Engaging Classrooms

I like the idea of action research.  The fact that the research is done by the people the study most effects is the best part of it.  This also makes the outcome of the research more relevant than a broad research project done by an outside person.

One of the areas our district would like to improve in is creating more engaging classrooms.  On my campus we have several teachers that are hesitant about turning the classroom over to the students and letting them take ownership of their learning, thus being more engaged.  In my opinion the main reason teachers are hesitant is a lack of training in creating student-driven lessons and how to mange a classroom during student-driven lessons. 

After a discussion with my campus principal we decided the most relevant action research study for our campus would be how to create more engaging classrooms.  The proposed action research study is listed below.

 

Proposed Action Research Study:

Why are teachers hesitant  to implement student-driven lessons that are more engaging, opposed to teacher-driven lessons?  What prevents teachers from being able to create student-driven lessons and creating an engaging classroom?

Who will benefit from research:

1.      Teachers – the concerns of the teachers will be identified through the research and then addressed in the proposed plan of action.  The desired result is for the teachers to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to be able to create and implement student-driven lessons.  Also, one of the intended outcomes is for individual teachers to be able to identify areas of weakness and fears so they will know what they need to improve in order to increase the level of engagement in their classrooms.

2.      Administrators – will gain be able to identify the type of staff-development needed to help the teachers create student-driven lessons and in turn increasing the level of engagement.

3.      Students – will be in more engaging classrooms and participating in student-driven lessons in all subject areas.  As they participate in the student-driven lessons, the students will learn critical thinking and problem solving skills they can use in everyday life.