Field Study 2

Learning Episode Number 19

Writing an Initial Action Research Plan

To have a meaningful and successful accomplishment in this final FS episode, be sure

to read through the whole episode before participating and assisting in your FS 2 Resource
Teacher’s class. Note all the information you will need and tasks you will need to do before
working on this episode.

Target Your Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this Learning Episode, I must be able to write an initial Action Research
Plan.

Clarify Your Task

Developing an Initial Action Research Plan
“A good plan is half of the work done” goes a saying.

Planning is an important skill that every teacher should have. Just like lesson planning,
doing research requires a doable plan. It sets a direction where one is going, how to go there,
why should one go there, and above all, what is there to accomplish.
The ultimate goal of doing action research is to improve teacher’s practices in order to
improve learning. It requires one to be reflective, observant, inquiring and must be ready to
take action.
Any research action plan should be placed in writing, just like a lesson plan. This is
what we are going to do.

Clarify Your Task

The first four episodes of this FS workbook helped you learn the important purpose
and the process involved in doing action research.
 The rest of the episodes focused on crucial aspects of teaching and learning. While
you assisted and participated, the episode questions guided you to notice, analyze and reflect
on your experiences. You also identified issues and problems or areas of improvement and
then thought of interventions, innovations, or strategies to address them (Action Research
Prompts). You are now ready elaborate or expand these action research prompts.
In this final episode, your task is to write an initial action research plan. Any research
action plan should be planned and written well. Put together what you learned about action
research and all the insights you gained in working on the past FS 2 episodes.

Revisit the Infographic/s

Let us revisit our Action Research Model. As a beginner, use the model of Nelson, O
(2014) as your basis for developing an initial plan for action research.

Plan Act

The Action
Research
Cycle

Observ
Reflect
e

As you become more skillful in doing action research, you may like to use the McNiff
& Whitehead (2014) or Deped DO 16 (2017) models.

ACTION RESEARCH COMPONENTS

 Context and Rationale
1. Why am I doing this research?
2. What is the background of any action
research?
3. What do I hope to achieve?
Action Research Questions
What problem/question am I
trying to solve?

Action Research Methods Proposed Innovation, Intervention and

1. Who are to participate? (my
students, peer, myself)
2. What are my sources of
information (participants)
3. What shall I gather information
4. How will I analyze my data /
information?
Strategy
1. What do I plan as a solution to the
problem I identified? (Describe.)
2. What innovation will I introduce to solve
the problem? (Describe.)
3. What strategy should I introduce?
(Describe.)

Action Research Work Plan and Timelines Cost Estimates

1. What should my work plan containe? (tragets, Action Research Cost - Consider
activities, persons involved, timeline, cost) also the maximum cost if
2. How long will I conduct my intervention? (For externally funded like Deped,
reliable results 8 to 12 weeks) LGU's, NGO or personal

Plans for Dissemination and

References
What reading materials and
references are included in my
review of literature?
Utilization 1.How will I share
the result of my action
research? (Publish, Present,
Flyers, LAC sessions)
2. Can I collaborate with other
teachers to continue or
replicate my study?
Participate and Assist
We said at the beginning that all teachers can make an Action Research. It is easy to
do it. Let’s try doing it. Today, you shall develop a Plan for our Action Research by following
the simple cycle.

Use the following steps of the model. Your answer to the Key Questions in each step,
will guide you in making your plan.

Step 1: OBSERVE. Observe and notice to identify the common problems.

Key questions:
 What common problem have I observed and noticed?
 Can I translate the problem into questions?
 Why is the problem important to me as future teacher?
 Why is the problem important to the learners?
 What have I read and learned about this problem in my previous courses?
 What do references say about the problem?

Step 2: REFLECT. Start to reflect on the identified problem. However, reflection is

done all throughout the action research process.
Key questions:
 Is there a way to solve the identified problem? How will I do it?
 Is looking for a solution or answer to the problem worth doing?
 Will solving the problem improve my teaching practice? How?
 Will it improve my skill as a researcher and reflective teacher?

