1.6.4 Classroom projects

Identify a problem or puzzle in one of the classes you teach (something may have suggested itself during your beliefs log review in section 1.6.2.2). Carry out a micro-research project to investigate the issue, and to give you data on which to reflect in order to improve the situation (see section 1.6.3.7). If possible, show your collated data and comments sheet to a colleague and tell him or her about the experience. Alternatively, write a brief report or make a short entry in your beliefs log noting any beliefs that were revealed, challenged or changed as a result of the project. Identify a suitable issue as the subject for an action research project (this could be the same as that for your micro-research in i) above). Draw up a plan for carrying out the research, including consideration of any 'before and after' monitoring that would be useful, an indication of how long the whole project is likely to run for (a period of four or five weeks, perhaps), how many A-R cycles you can include in this timescale, what your first action will be (you may have to wait until you have collected initial data before you can decide this), and any other elements specific to your project. You will probably find lots of ideas for action in the remaining DELPHI modules; for example, if the problem you identify is that your students have difficulty understanding listening passages on audio-tapes, Module 5 would be a good place to look. If you are new to action research, I also strongly recommend that you refer to one of the titles on action research suggested in section 1.6.3.11 before you start.