Action Research Report: Technology in the Classroom and School

This report presents an action research project focused on the integration of technology in the classroom and school environment. The research explores the purpose and key features of action research, including the analysis of different models like Kurt Lewin's and Dave Ebbutt's. It justifies the choice of technology as an area of focus, addressing challenges such as the lack of technical device usage and the need for improved educational practices. The report details a clear intervention strategy, emphasizing the digitalization of educational aspects, including infrastructure and classroom accessories. It also highlights ethical and political considerations, ensuring student data confidentiality. The research employs a mixed methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, such as surveys and interviews, to evaluate the effectiveness of technology integration. The findings are presented with data analysis and conclusions, followed by recommendations for action and an analysis of the researcher's own practice in relation to action research, including strengths, areas for improvement, and plans for skill enhancement. The report aims to offer insights into how technology can mitigate obsolete educational practices.

Action Research
(Technology in the classroom and school)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Explain the purpose of action research.................................................................................1
1.2 Analyse key features of the action research process.............................................................2
1.3 Analyse the implications of a model of action research.......................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Justify own choice of an area of practice for action research...............................................3
2.2 Plan a clear intervention strategy..........................................................................................3
2.3 Justify the choice and timescales of an intervention strategy...............................................4
2.4 Explain how ethical and political considerations and issues of confidentiality will be
observed in practice.....................................................................................................................4
2.5 Implement a clear intervention strategy................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Evaluate methods for action research...................................................................................4
3.2 Evaluate methods of collecting qualitative and quantitative data.........................................4
3.3 Review ways in which collected data may be analysed........................................................5
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................6
4.1 Draw on selected literature relating to an area of practice for action research.....................6
4.2 Justify own choice of methods selected for action research.................................................6
4.3 Collect data relating to an area of practice for action research.............................................7
4.4 & 4.5 Analyse and Present data collected from action research.........................................10
4.6 Draw conclusions based on findings from action research.................................................18
TASK 5..........................................................................................................................................19
5.1 Report own findings and conclusions from action research..............................................19
5.2 Justify own recommendations for action to be taken based on conclusions from action
research.....................................................................................................................................19
TASK 6..........................................................................................................................................20
6.1 Analyse the effectiveness of own practice in relation to action research............................20
6.2 Identify own strengths and areas for improvement in relation to action research..............20

6.3 Plan opportunities to improve own skills in action research...............................................20
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................22
.......................................................................................................................................................23

INTRODUCTION
Technology introduces to devices, systems and methods which are the output of scientific
knowledge being applied for practical purposes. In addition, technology integration introduces as
an effective use of technological tools in specific content areas within education industry. As, it
help student to use technology and computer skills for problem solving and learning. It is defined
as a better use of technological competencies to improve and assist the educational environment.
This investigation has main aim to find techniques to mitigate the issue of obsolete educational
practices in an education institution (Ahmad, 2015). The most helpful technique by which this
issue is likely to be resolved is technology and this action research is conducted to analyse
technology in the area of education. Technology in the classroom or school also help in
providence of instruction that will generate possibilities and chances for students to finish project
on the computer system rather than with normal paper and pencil. For this, action research will
be conducted which refers as a systematic enquiry method that teachers undertake as
investigators of their own practices. Main purpose of action research is to improve skills and
knowledge of students with the help of technology. This research is divided into different parts
which includes purpose and nature of action research. Different number of ways will also
covered for performing each activities of research in systematic manner. Outcomes of action
research and own practices in relation to action research will also included in this project.
TASK 1
1.1 Explain the purpose of action research
In classroom, action research introduces to a broad variety of investigative, evaluative
and analytical research approach designed to diagnose weaknesses or issues whether
instructional and academic. This type of research will support an educators to create practical
solutions for addressing any issues in efficiently and quickly. There are mainly three purpose of
action research such as: 1) building the reflective practitioners, 2) Making progress on
schoolwide priorities and, 3) building professional cultures (Brahimi and Sarirete, 2015). Along
with this, main purpose of action research is to improve student's skills by adoption of different
types of technological tools such as internet connection, word processing software, spreadsheet
software, blogging sites, smart boards computers or tablets etc. All these are consider most
essential and useful types of technology within a classroom or schools. Along with this, with the
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help of all technology, teacher can easily improve knowledge and skills of their student within
education industry.
