Action Research Proposal (2)

 

Title: The use of the mother tongue in ESL classrooms.

Research question: In what cases or situations is the use of the mother tongue beneficial for ESL students?

Hypothesis: I consider the use of the mother tongue important for beginner students because they don’t have enough background knowledge to understand the lesson so, the use of their native language can help them to get a better understanding. In addition, there are some difficult tasks where even advanced students need the use of their mother tongue to clarify their doubts.

Introduction: The use of L1 in ESL classrooms is a controversial topic, that’s why I consider it an attractive issue for my research. During this research, I will try to find how beneficial is the use of the students’ native language in an ESL classroom. In my opinion, that use can be positive for beginner students. However, there are exceptions in advanced learners where the use of the mother tongue can be useful to understand hard issues.

 Map of the project: For my project, I will follow the method of secondary data to collect information about the topic. Then, I will use the experiment method with my students, I will teach a class with English only and then the same class will be taught to another class with the use of the students’ mother tongue to improve their understanding. After that, I will write a journal with the results and a survey to collect the students’ reactions. Finally, I will compare the experiment and survey results with the secondary data previously gathered.

 

Data Collection Method

Origen: Data Collection Method

Research Proposal

 

Title: The importance of warm up activities in ESL students

Research question:  Why English teachers should begin every class warming up the students?

Hypothesis: I consider warm up activities more than fun activities. I think warming students is beneficial to immerse them into the English language and help them to have a free practice of it. It also prepares the students for the next hour of class and creates a positive atmosphere. Besides, it’s a good way to motivate introvert students.

Introduction: In this research, I will try to find if warm up activities are beneficial for ESL students or wasted of time. In my opinion, these activities are crucial for the students because they engage them into the language. In addition, they give the chance for practicing the language without restrictions. I will use the results of my research to encourage teachers to apply warm up activities, to persuade them that an effective warm up gives to the lesson more than fun. A warming activity can also be suitable to introduce a new topic or as a review for the previous one.

Map of the research: For my research, I will use different methods. First, I will observe several classrooms in order to find the application of such activity and the students’ responses. Then, I will interview some teachers about their experiences implementing or not warm up activities. After that, I will distribute a survey among the students with questions related to their feelings about warming activities.

Data Collection Method

What is the purpose of data collection?

The purpose of data collection is to obtain information to keep on record to make decisions about important issues, to pass information to others. It also  enables a person or organization to answer relevant questions, evaluate outcomes and make prediction about future probabilities and trends.

Note methods of primary data collection (include at least one image)

Some methods of primary data collection are:

 Interview Method:     It is the most widely used primary data collection methods wherein the interviewer asks questions either personally, or through mail or telephone from the respondents to obtain the insights of the problem under study. The researcher may either visit the respondent in person at his home or meet him at the central location as mutually decided by them.
Delphi Technique: It is a forecasting technique wherein the researcher elicits the information from the panel of experts either personally or through a questionnaire sent through the mail. Here, each expert in his respective field is asked to give their opinions on the problem concerned and the consolidated view of all is used to reach for the most accurate answer.
Focus Group Interview: It is one of the widely used data collection methods wherein a small group of people, usually 6-12 members come together to discuss the common areas of the problem. Here each individual is required to provide his insights on the issue concerned and reach to a unanimous decision.
Questionnaire Method: Questionnaire is the most evident method of data collection, which is comprised of a set of questions related to the research problem. This method is very convenient in case the data are to be collected from the diverse population. It mainly includes the printed set of questions, either open-ended or closed-ended, which the respondents are required to answer on the basis of their knowledge and experience with the issue concerned.

Detail the uses of secondary data collection (include at least one image)

Data gathered and recorded by someone else prior to and for a purpose other than the current project Secondary data is data that has been collected for another purpose. It involves less cost, time and effort. Secondary data is data that is being reused. Usually in a different context. For example: data from a book. There are some advantages of using secondary data such as it is economical, it saves efforts and expenses,it is time saving, it helps to make primary data collection more specific since with the help of secondary data, we are able to make out what are the gaps and deficiencies and what additional information needs to be collected, it helps to improve the understanding of the problem and it provides a basis for comparison for the data that is collected by the researcher.

What are the introspective Methods of data Gathering?

Introspective method is the examination of one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings. In psychology the process of introspection relies exclusively on observation of one’s mental state, while in a spiritual context it may refer to the examination of one’s soul. Introspection is closely related to human self-reflection and is contrasted with external observation.

What are the characteristics of these methods?

Introspective Methods of data gathering are used in general psychology to get the maximum data and information about various human behaviors in order to arrive on conclusion.Introspection generally provides a privileged access to our own mental states, not mediated by other sources of knowledge, so that individual experience of the mind is unique. Introspection can determine any number of mental states including: sensory, bodily, cognitive, emotional and so forth.

What are observations models?

• Self-observation
• Peer-observation

What is Self Observation?

James Flaherty describes self-observation as this, “To self-observe means to not become attached to or to identify with any content of our experience, but to watch alertly, openly, passively.”ⁱ You need to be able to watch or be aware alertly and openly of your thoughts, emotions and moods in order to see them for what they are.  The Oxford Dictionaries defines self-observation as: the objective observation of one’s own attitudes, reactions or thought process. In the most basic sense, self-observation is the ability to view yourself as if you were observing yourself from a behind a video camera.

“Observing yourself is the necessary starting point for any real change.” –Brothers Chalmers

What is peer Observation?

Peer observation is the observation of teachers by teachers, usually, though not always, on a reciprocal basis. The peer observation process provides both the observe and the observer with the opportunity to mutually enhance the quality of their practice. It also provides an opportunity to disseminate good practice among colleagues by sharing thoughts  and supporting each other’s development of skills. The peer observation is a cyclical, iterative and reciprocal process and not a one-off event.

What are Observation Instruments?

• Diary
• Logs
• Journals
• Checklist
• Written analysis
• Rating scales
• Frequency tabulation

 

Links:

http://searchcio.techtarget.com/

http://businessjargons.com/primary-data-collection-methods.html#ixzz4aBxU9DJT

Advantages and disadvantages of secondary data collection nowadays

http://www.studylecturenotes.com/social-sciences/education/263-data-collection-methods-in-educational-psychology

http://lightboxleadership.com/self-observation-change-your-thinking-and-overcome-challenges/

Key words:

• Data
• Information
• Observer
• Method
• Collection
• Gathering