Step 3: PLAN FOR ACTION. Appropriate action or solution to the problem in a plan.
Key questions:
 What probable action will I make? Will my intervention be doable?
 How will I describe my intervention, innovation, or actions to address the
identified problem?
  How long will it take to implement the intervention, action or innovation?
 With whom shall I work with?
 Will the result be of use? How?

Step 4: ACT on the PLAN. This step will be done during the Teaching Internship or in
FS 2 if given the time. You may collaborate with your mentor or your classmate.
Key questions:

Notice
Remember: Noticing is making sense of your observations and making interpretation to
adapt to the situation. It begins with paying attention that leads to interpretation and deciding
what action should be taken.

Making a capsule Action Research Plan will prepare you to undertake an actual Action
Research. You will also be able to assist your mentor to do similar research together.

In the past episodes focusing on the key aspects of teaching and learning, you have
answered the Action Research Writing prompts. Go back to these, and choose which episode
topic you would like to work on as you write an action research plan.

Episode Title Action Research Remarks

Writing Prompts
Page
1 The Teacher We Remember 7 /
2 Embedding Action Research for Reflective Teaching 15 /
3 Understanding AR Concepts, Processes and Models 26 /
4 Matching Problematic Learning Situation with 34 *
Probable Action
5 Preparing the Learning Environment: An Overview 40 /
6 Enhancing a Face-to-Face Learning Environment 46 /
 7 Making Online or Virtual Learning Environment 55 X
Safe and Conducive
8 Establishing My Own Classroom Routines and 62 /
Procedures in a Face-to-Face / Remote Learning
(uploaded 11/6/22)
9 Creating My Classroom / Remote Learning 71 /
Management Plan
(uploaded 11/6/22)
10 Writing My Learning / Lesson Plans 82
11 Delivering My Lessons 94
12 Selecting Non-Digital or Conventional Resources 107
and Instructional Materials
13 Utilizing Applications (Apps) for Teaching and 118
Learning
14 Utilizing Learning Management Systems 129
15 Utilizing Web-Conferencing Apps for Synchronous 140 X
E-Learning
16 Assessing FOR, AS and OF Learning 149
17 Using Traditional and Authentic Types of 161 X
Assessment for Formative and Summative Purposes
18 Grading and Reporting 171 X
19 Writing an Initial Action Research Plan

Analyze
We said at the beginning that all teachers could make an Action Research. It is easy to
do it. Let’s try doing it. Today, you shall develop a Plan for our Action Research by following
the simple cycle. You will share your output with your mentor for an opportunity to work
together.
 Topic you chose: (from the past episodes)
_____________________________________________________________________
Episode number and Title:
_____________________________________________________________________
Writing Action Research Prompt page:
______________________________________

Model A:

Activity 1: Developing an Initial Research Action Plan

A. Observe / Notice
What problem/concern have I noticed that affect teaching-learning?
Example response: The problem I have noticed is that there is a lot of competition in
the classroom. The slow learners are left behind.
 Write your own observed/noticed classroom problem here:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

B. Reflect
Think deeply of the problem and your observation. Why is this happening? Can the
slow learners be helped? How will it be done?
Example response: I think most of the activities are very competitive. There are
always, winners and losers. The smart students overrule the poor students thus often
 they continue to be losers. With this situation, I believe, that I should modify my
classroom strategy.
 Write your reflective response to the problem you stated:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

C. Plan for Action

Key questions:
- What will I do as a teacher to solve the problem?

- How will I describe my intervention, innovation, or actions to the identified

problem?

- How long will I take to introduce the intervention?

- With whom shall I work?

 - What materials do I need?

- Are methods, participants, data collection, time table considered in my Plan for
Action?

Example response: My plan is to introduce cooperative learning in the classroom. I

create a mixed ablity grouping with fast, average and slow learners in their activities. I
will rotate the leadership in the group, so that each one will have a chance. The bright
will assist or help the slow ones. I will try this out for eight weeks. I think I can work
alone with my students. I need only tables and chairs or if not available, arm chairs
arranged in circles will be an alternative.