1.2 Analyse key features of the action research process
Action research introduces as a systematic multi-staged cyclical process or activities,
which seeks to enhance practice via the implementation of incremental and informed change.
There are some key features or characteristic of action research process which are determined as
under:
Step 1: Selecting a focus: It introduces as a first process in conducting action research is
to determine and explain the focus of their research. Examination of the school, students,
programs and instructional practice introduces as a main features of this step. As it will help a
teacher to analysis needs and wants of students within classroom.
Step 2: Collecting data: It is second step which involved in doing action research
includes accumulating information to use in answering research questions. This information
may consists of instructor made surveys as well as standardized test data. Main feature of this
step is interview and survey (Delgado and et. al., 2015). Gathered information may consist of
student observation, portfolio and many other sources of information.
Step 3: Analyzing and interpreting data: After identifying focus of students and
collection of data, teacher will require to determine and make interpretations from their
materials. In this, tutor want to summarize the information about the importance of technology in
classroom.
Step 4: Taking action: It is a last step of action research which includes to making an
effective decision regarding action research and determining next possible actions. Main feature
of this step is to surveyed the students, supervisors, teachers and know exactly how to fix the
issue.
1.3 Analyse the implications of a model of action research
There are different models of action research such as Kurt Lewin's model, Dave Ebbutt's
model, Kemmis and McTaggart's model, Jean McNiff's model, John Elliott's model etc. All these
are identify effective and essential model of action research which will help in education industry
by implementing technology (Hwang, Lai and Wang, 2015). As technology will assist a teacher
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to improve knowledge as well as skills of students within given time duration. Along with this,
there are some useful models which will be used in education industry.
Kurt Lewin's model: It is a type of action research model which includes four elements
such as planning, acting, observing and reflecting. This model will help in implementation of
technology within classroom or school with proper planning.
Dave Ebbutt's model: It is another important and useful model which will also assist a
teacher to develop technology in classroom and improve knowledge of students within given
time duration. This model is developed by Dave Ebbutt's in 1985. For this, they uses a series of
successive cycles that see the chances of giving evaluative feedback or comment within and
between the action cycles (John and Wheeler, 2015).
Both types of model will implemented in education industry which will assist in proper
investigation about the development of technology. All these are identify useful models which
will support in proper planning, acting, observing as well as reflecting.
TASK 2
2.1 Justify own choice of an area of practice for action research
As a student in education institute the major challenge and issue faced in classroom is
about lack of the usage of technical devices which have contribution in the process of
improvement of the level of education. This investigation has main purpose is to find tools to
mitigate the problems of obsolete educational practices within education institution. There are
different issues related with technology such as: student using social media, network overload,
security breach, cheating, gaming, damaged device, lower attendance, short-term learning goals
etc. All these are consider major issues which will negatively effect on students as well as tutor
also while teaching and learning about the specific topic (Kayalar, 2016). It is a best area of
action research which will help in proper solution of lack of usage of technical devices. Along
with this, there are some other issues in technological tools such as improper internet connection,
presentation software is not appropriate, lack of digital photo cameras etc. Therefore, it is a best
area for solving problems related with lack of technology etc.
2.2 Plan a clear intervention strategy
Intervention strategy introduces as a set of activities or methods which is used by
educational institutes in order to teach students. One of the intervention strategy that can be
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introduce from the administration side includes digitalisation of the existing aspects of the
education. The ultimate result of such intervention is seen over the classrooms and level of
education. The different aspects upon which requires to work under this strategy includes
infrastructure, physical classroom accessories etc.
