LEARNING EPISODE Writing an

19
Initial Action
Research Plan
To have a meaningful and successful accomplishment in this FS episode, be sure to
read through the whole episode before participating and assisting in you 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 insights you gained in working on the past FS 2 episodes.

Revisits the Infographics/s

 Let us revisits 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

Reflect Observe

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 my action research?
3. What do I hope to achieve? Action Research Questions

What problem/question am I trying to

solve?

Proposed Innovation,
Intervention, and 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? Action Research Methods
(Describe.)
1. Who are to participate? (my students,
peers, myself) 2. What ae my sources of
information? (participants) 3. How shall I
gather information? 4. How will I
analyze my date/information?

Action Research Work Plan and

Timelines
1. What should my work plan contain?
(Targets, activities, persons involved,
timeline, cost)

2. How long will I conduct my intervention?

(For reliable results to 8 to 12 weeks) Cost Estimate
Action Research Cost- (consider also the
maximum cost if externally founded like
DepEd, LGU’s NGO or personal)

Plans for Dissemination and

Utilization
1. How will I share the result of my action
research? (Publish, present, flyers, LAC
sessions)
References
2. Can I collaborate with other teachers to
continue or replicate my study? What reading materials and
references are included in my review
of literature?

Based on Dep Ed Order no. 16

s.2017

Participate and Assist

We said at the beginning that all teachers can make an Action Research. It is easy to
do it. Lets 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 a 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 referenced 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.

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.
Here are the episodes and the pages where you can find them. Review each Action
Research Writing Prompt and choose one to work on to elaborate in these episode.
Action
Episode Title Research
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 Probable Action 34
5 Preparing the Learning Environment: An Overview 40
6 Enhancing a Face-to-Face Learning Environment 46
7 Making On-Line or Virtual learning Environment Safe and 55
Conducive
8 Establishing My own Classroom Routines and Procedures in a 62
Face-to-Face/Remote Learning
9 Creating My Classroom/Remote Learning Management Plan 71
10 Writing My Learning/Lesson Plans 82
11 Delivering My Lessons 94
12 Selecting Non-digital or Conventional Resources and Instructional 107
Materials
13 utilizing Applications (Apps) for Teaching and Learning 118
14 Utilizing Learning Management Systems 129
15 Utilizing Web-Conferencing Apps for Synchronous E-Learning 140
16 Assessing FOR, AS and OF Learning 149
17 Using Traditional and Authentic Types of Assessment for 161
Formative and Summative
18 Grading and Reporting 171
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 sample cycle. You will share your output 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?
 Examples 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 or 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 be

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 tables considered

in my Plan for Action?

Example response: my plan is to introduce cooperative learning in the classroom. I create a

mixed ability 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 out for eight weeks. I think I can work alone in 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 at least 3 reading materials about the intervention that will be used.
Example response
List of Readings for Cooperative Learning
1. C. Brame & Beil , R. (2015) Group work; Using cooperate learning groups
effectively. http://cft.vanderbilt.rdu/guides-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 Dep Ed
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. Proposal Innovation, Intervention Strategy Describe

Innovation/Intervention/Strategy

IV. Action Research Methods (Describe Action Research Methods)

a. Participants/Other sources of Data
b. Data Gathering Method
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 accomplish it?

What do you still need to learn and develop in yourself to be a skilled teacher-
researcher?

Check for Mastery

Preparing an Action 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 teacher who conduct research
D. A, B, and C
4. In an action research, you should see it that the intervention ________.
A. Is doable C. is of short duration
B. Is new D. should not require statistic
5. Planning an action research require researcher to __________.
A. Follow strict procedure
 B. Frequently reflect on the process
C. Match the solution 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
Reflection Teacher Practitioner!

Rubric for Action Research Proposal

Encircle the number that corresponds to your rating.
Criteria Key questions 4 3 2 1
Excellent Very Satisfactory Satisfactory Needs
Improvement
Context and Why am I doing 4 3 2 1
Rationale and this? 2 what is the The importance of The importance of The importance of The importance of
Action Research background of my the researcher was the research is the research is the research is not
Question action research? clearly explained explained mentioned. given.
What problem/ and addressed.
question am I One major issue
trying to solve? was identified.

The action
research problem
logically proceeds
from the context
and rationale.
Proposed 1. What do I plan 4 3 2 1
Innovation, as a solution to the The purpose, The purpose, The purpose, Proposed
Intervention problem I extent, and extent, and extent, and innovation/
Strategy identified? limitations of the limitations of the limitations of the intervention/
(Describe.) proposed solution/ proposed solution/ proposed solution/ strategy are not
2. What innovation innovation/ innovation/ innovation/ presented.
will I introduce to intervention. intervention/ intervention/
solve the problem? Strategy is clearly Strategy is stated. strategy is
(Describe.) described. incomplete
3. What strategy
should I introduce?
(Describe.)

Action Research Plan Action 4 3 2 1

Methods Research The action Description of the Description of The action
1. Who are to research methods participants and research methods, research methods
participate? (my are suited to the data gathering and participants, and are not described.
students, peers, nature and analysis is data gathering and
myself) purposes of the complete. analysis methods
2. What are my research. are incomplete.
sources of Description of the
information? participants and
(participants) data gathering and
4. How will I analysis are clear
analyze my data/ and complete.
information?
Action Research 1. What should my 4 3 2 1
Work Plan/Cost work plan contain? Targets, activities, Descriptions Descriptions of Descriptions of
(targets, activities, persons involved, targets, activities, targets, activities, targets, activities,
persons involved, timeline, and cost persons involved, persons involved, persons involved,
timeline, cost) 2. are realistic and timeline, and cost timeline, and cost timeline, and cost
How long will I are described are not described are not complete. are primarily
conduct my clearly. clearly. missing.
intervention/ (for
example result 8 to
12 weeks
Literature Review 1. what reading 4 3 2 1
and References materials and Has 2-3 references Has 2-3 References are not No references
reference are which are all references, but not sufficient. indicated.
included in my academically all are
review of literature appropriate and academically
relevant to the appropriate and
action research relevant to the
problem. action research
problem.

Total score

TRANSMUTATION OF SCORE TO GRADE/RATING

Score 20 19-18 17 16 15 14 13-12 11 10 9-8 7-below
Grade 1.0 1.25 1.5 1.75 2.00 2.25 2.50 2.75 3.00 3.5 5.00
99 96 93 90 87 84 81 78 75 72 71-Below

____________________________________________
Signature of FS Teacher above Printed Name