of practice

• Shift from online to offline class mode

• Carelessness while learning English

• English being taught using mother tongue

ACTION PLAN

Sample- The sample for the study was collected from class 9 students of GHSS Poothrikka.

Duration of study- The research was conducted from the end of first month of internship period.

Design of the study- The data were collected from students of class 9, a pre test was conducted and analysis was done, then an action program was done and later on post test was conducted to assess the success.

Action programme- The actions taken to improve their learning include the following,

• Proper supervision of homework

• Students were asked to complete textual questions on their own

• Teacher herself prepared extra questions

• Students were asked to prepare vocabulary notes

• Students were asked to present thought for the day

• Grammar was taught using ICT and charts

• Language games were involved in learning English

• Reinforcement was given at adequate times

Analysis and interpretation

From the research I came to realise that traditional methods of teaching cause boredom in students, language games and cooperative and collaborative learning boost energy level of students. I included visual aids in my teaching, provided remedial classes and saw that students show gradual progress in their English learning.

Conclusion

Action research is an informal research conducted by teachers researchers are not by academic researchers. Although action research can not match the reliable and validity of fundamental research, it can be of great use and significance in educational field since it helps teachers to know about their teaching and improve it.