 Write your own Plan of Action Research based on the key questions. You give
more details.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

D. References
Include the least 3 reading materials about the intervention that will be used.
Example response
List of Readings for Cooperative Learning
 1. C. Brame & Biel, R. (2015). Group work: Using cooperative learning groups
effectively. http://cft.vanderbilt.rdu/guidelines-sub-pages
2. G. Palmer. (2017). Cooperative learning-Instructional Methods, Strategies, and
Technologies. Granite pressbooks. pb.Chap.7
3. D. Johnson & R. Johnson. (2017). Cooperative learning. University of Minnesota,
USA.
 Enter your own reading list
1. _____________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________

E. Act (Implementation of the Action Research Plan)

Note: The implementation of the Plan will follow when time allows. A more detailed
Research Action Plan will be required. The McNiff and Whitehead (2014) of Deped
(2016) models may be used depending on the advice of your mentor.

Now, to further elaborate on your Action Research Plan, use the Deped template
below: Remember to read the rubric in this episode to know how your teacher will evaluate
your Action Research Plan. This rubric will remind you of the criteria for an excellent action
research plan.

You can also watch this short video, explaining the parts of the Deped Action research
template: HOW TO WRITE AN ACTION RESEARCH PROPOSAL? Deped Order No. 16.
s.2017 – Youtube.

Here is the link of the sample proposal discussed in the video:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344608953 Improving Attendance and
Academic Performance Among Grade 12 Students through Incentive-Based Intervention.
Model B: Deped Template

Action Research Proposal

Name:
Proposed Title:

I. Context and Rationale (Study Background)

II. Action Research Question (AR Questions)

III. Proposed Innovation, Intervention, Strategy (Describe

Innovation/Intervention/Strategy)

IV. Action Research Methods (Describe Action Research Methods)

a. Participants / Other Sources of Data
b. Data Gathering Methods
c. Data Analysis Plan

V. Action Research Work Plan (Summarize Action Research Work Plan)

VI. Cost Estimate (Write cost estimate)

VII. Plan for Dissemination and Utilization (Describe how the results will be shared)

VIII. References (Write at least three references.)

Reflect
Remember: Reflection is a process of making sense of one’s previous experience. Please take
a look at what you do in the classroom, and think about why you do it. Recall things that you
have done in the previous segment. You may include your thoughts, feelings, reasoning,
relating and reconstructions about it.

What was your experience in writing the action research plan?

What knowledge, attitude and skills did you have that helped you accomplished?

What do you still need to learn and develop in yourself to be a skilled teacher-researcher?
Check for Mastery
Preparimg an Action Research Plan requires observation, noticing, inquiry, reflection,
prior readings. It is a tedious process but you will find it easy to implement if you have a good
plan. As mentioned earlier “A good plan, is half of the work done.”

Direction: Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given.
1. As a beginning action researcher, what should be your primary task?
A. Identify the problem that is a cause of concern in the class.
B. Reflect on the other problematic situations.
C. Ask help from your mentor on how to solve the problem.
D. Disregard the problem, after all you are still a student.
2. In doing action research, continuous reflection in every step of the way should be done.
A. This statement is NOT true since reflection has its own time.
B. This statement is true since research requires continuous inquiry.
C. This statement is doubtful since there are steps to follow.
D. This statement is only applicable to other kinds of research.
3. In looking for an appropriate solution to the identified problem, the main purpose is to
_____.
A. remove malpractices in teaching-learning
B. reward learners who do more than others
C. promote teachers who conduct research
D. A, B and C.
4. In an action research, you should see to it that the intervention _____.
A. is doable
B. is new
C. is of short duration
D. should not require statistics
5. Planning an action research requires a researcher to _____.
 A. follow strict procedure
B. frequently reflect on the process
C. match the soluton to the identified problem
D. A, B and C

Work on my Artifacts
Your artifact will be taken from your activity in preparing an action research plan in
this episode. You will just expand the answer that you have given and place in the template
below.

My Initial Action Research Plan

Proposed Title:
_______________________________________________________________

I. My Identified Problem:

II. My Reflection about the Problem

III. My Plan of Action

References:
Submitted by:

Name: ______________________________ Degree Pursued: _______________

Name of Institution: ___________________________________ SY _______________

JOB WELL DONE!

Remember, in the succeeding episodes, you will be reflecting back on how you can conduct
an Action Research in the different topics that you will be able to participate and assist. Good
luck to all. Enjoy your journey to becoming a Reflective Teacher Practitioner!