It's About the Kids - Transforming Teacher-Student Relationships Through Action Research

Title - It's About the Kids - Transforming Teacher-Student Relationships Through Action Research

Author - Dwight Rogers, Cheryl Mason Bolick, Amy Anderson, Evelyn Gordon, Meghan McGlinn Manfra, Jan Yow

Author's Purpose for Writing - Action research is often used in teacher education programs to improve teacher reflection and practice, but there is little indication of its impact on students.

What are the points made in the review of the literature? Action research provides a vehicle for teachers to establish more personal relationships with students, develop a better understanding
of students as learners and give students a voice in the classroom.

Do they support the need for the study? Yes.

Author's Inquiry Questions - When teachers engage in action research, do they go beyond reflection and become more mindful of the students they teach?

Author's Methodology - Teachers formulated the questions, surveyed students, distributed questionnaires and surveys, analyzed results and reflected on implications.

Who is being studied? Teachers in an M.Ed program enrolled in a research class

Over what length of time? Over the period of the course (probably a semester)

What data is being collected? Teacher's final research reports

How is it being analyzed? No formal analysis is given, only observations

Other pertinent data - Action research has tremendous potential for encouraging teachers to

uncover and implement new and different ways to communicate with their students and fully involve them in curricular and pedagogical decision making

How the author collected information - Teachers conducted their own research, then submitted it at the end of the course to the author

What the author discovered or conclusions/implications - Teachers found that through action research they got to know their students, their learning styles, and preferences for classroom activities. Teachers were able to modify their instruction, and found that instruction/learning was more effective. Careful reading of the final reports identified including the child in the curriculum as a significant outcome of the final research results.