2.3 Justify the choice and timescales of an intervention strategy
The justification behind the choice of the above mentioned strategy is about that this will
help in improvement of education level and reduces the time period and effort of the tutor in
providence of study programmes. Another aspect which justified the choice of the strategy is that
the same is not much time taking and easily implemented within the organisation.
2.4 Explain how ethical and political considerations and issues of confidentiality will be
observed in practice
It is the duty of the management of the institution while implementing this strategy and
bring improvement in their classrooms and education level then must ensure nothing can be
done from which any of the stakeholder which have interest in the institute affected negatively.
Also, while using new technological devices must ensure that data of student is not leaked to
any third party.
2.5 Implement a clear intervention strategy
The process of implementation is defined below:
 Planning: This will includes about ascertainment of the aspects which are needed to
consider in the process developing infrastructure and classrooms in associated with the
new technological developments.
 Implementation: New projector based classrooms are developed where study
programmes are arranged. Also, instead of any physical writing material focus on the
adoption of digital tool by the students and the is achieved with the help of the
disbursement of Tablets. As this will allows them to save their content and do instant
research which improves their analytical skills.
 Review: : Last process where review is conducted to ascertain the effectiveness. The
method which is utilised in this process is about 360 degree appraisal. This will allows to
get the opinion of students and teachers and help to get knowledge about deviations and
providence of proper intervene strategies.
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TASK 3
3.1 Evaluate methods for action research
Action research is explained as study to carried out in course of action, in area of
education, to make improvement in approaches as well as methods of involved. It is reflective
process or initiated to solve issue of the progressive problems which solved through people
working with the other teams as part of community practices. It is a process under which the
participants evaluate own educational practice in careful as well as systematic manner. The
action research is to be presented as tool to bring appropriation process of knowledge in
democratic as well as participatory way (Lai, 2015). It consists working independently on project
like elementary school teacher conduct their own research project with students.
In this action research, there is mixed methodology has been used. It is a combination of
the qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The reason behind selecting this research
methodology is to give comprehensive answers about study of the research questions, and action
research to give comprehensive solutions to the practical issues. There are different another
methods which are mainly common to the qualitative investigation such as keeping a research
journals, questionnaire surveys, case studies, document collection and analysis, structured and
unstructured interviews, participant observation recording etc. All these are consider most
essential and useful methods for action research which will support an investigator to identify
requirement for implementation technology in classroom (Merç, 2015).
3.2 Evaluate methods of collecting qualitative and quantitative data
There are mainly two types of research which is qualitative and quantitative. Both types
of research are essential for an investigator to gather appropriate information regarding the
development of technology in classroom or school. Both types of research are determined as
under with different methods:
Qualitative research: It introduces as the information that gives understanding and
insights regarding a specific issue (Moffett, 2015). It also refers as an useful method of inquiry
that creates better knowingness on social as well as human sciences. For accumulating accurate
and qualitative information some methods have been applied such as in-depth interviews,
postcards, group discussion and so on.
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 Interview: It is essential source for collecting qualitative information regarding
development of technology in classroom or schools. It is may be structured, unstructured
or semi-structured in nature. Focus Groups: It is another important source for gathering qualitative and appropriate
data about the current study. In this sources, different number of participants will be
included with purpose of discussing any issue related to the action research.
Quantitative research: It is another type of research which is applied to quantify the
issue by way of creating numerical information that can be changed into usable statistics.
Quantitative research is applied to quantify behaviour, opinion, attitudes and other defined
variables as well as generalize outputs from a larger population (Mueller and Oppenheimer,
2016). There are different methods for collecting quantitative information such as surveys,
secondary data, observation and questionnaire. Surveys: It is most useful source for collecting quantitative information or data about the
importance of technology tools in classroom. Survey is conducted by person, phone and
online also.
 Secondary data: It also introduces as an important and useful source which will be
applied in action research to collect information in form of numbers, hard facts etc.
