Action Research: A Means to More Effective Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This paper explores, and argues for, the value of action research as a tool for practitioners to examine and potentially improve their own practice, and thus enhance student learning. It suggests that action research can be seen as lying on a continuum with feedback at one end, full educational research at the other and evaluation and action research fitting in between. All these activities are explored here with particular emphasis on action research. The paper is illustrated with examples in which the writers test out their argument in their own situations, in India and Scotland.