Action Research... Is it really worth the time and effort?

Before we can answer the question about the worth of action research, we must first take a look at exactly what action research entails. Action research is a break from an old style of educational improvement, which we will call traditional educational research. In a more traditional style, administrators and other educational leaders would utilize the expertise of professionals outside of their campus to bestow techniques and tools for educational improvement. This might look like professional development through speaker led conferences and/or seminars. The glaring problem to this style raises a question amongst school stakeholders. Can a cookie-cutter technique truly benefit my campus?

In response to the questions surrounding traditional educational research, action research was born. Action research is a systematic and cyclical approach to educational inquiry. In this approach, administrators must take a leading role in thinking critically about their actions and the practices on their campus. Instead of simply sitting through a lecture about needed change, administrators are digging-in to the inquiry process and identifying the specific needs of their teachers and students. Action research brings about customized change and constant reflection. The areas of impact are only limited by the creativity of the educator. A few ideas would include things like impacting education through the use of technology, transforming teaching styles through effective evaluation, and enhancing the classroom experience through real-world application of lessons taught. There is at least one drawback to this approach. Action research requires much more energy, resources, and time than it's traditional counterpart. The question then must be asked, is it really worth the time and effort?

I will answer this question with another. Is seeing student lives changed through an exceptional educational experience worth the time and effort? Action research, when pursued with commitment and drive, has the potential to transform the way educators evaluate success. It pushes the educational process further than it could otherwise go. In my opinion, action research brings about interesting, engaging, and relevant classrooms that produce changed lives... and that is worth it.