This document discusses using action research for personal professional development. It explains that action research allows teachers to holistically investigate an area of their practice by identifying aspects to improve, implementing changes, and evaluating the results in an ongoing, cyclical process. The document contrasts mini projects, which focus on single items with short-term investigations, and long-term investigations that allow for exploring multiple topics simultaneously. Finally, it provides an example walkthrough of a mini-project on assessing learning and references for further reading on action research and professional development frameworks.

1. Using action research for personal
professional development
www.teflgeek.netDavid Petrie
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2. USING ACTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional Development in your context
www.teflgeek.netDavid Petrie
Image credits: www.pixabay.com Reproduced under CC0 licence
responsive
holistic
focused
well-researched
draws on experience
balance of theory & practice
one size does not fit all
more focus on senior staff
can’t change what you don’t see
can breed negativity

3. USING ACTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Your Professional Development Profile
www.teflgeek.netDavid Petrie
Image credit: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/teacher-development/continuing-professional-development

4. USING ACTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mini Projects or Long term Investigations?
www.teflgeek.netDavid Petrie
Mini projects:
• Essentially linear
• Purpose focused
• Single item
• Short term
Long term investigations:
• Cyclical and divergent
• Topic focused
• Multiple simultaneous
investigations

5. USING ACTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A process for investigation
www.teflgeek.netDavid Petrie

6. USING ACTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mini – Project Walkthrough:
www.teflgeek.netDavid Petrie
1: Identify an area
2: Identify an aspect
3: Reflect on current practice
4: Read up on the area
5: Identify a positive change
6: Implement the change
7: Evaluate the change
Assessing learning
Utilising a range of different types of assessment & feedback
My attitude to testing / School testing procedures/ Observer
notes on ways I give feedback
H. Douglas Brown Language Assessment / #ELTChat / blogs
Praising good examples of language in class (Anthony Ash)
Ongoing!
Ongoing: observer & student feedback

7. USING ACTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
www.teflgeek.netDavid Petrie
References and Further Reading:
• Cambridge English Teacher Framework: http://goo.gl/I3pA1l
• British Council CPD Framework: http://goo.gl/T40Xr2
• BALEAP Competency Framework: http://goo.gl/Sjmlrf
• European Profiling Grid: http://goo.gl/1YsvNS
• Anthony Ash, Positive Reinforcement in Language Learning, http://goo.gl/NQE9lA
• McNiff, J. & Whitehead, J. “Action Research: Principles and Practice”,
RoutledgeFalmer, 2002
• Brown, H. Douglas, “Language Assessment: Principles and Classroom Practices”,
Pearson, 2004