REFLECTION
HOW ACTION RESEARCH HAS IMPACTED STUDENT LEARNING:
The action research conducted in my fourth grade classroom positively impacted student learning. Prior to my research, students were not taking notes during social studies instruction. The lack of note taking was due to the fact that students did not fully understand how to take notes and students did not enjoy writing information down. The amount of work note taking required was not appealing to my students. Students felt confident with the guided notes as they were not expected to record full concepts in their own words. As the outlining process began, confidence levels began to drop. My students originally thought that note taking required writing every piece of information down. After a gradual release of responsibility with the outlining method, students began to have a firm grasp on only recording the most important information, or the main idea. Throughout the research process, students were presented with multiple opportunities to identify the main ideas and details within a passage in order to determine what to record in their notes. The ability to identify main idea and details are not only necessary for note taking, but also for reading comprehension. By the end of my action research, even my lowest readers were able to sort through the content and record the most important information. The ability to identify main idea and details is a skill that students will need to possess throughout their continued education. My students will also need to be able to effectively take notes as they progress through middle school, high school, and college. As my students have been presented with multiple modes of taking notes, they will now be able to refine their preferred method to best suit their needs as they move forward in their education.
The process of action research also provided my students with the knowledge that productive struggle is necessary for growth. Throughout the research process, each student experienced times of success and times of struggle. The times of struggle were typically when students became tired of the amount of writing necessary for note taking. Although the process was not always smooth and enjoyable, students were able to recognize at the end that the methods did increase their understanding and success. As my students move forward, they know that what is beneficial for them as learners is not always easy or enjoyable at first, but with practice can greatly enhance success.
The process of action research also provided my students with the knowledge that productive struggle is necessary for growth. Throughout the research process, each student experienced times of success and times of struggle. The times of struggle were typically when students became tired of the amount of writing necessary for note taking. Although the process was not always smooth and enjoyable, students were able to recognize at the end that the methods did increase their understanding and success. As my students move forward, they know that what is beneficial for them as learners is not always easy or enjoyable at first, but with practice can greatly enhance success.
HOW ACTION RESEARCH HAS IMPACTED CURRENT TEACHING:
Based on the positive results of my action research, I have continued to require my students to take notes during social studies instruction. I have highly encouraged my students to experiment with different elements of note taking such as highlighting once they feel confident in the basics. I have been sure to intentionally plan social studies instruction as taking notes requires a decent amount of time. Throughout my action research, I noticed students who greatly excelled in the process of taking notes. As a result of those observations, I now pair students up based on note taking abilities in hopes that students will be able to support each other in refining their personal methods.
Throughout the research, my students were exposed to note taking and graphic organizers multiple times as well as the language that goes with them. Now that my students are familiar with guided notes, the outlining method, and the Cornell method, I am able to incorporate that language into other content areas. A reading strategy that is highly focused on is asking and answering questions. I was able to present a connection to the Cornell method for the students as they were expected to ask and answer questions throughout the process of utilizing this organizer. I continue to reference back to the note taking and graphic organizer throughout other subjects so that students could understand that what they had worked hard on assisted them in other subjects as well.
Throughout the research, my students were exposed to note taking and graphic organizers multiple times as well as the language that goes with them. Now that my students are familiar with guided notes, the outlining method, and the Cornell method, I am able to incorporate that language into other content areas. A reading strategy that is highly focused on is asking and answering questions. I was able to present a connection to the Cornell method for the students as they were expected to ask and answer questions throughout the process of utilizing this organizer. I continue to reference back to the note taking and graphic organizer throughout other subjects so that students could understand that what they had worked hard on assisted them in other subjects as well.
HOW ACTION RESEARCH HAS IMPACTED PROFESSIONAL GROWTH:
Conducting action research contributed to my growth as a professional as I have become more confident in my abilities to identify a need in my classroom. Additionally, I will look to research to find strategies, implement strategies, and analyze data to address improvement of instruction. I am now comfortable taking risks within my classroom due to the improved achievement in social studies. The possibility of a strategy not working is no longer a fear of mine as I realize action research is not exhaustive. Additionally, there is endless research to support the needs in my classroom. There are always new strategies to try when I am struggling to address the needs of my students. The process of conducting action research gave me the opportunity to share new learnings with my grade level team in our professional learning community. Further, I feel comfortable contributing to professional development conversations within my district. My confidence in being an educator and a contributing member of my school has grown greatly as I have been able to express the success of the strategies implemented within my classroom.
WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED AND QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN:
Action research taught me valuable lessons in being an effective teacher. I learned that action research is being conducted each day in the classroom. Whether I recognize it or not, I am constantly identifying the needs of my students. I now realize that once a need is identified, I must turn to research to compile strategies that have proven to be successful. I then must implement those strategies and gather and analyze data to identify effectiveness. I also learned that when implementing action research, I need to be flexible. Some students required more time than others when first introduced to the strategies. It was vital for me to provide that time in order for students to get a firm grasp on the process.
I also learned more about my students and their attitudes when being introduced to new concepts. I learned that some of my students greatly struggled with confidence, which was not as apparent until expected to independently record notes. This was a need I had not planned for; however, I quickly increased encouragement as students were being successful. Originally, I was concerned about students having the stamina to take notes each day; however, I learned that my positivity about the process greatly affected the students’ willingness to put forth their best effort.
Although much was learned, questions still remain. Was the success of my students based on the note taking methods themselves or simply the continuous exposure to content? Will my students continue to use these methods as they move on to fifth grade? Would other note taking methods and organizers have been as successful?
I also learned more about my students and their attitudes when being introduced to new concepts. I learned that some of my students greatly struggled with confidence, which was not as apparent until expected to independently record notes. This was a need I had not planned for; however, I quickly increased encouragement as students were being successful. Originally, I was concerned about students having the stamina to take notes each day; however, I learned that my positivity about the process greatly affected the students’ willingness to put forth their best effort.
Although much was learned, questions still remain. Was the success of my students based on the note taking methods themselves or simply the continuous exposure to content? Will my students continue to use these methods as they move on to fifth grade? Would other note taking methods and organizers have been as successful?
WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, MODIFIED, OR REFINED IN THE FUTURE:
I plan on implementing these strategies in my future teaching; however, some changes will need to be made. I will begin introducing the note taking strategies and graphic organizers at the beginning of the year. This way, students will have more time to practice the methods and determine which one would work best for them. Once students have chosen the method that they prefer, they will have the rest of the year to practice using that method and refining it to meet their needs. I will also introduce more of the methods researched in my literature review. I want to provide my students with a wide variety of options as there are a wide variety of students and learning styles.
Another change that will be made next year will be the mode of the note taking. My class will be one-to-one which will provide a great opportunity for my students to practice taking notes using technology. This is the method that students will most likely be using throughout their education, so it would be beneficial for them to be exposed early.
Another change that will be made next year will be the mode of the note taking. My class will be one-to-one which will provide a great opportunity for my students to practice taking notes using technology. This is the method that students will most likely be using throughout their education, so it would be beneficial for them to be exposed early.
HOW FUTURE THINKING, BEHAVING, AND INTERACTING WILL BE IMPACTED AND/OR CHANGED:
In the future, I will continually be searching for research-supported strategies to meet the needs demonstrated within my classroom. My mind will not only resort to asking fellow teachers for advice, but I will also have the confidence to search for solutions on my own. Not only will I be able to search for strategies and implement them, I will also be more comfortable in sharing my findings with other professionals.
HOW ACTION RESEARCH WILL IMPACT FUTURE TEACHING:
Conducting action research has provided me with the experience I need to be able to replicate the process in the future. In my future teaching, I will be intentional in collecting data to identify student needs in the classroom. Once a need is identified, I will be quick to turn to research-based strategies and begin implementing as soon as possible. As strategies are being implemented, I will collect multiple forms of data to be analyzed in order to identify the effectiveness of the strategies. Moving forward, I will be more confident in my abilities to meet the needs of my students through the implementation of research based strategies. If strategies are successful, I will continue use. If not, I will turn back to research and begin again. Action research also provides me with a strong foundation to be able to contribute as a professional within my school and district.