As a passionate game design teacher, I'm excited to share insights into action research, a powerful tool for enhancing our educational practices. This blog post will delve into the stages and steps of action research, its integration into our curriculum, and prepare me for creating my Action Research Outline.
Understanding Action Research: Stages and Challenges
Action research involves a cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting to improve educational strategies.
It consists of 4 stages and 9 steps
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Planning
- Identifying and limiting the topic
- Gathering information
- Reviewing the related literature
- Developing a research plan
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Acting
- Implementing the plan and collecting data
- Analyzing the data
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Developing
- Developing an action plan
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Reflecting
- Sharing and communicating the results
- Reflecting on the process
The most challenging step is often identifying and limiting the topic. In game design education, narrowing down the focus to a specific, manageable research question requires careful consideration of various factors such as student needs, curriculum goals, and available resources.
Completing the Action Research Process
I will primarily focus on the initial stages of planning and acting. Steps like gathering information and reviewing literature are foundational. I have gained some valuable insights, and you can too with resources provided in the Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators textbook.
Reflecting on the stages and steps we can complete within this course, we will focus on planning, acting, and beginning the development phase. Full implementation and reflection will be part of our capstone project in 5320, where we will present our results in detailed reports and engaging presentations.
Integrating Knowledge from Other Courses
Other courses have laid a solid foundation for the Gathering Information step. Skills acquired in courses focused on research methodologies, data analysis, and educational technology are crucial. For instance, understanding statistical tools and software for data collection and analysis is essential for making informed decisions based on empirical evidence.
Professional Reflection: Enhancing Educator Effectiveness
Professional reflection, a cornerstone of action research, transforms educators into lifelong learners. By continuously reflecting on our teaching practices and student outcomes, we can identify areas for improvement and implement changes that lead to better educational experiences. This reflective practice fosters a culture of continuous improvement, making us more effective educators.
Action Research vs. Traditional Research
Action research differs from traditional research in its practical, iterative approach and focus on immediate application within the classroom. While traditional research often aims at generating theoretical knowledge, action research seeks to solve specific problems through direct intervention. This distinction is vital as it aligns research activities with practical educational goals, ensuring that findings are directly applicable to improving teaching and learning outcomes.
Defining and Measuring Research Focus
In the context of game design education, determining the precise focus of research can be challenging. For instance, measuring the impact of a new game design curriculum on student engagement and learning outcomes involves identifying key variables and behaviors to monitor. The Influencer model's focus on vital behaviors and the 4DX framework distinction between lag and lead measures provide useful strategies for this process.
Reflecting on my progress, my driving research question is:
"What is the impact of incorporating collaborative game design projects on student engagement and problem-solving skills in our game design curriculum?"
To answer this question, data collection will involve a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, including student surveys, project assessments, and observational studies.
Current Research Progress and Future Steps
At this stage, I am gathering preliminary data and refining my research question. My goal is to measure the impact of collaborative projects on student outcomes. This involves collecting data on student engagement, creativity, and problem-solving skills through surveys, project assessments, and classroom observations.
For a detailed look at my research journey, check out my Learning Manifesto, where I outline my educational philosophy and goals. Additionally, my Literature Review provides a comprehensive analysis of existing research that informs my action research project and will be instrumental in me completing my Action Research Design Outline.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey of action research in game design education is both exciting and transformative. By engaging in this reflective practice, we not only improve our teaching methods but also contribute to the broader field of educational research. I encourage all educators to delve into action research and share their findings, fostering a collaborative environment where we continuously learn from each other.
References:
Mertler, C. A. (2020). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators (6th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
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