A handbook for Exploratory Action Research

81 
| What happens?
Summary and follow-up
In this chapter we have learnt more about how we can 
observe, analyse and reflect upon the changes that we may 
make in our teaching as a result of doing Exploratory Action 
Research. We have learnt when and how we can observe 
the effects of these changes, and the difference between 
noticing and interpreting them during the evaluation 
process. We have also practised looking critically at 
indicators of change and have reminded ourselves why 
triangulation is an important part of showing us that change 
has really happened. Finally, we have seen how, when 
teachers reflect on Exploratory Action Research, they often 
notice more fundamental changes – changes in ‘mindset’ 
– in how they view learners, their colleagues, themselves, 
and the teacher development process. 
The change that can happen inside you, as a teacher (even 
when you were not expecting or planning this), can be one 
of the most important findings of Exploratory Action 
Research – and one that it is good to highlight when you 
come to share your findings, as we shall consider in the final 
chapter. 
Follow-up
Camila, whose challenging situation you first came across
in Chapter One, did an Exploratory Action Research study
to help some of her students. She was particularly 
interested in supporting those students who were part of an 
inclusion programme. Please read Camila’s story here and 
answer the questions below: 
http://bit.ly/Camila-Villalobos
1. What changes did Camila introduce in her class?
2. How did she evaluate its effects?
3. What did Camila learn from this experience? 

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9. Where do I go
from here?
In the previous chapters of this book we have invited you to take a journey of 
exploration and action. In that journey we have asked you to reflect about your 
practice, identify an area to explore, plan an exploration, explore by collecting 
data, analyse and interpret data, suggest an action plan, implement the action 
plan and evaluate its effects. We have supported you in this journey by looking
in detail at each of the key steps in the Exploratory Action Research process. 
Now we’ve reached the top step. So, where do you go from here? 

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