A handbook for Exploratory Action Research

B. Explore
C. Analyse and reflect

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24 
| What is Exploratory Action Research?
I think I need to research more and reflect more, but what 
I am really sure about is that wrapping-up activities are 
very important. I need to sit and look for activities in which 
students can reflect on their own learning – the teacher 
here disappears and a helper appears at the same time. 
I dare to say that wrapping-up activities must develop 
metacognition in my students.
I have more questions in my mind – I will do some extra 
changes, research again, and share my findings again!”
Commentary
Here you can see how Andrea moved from exploration to 
action by using the information she collected during her 
exploration to inform her later actions. For example, since 
her colleague told her that she always used the same 
strategy (asking a question to students), she decided to 
vary the way she ended her lessons. From the information 
she collected, she learnt that students need to be helped
to remember, and this is why she decided to use mind maps 
to aid their memory. In conclusion, Andrea explored the 
situation and later acted on it on the basis of the 
understanding she had gained. She also collected further 
data to see whether the changes she made were working.
Task 3.4 @
Look at the following sequences of events describing what 
a teacher did in a given situation. Decide whether these 
teachers attempt to explore the situation or immediately 
act on it. Check your answers in the answer key.
1. A teacher notices that
her students insist on using
their mobiles phones in class. In order
to address this situation, she plans
activities where students can use
their mobile phone for language
learning purposes.
3. A teacher wants to teach 
her students a song. She wonders
what song they might like, so she gives
a survey to her students to know. 
Based on this, she decides to teach 
students a current pop song.
2. A group of colleagues
are having some difficulties
managing a group of students.
They asked students, and they claimed
that they didn’t enjoy working
so passively at their desks.