Research is not always what in a white coat.
Action research is any systematic inquiry conducted by educators for the purpose of gathering information about how their particular schools operate, how they teach, and how their students learn (Mertler, 2020).
When I started the DLL program, my goal was to create a plan and fulfill it based on the information I previously researched while completing my literature review. My innovation plan to implement project-based learning bridged with design thinking is what I consider an opportunity to expose students to experiences that would allow them to connect, create designs and work towards a solution.
Bridging PBL and DT into the 21st-century classroom framework can help change the behaviors and beliefs of teachers and students alike. In the workforce, employees are generally working on some form of project-based assignment that requires employees to think beyond themselves. Consideration for this should also take place in the classroom.
The social and emotional piece of learning in design thinking allows students to have a deeper understanding of their creation. Students also realize that seeing things from a different perspective allows them to see something more substantial than themselves. Empathic design awaits designers to be aware and sensitive to individual experiences, needs, desires and emotions of the people they are designing for (Çeviker-Çınar, Mura, & Demirbağ-Kaplan, 2017).
Watching the videos and reading the book about action research has me somewhat excited about implementing my plan into my classroom. I am looking forward to formally, systematically and investigating my current professional duties. I am also looking forward to delving deeper into the process and learning as much as I can by asking the right question(s).
I believe Action Research will truly lead me to become more intentional especially when it comes to examining my own practices. As stated in the book, "Action research is primarily about critical examination of one's own practice. In order for someone to critically examine her or his practice, that person must engage in systematic reflection on that practice" (Mertler, 2020).
As I consider my innovation project, the question I would like to answer is “What emotions do students experience when designing a project vs. students who simply complete a project? Asking the proper question is only a part of the equation. According to Mertler in the book, Action Research, “Educational research involves the application of the scientific method to educational topics, phenomena, or questions in search of answers (Mertler, C., 2020).
According to (Mcdonagh, 2010), design thinking begins with empathy, citing that by employing empathic modelling strategies, designers can gain insight and shared understanding with their target users.
References:
Mertler, C. (2020) Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators. Sage.
Mcdonagh, D. (2010). Rethinking design thinking: Empathy supporting innovation [Abstract]. Australasian medical journal, 458-464. doi:10.4066/amj.2010.391
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