Action research

In this module you will learn to develop the research skills necessary to support an action-research inquiry. You will read and critique prior research focused on schools and classrooms, and use a range of data-collection strategies and methods of analysis appropriate to educational contexts. In conjunction with using the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, throughout the module you will create an annotated portfolio of evidence that reflects your learning about action-research methodology.

You will be asked to bring your draft portfolio entries to discuss and reflect on with peers during the workshops. The entries should be completed progressively across the course. As this is a master's level unit of study, you will be expected to use American Psychology Association (APA) referencing throughout the portfolio entries when analysing readings. The portfolio will be due about two weeks after the final session of the module.

Required commitment (for 20 hours of professional learning):

• Attend all online synchronous workshop sessions. We recommend that pairs or small groups of participants who intend to conduct action research together enrol in this course together.
• Complete data collection and analysis activities for discussion in workshop sessions.
• Complete weekly assigned readings.
• Further analyse evidence of research practice and annotate against Professional Teaching Standards.
• Engage in feedback discussions with colleagues and presenter.
• Develop a possible focus for an action-research project.
• Complete an ongoing professional portfolio (3000 words) that includes the annotated documents, reflection about research practices and links to associated readings.

Professional portfolio of evidence requirements:

• Personal profile of participant (400 words)
• 4 x evidence samples of research practice, accompanied by critical analyses/journal entries linking the evidence of research practises, readings and the AITSL standards (each one approximately 550 words)
• Outline of a possible action-research project (200 words)
• Self-evaluation statement (200 words)
• Reference list.

Building on the content of module 1, this module will support you to develop and lead an action-research project of your own design. You will work with the presenter and colleagues to:

• refine the problem for your research project
• design appropriate data-collection strategies
• analyse data
• report on findings.

Workshop content will be designed collaboratively to meet your learning needs and the demands of your project design. For example, this may include a workshop session on writing for publication, as a way to share findings with the broader education community.

As this is a master's level unit of study, you will be expected to use American Psychology Association (APA) referencing throughout the portfolio entries when analysing readings. The portfolio will be due approximately two weeks after the final session of the module.

Required commitment (for 20 hours of professional learning):

• Attend all online synchronous workshop sessions.
• Establish an action-research team or partnership.
• Negotiate regular research activity in line with the timeline for the project.
• Collect, analyse and discuss data and findings with presenter and colleagues.
• Complete an ongoing action-research report (equivalent to 3000 words) that documents the inquiry process related to the identified focus.

Requirements of the inquiry report (equivalent to 3000 words):

• Introduction (yourself, your situation, the participants, your research problem and the reasons for choosing it).
• An account of the design and what happened in each cycle of research action.
• Critical analysis/reflection on the issues encountered.
• Conclusion (what you learned, your recommendations for change and suggestions for further research action inquiry).