research design
Action Research is a cyclical process that puts you the researcher at the center of the action research. Action research involves the key steps of planning, acting, observing, analyzing, and reflecting. Upon reflection of the first cycle, the action researcher can devise a new action plan based on reflection and findings of the first cycle. Action researchers repeat these steps for continual progression and improvement in his/her workplace and/or environment.
In designing my Action Research on social media in the classroom, I had to decide on what were key factors for me and how I planned on making the changes that I perceived necessary. I wanted to understand and experience if and how social media could make a difference in the classroom in how the students utilized its power to leverage their learning, communicating, and contributing to the class. I wanted to take this opportunity to make a change, a real change, a sort of evolution in my workplace, for the better.
To pull this off, I had to employ the help of my students. They were not the subjects, but part of the research. My Action Research was a joint venture between my students and myself and the progression of the new Digital Media class I would be teaching. We went through the steps of gathering data, analyzing it, planning action, taking action, evaluating action, etc… jointly. They were not always aware that they were doing these things, but all members of the class joined me on this journey in one form or another.
In designing my Action Research on social media in the classroom, I had to decide on what were key factors for me and how I planned on making the changes that I perceived necessary. I wanted to understand and experience if and how social media could make a difference in the classroom in how the students utilized its power to leverage their learning, communicating, and contributing to the class. I wanted to take this opportunity to make a change, a real change, a sort of evolution in my workplace, for the better.
To pull this off, I had to employ the help of my students. They were not the subjects, but part of the research. My Action Research was a joint venture between my students and myself and the progression of the new Digital Media class I would be teaching. We went through the steps of gathering data, analyzing it, planning action, taking action, evaluating action, etc… jointly. They were not always aware that they were doing these things, but all members of the class joined me on this journey in one form or another.
research question
How do I improve student engagement and accountability in the classroom using social media as the main form of communication and collaboration?