3.3 Review ways in which collected data may be analysed
There are different methods or ways in which gathered information may be analysed. For
this, regression analysis and thematic analysis are consider two types of data analysis methods
which will support an investigator to analysis accurate information about the area of education.
According to this action research, thematic analysis will be applied. In this case, different themes
will be created on each questions (Noble, 2017). As it will support an investigator to analysis
proper and relevant information from the respondents in minimum time period. Thematic
analysis also essential and useful for an investigator to accomplish better outputs within given
time duration.
TASK 4
4.1 Draw on selected literature relating to an area of practice for action research
According to the Jane Wakefield, 2015, technology has more power to transform how an
individual learn. Technology in classroom is most essential and effective for students by
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improving its learning and technical skills (Nunan and Richards, 2015). There are various
number of technological tools such as computers or tablets, word processing software, internet
connection, smart boards etc. All these are identify main technologies in classroom and help a
teachers to teach their students easily.
4.2 Justify own choice of methods selected for action research
There are different methods which will be applied for identifying any issues in classroom
about the technology. Some important and useful methods for action research will be determined
as under:
Document Collection: For collecting appropriate data regarding the specific area of
action research, there are two methods for collecting data including, primary and secondary. For
gathering primary information, questionnaire will be prepared by researcher (Sharma and et. al.,
2015). As this method of data collection will support an investigator by providing reliable and
accurate data. On the other hand, secondary method is another type of data collection which
includes different sources such as books, magazines, publication research and articles relevant to
the action research. All these sources help an investigator to gather detailed and in-depth
information regarding the research.
Questionnaire: It introduces as an important instrument of primary research which will
support a researcher to gather reliable data regarding the improvement in technology system
within education institutes. This instrument of primary research consist series of questions for the
aim of collecting information or data from respondents.
Sampling: The main motive of survey investigation is to explain the features of a
population gathering information from a sample (Thomas and Muñoz, 2016). There are two
types of sampling method including probability and non-probability. According to action
research, convenience sampling as a type of non-probability sampling will be applied by
researcher. As this method help an investigator by saving its time, cost and resources. With the
help of convenience sampling, 30 teachers of faculties within an education institute will be
selected.
4.3 Collect data relating to an area of practice for action research
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you think technology can play an important role in the area of education?
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a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are the technologies which can be used in a Classroom?
a) Video cameras
b) Word processing software
c) Smart Boards
Q3) What are the challenges which are faced due to obsolete educational practices?
a) Low interest of learners
b) Time consuming tasks
c) Low adaptability of core concept
Q4) How the challenges faced due to obsolete educational practices can be overcome?
a) Adoption of Smart classes
b) Involvement of technological equipments in learning process
c) Classroom activities
Q5) Is technology helps in overcoming challenges related with obsolete educational practices?
a) Yes
b) No
Q6) According to you, what are the basis needs of learners about technology?
a) internet connection
b) Word processing software
c) Projectors
Q7) What are the negative impact of technology on learners?
a) Distraction
b) High cost involvement
c) More complex for educators
Q8) What are the positive impact of technology on learners?
a) Exposure to practical knowledge
b) Improvement of technical skills
c) More Collaboration with Peers
Q9) Does technology is helpful for teachers in improving learning of their students?
a) Yes
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b) No
Q10) Provide any recommendations for improvement of technology in education system.
Q1) Do you think technology can play an important role in the area of
education?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
Q2) What are the technologies which can be used in a Classroom? Frequency
a) Video cameras 10
b) Word processing software 10
c) Smart Boards 10
Q3) What are the challenges which are faced due to obsolete educational
practices?
Frequency
a) Low interest of learners 7
b) Time consuming tasks 9
c) Low adaptability of core concept 13
Q4) How the challenges faced due to obsolete educational practices can be
overcome?
Frequency
a) Adoption of Smart classes 8
b) Involvement of technological equipments in learning process 13
c) Classroom activities 9
Q5) Is technology helps in overcoming challenges related with obsolete
educational practices?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 5
Q6) According to you, what are the basic needs of learners about Frequency
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