This is an example of an action research project on test anxiety on reading comprehension tests for non-native speakers of English. The study was conducted in a junior high. You may read the full study online: http://www.amazon.com/Students-Skills-Reading-Comprehension-Tests-ebook/dp/B006JS1MEK/ Action research projects offer a systematic way for teachers, instructors, facilitators, moderators, mentors, coaches, managers, and anyone who is required to manage people. You're invited to take an online action research course with other participants or on your own with full mentorship and one-on-one support. Action research projects for teachers (ARP4T) is a practical self-paced online course with one-on-one facilitation and full support on IT4ALL Moodle site. Teachers will research a problem in their classes/schools and develop a proposal, conduct research and report on the findings, resolve the problem and take action http://www.integrating-technology.org/course/view.php?id=335 $32 to learn how to and conduct an action research project and report your findings after you implement your ideas so you can change the dynamics of your face-to-face, blended or fully online class and improve instruction and learning with Dr. Nellie Muller Deutsch​ by your side until December 31, 2015. After that the course will be $132.

1. Action Research 2 Transform
Classroom Dynamics

2. 2
According to Nathaniel Branden, a famous
psychologist and close friend of Ayn Rand, "Man
survives, not by adjusting himself to his physical
environment in the manner of an animal, but by
transforming his environment through productive
work" (Branden, p. 129).
Branden, N. (1969). The psychology of self-esteem. Los
Angeles: Nash.
Productive Work

3. 3
Action research is a 1 of
changing student 2 in the 3. The
process helps teachers 4 the 5
6 and 7 8 that may 9 10 and 11.
Teachers learn to 12 and 13,
and determine a 14 of 15 or 16
that will 17 18.
Action Research Project

4. 4
Action research is a process of
changing student behavior in the
classroom. The process helps
teachers understand the classroom
dynamics and identify changes that
may improve instruction and learning.
Teachers learn to observe and reflect,
and determine a course of action or
actions that will resolve problems.
Action Research Project

5. 5
 Help teachers
 Understand
 Classroom dynamics
 Identify changes
 Improve instruction
 Improve learning
Action Research Purpose

6. 6
 Identify a problem
 Develop course of action in class
 Collect the data from action taken
 Analyze the data
 Reach Conclusions
 Modify the process as required
 Share the results
Action Research Process

7. 7
Process
• Observe
• Reflect
• Take Action
Change • Student Behaviour
Classroom • Dynamics
Action Research Process

8. 8
Preparing Students for
Reading Comprehension Tests
An Action Research Project Proposal
Dr. Nellie Deutsch
University of Phoenix
2005

9. 9
The Problem Statement
Grade nine EFL students lack the skills to cope with
reading comprehension tests.
Action Research Project

10. Action Research 2 Transform
Classroom Dynamics

11. 11
The Problem Statement
Grade nine EFL students lack the skills to cope with
reading comprehension tests.
Action Research Project

12. 12
Purpose
• Determine the causes
• Build a workable curriculum program
• Provide students with test taking techniques
• Improve student scores
Action Research Project

13. 13
Background Description
• Population
• Work Setting
• Writer’s Role
Action Research Project

14. 14
Problem Documentation
Two Surveys
• Online Questionnaires
Students
Parents
Teachers
• Offline Questionnaires
Students
Action Research Project

15. 15
Survey Results
(Before Intervention)
QuestionPro Online Survey Program
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/ShowResults?id=161974
Action Research Project

16. 16
Students: What thoughts do you have during the test?
I wish I had prepared myself better. 25.71%
I won't have enough time. 39.05%
I am doing great. 20.95%
I wish I could be somewhere else 14.29%
Action Research Project

17. 17
Teachers: ESL/EFL students are anxious during
reading comprehension tests in English.
Strongly Agree 34.15%
Agree 45.85%
Undecided 8.29%
Disagree 8.78%
Strongly Disagree 2.93%
Action Research Project

18. 18
Teachers: ____ of my ESL/EFL students
are/were anxious during reading comprehension
tests.
Most 31.03%
Some 36.55%
Many 25.52%
None 2.07%
A few 4.83%
Action Research Project

19. 19
Parents: My daughter/son gets anxious when there
is reading comprehension test in school.
Strongly Agree 41.03%
Agree 17.95%
Neutral 23.08%
Disagree 18.38%
Strongly Disagree 2.56%
Action Research Project

20. 20
Parents: Reading strategies would improve reading
comprehension in English.
Strongly Agree 70.27%
Agree 21.62%
Neutral 8.11%
Disagree 0.00%
Strongly Disagree 0.00%
Action Research Project

21. 21
Teachers: ESL/EFL students would benefit from
relaxation exercises before reading comprehension
tests.
Strongly Agree 28.29%
Agree 37.07%
Undecided 27.80%
Disagree 3.90%
Strongly Disagree 2.93%
Action Research Project

22. 22
Literature Review
Brief summary
• Problem
• Solution
Action Research Project

23. 23
Solution Strategy
Reading Comprehension Test Taking Skills
12 Week Curriculum Program:
• Reading Strategies
• Test Taking and Relaxation Techniques
Action Research Project

24. 24
Reading Strategies
• General Layout
Paragraph: Introduction, body and conclusion
Type of writing: letter, report, description, persuasion…
Skimming and scanning: Numbers, capital letters
Action Research Project

25. 25
Test Taking Techniques
• Relaxation Exercises
Mindfulness: Present
Breathing: Counting to 10
Color Visualization and Chakras
Self-talk: Positive affirmations
• Time
• Organization
Action Research Project

26. 26
Results
Student scores before and after the 12-week implementation
57.3
80.15
Students
Scores
Action Research Project

27. 27
Audience Feedback
• Questions
• Comments
Action Research Project

28. 28
Recommendations
• Needs Assessment Survey
Questionnaire on test taking anxiety
Questionnaire on reading strategies
• Action research project
• Comparison of grades before and after test taking
and reading strategies curriculum program
Action Research Project

29. 29
Action research is a p of
changing student b in the c. The
process helps teachers u the c
d and i c that may i i and l.
Teachers learn to o and r, and
determine a c of a or c that will r
p.
Action Research Project

30. Action Research 2 Transform
Classroom Dynamics

31. 31
Teachers will research a problem in
their classes/schools and develop a
proposal, conduct research and report
on the findings, resolve the problem
and take action.
Enrol in the course and let's learn
together.
Action Research Project
Productive Work

32. 32

33. 33 50% Off August 28 11.50 PM
Action Research Project