Action Research

Archived Action Research Resources
Archived Lesson Study Links

Action Research is reflection and inquiry conducted by educators who want to improve what they do and how they do it, and aims to make research methods useful on a daily basis in the classroom and the school
Participants examine their own practice, systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research. Action research is an effective way for teachers to learn because teachers explore topics related to their work and in which they already have an interest.
Using the techniques of research, teachers draft questions, collect data, analyze data, and act on what they learn. Unlike traditional forms of research, action research is more responsive to the discoveries that researchers make along the way. That means action researchers must be flexible and willing to follow their questions wherever the information takes them.

Recommended Websites

Action Research: Taking Stock Action Research, an alternative to traditional educational research, "helps educators to reflect on their practice, collect data about their practice, and create alternative ways to improve their practice"

Action Research sources This university-supported site has lots of information about action research, including an on-line international refereed journal, abstracts and in some instances complete copies of relevant theses and dissertations, a 14-week introductory course offered by email, and a selection of links.

Lesson Lab LessonLab offers software, services, and research to support the development and implementation of high-quality professional learning programs.

Lesson study
Lesson study is a professional development activity used by Japanese elementary-and middle-school teachers. Teachers work together to create lessons, observe each other as the lessons are tried out in real classrooms, then refine their work. Researchers compare the work to quality circles -- a cycle of establishing long term goals, measuring each piece of work against those goals, and then making changes.
Lesson study begins by teachers agreeing on an important goal that they want to achieve with their students. The group then carefully plans actual lessons, which serve as a concrete way to explore the chosen study goal. One or more teachers teach the lesson in a real classroom while others observe. Finally, the teachers revise and re-teach the lesson based on the group's observations and discussions of the trial instruction.

MathStar Lesson Study Project Includes Video of the Fall 2001 round of lessons, documents for preparing and evaluating lessons, and shedules of individual school sites participating in Lesson Study.

Lesson Study - A Japanese strategy that may hold the most promise for transforming schools into learning communities for teachers and students.

The Lesson Study Research Group web site provides information, resources, and networking opportunities to U.S. educators who are interested in learning more about lesson study. This group, together with hosts the the School Renewal Web Center, Lesson Study discussion forum and the Lesson Study listserv.

School Renewal WebCenter--Featured Strategy: Lesson Study A Teacher Development Program based on Stigler and Hiebert's The Teaching Gap and staff development resources. Features Video Interview with Jan Gabay and other short videos of teachers engaged in Lesson Study activities.

Direct comments to: mibrown@nmsu.edu

Archived Action Research Resources Archived Lesson Study Links
Action Research is reflection and inquiry conducted by educators who want to improve what they do and how they do it, and aims to make research methods useful on a daily basis in the classroom and the school Participants examine their own practice, systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research. Action research is an effective way for teachers to learn because teachers explore topics related to their work and in which they already have an interest. Using the techniques of research, teachers draft questions, collect data, analyze data, and act on what they learn. Unlike traditional forms of research, action research is more responsive to the discoveries that researchers make along the way. That means action researchers must be flexible and willing to follow their questions wherever the information takes them.
Recommended Websites
	Action Research: Taking Stock Action Research, an alternative to traditional educational research, "helps educators to reflect on their practice, collect data about their practice, and create alternative ways to improve their practice"
	Action Research sources This university-supported site has lots of information about action research, including an on-line international refereed journal, abstracts and in some instances complete copies of relevant theses and dissertations, a 14-week introductory course offered by email, and a selection of links.
	Lesson Lab LessonLab offers software, services, and research to support the development and implementation of high-quality professional learning programs.
Lesson study Lesson study is a professional development activity used by Japanese elementary-and middle-school teachers. Teachers work together to create lessons, observe each other as the lessons are tried out in real classrooms, then refine their work. Researchers compare the work to quality circles -- a cycle of establishing long term goals, measuring each piece of work against those goals, and then making changes. Lesson study begins by teachers agreeing on an important goal that they want to achieve with their students. The group then carefully plans actual lessons, which serve as a concrete way to explore the chosen study goal. One or more teachers teach the lesson in a real classroom while others observe. Finally, the teachers revise and re-teach the lesson based on the group's observations and discussions of the trial instruction.
	MathStar Lesson Study Project Includes Video of the Fall 2001 round of lessons, documents for preparing and evaluating lessons, and shedules of individual school sites participating in Lesson Study.
	Lesson Study - A Japanese strategy that may hold the most promise for transforming schools into learning communities for teachers and students.
	The Lesson Study Research Group web site provides information, resources, and networking opportunities to U.S. educators who are interested in learning more about lesson study. This group, together with hosts the the School Renewal Web Center, Lesson Study discussion forum and the Lesson Study listserv.
	School Renewal WebCenter--Featured Strategy: Lesson Study A Teacher Development Program based on Stigler and Hiebert's The Teaching Gap and staff development resources. Features Video Interview with Jan Gabay and other short videos of teachers engaged in Lesson Study activities.