Introduction
This collaborative discussion reflects my continued development of the action research process during EDLD 5315 in the Applied Digital Learning program. Through the readings of Chapters 4–6 in Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators and the accompanying instructional videos by Dr. Craig A. Mertler, I further refined my understanding of how to clearly define a problem of practice and align a research question with appropriate data collection methods.
This reflection also allowed me to connect my innovation project, Tech Time: My Time in Kindergarten, with the development of my action research design. By applying the 5 Why Process and the Action Research Design Development template, I was able to narrow my focus from a general classroom observation to a specific research question related to student independence during structured technology center rotations. These insights helped guide the early planning of my action research study and ensured that my research question, design, and data collection strategies remained aligned.
Action Research Design Development
Artifact
Conclusion
This reflection helped me recognize the importance of clearly defining the problem of practice and ensuring that the research question, data collection methods, and research design remain aligned. By narrowing my focus through the 5 Why Process and connecting my innovation project to the action research framework, I gained a clearer direction for my study. This process has strengthened my understanding of action research as a reflective and purposeful approach that supports continuous improvement in classroom practice.
Reference
Mertler, C. A. (2020). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.