Daiva Jakavonytė-Staškuvienė & Jolita Kudinovienė

Action Research-based Practice as a Basis for Developing Critical Thinking in Primary School Pupils

Action Research-Based Practice As a Basis for Developing Critical Thinking in Primary School Pupils

Daiva Jakavonytė-Staškuvienė & Jolita Kudinovienė

Academy of Education, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

Abstract 

Action research in educational practice is defined as a systematic exploration of how to change the status quo in educational practice, and how to find new ways of doing things in order to bring about positive change for all those involved in the educational process, i.e. to improve student learning and achievement (Anderson, Herr, & Nihlen, 2007; Menter, Eliot, Hulme, & Lewin, 2011; Efron & Ravid, 2013). It is an activity that enables the planning of a strategy for action, which is implemented, systematically monitored, reflexively reflected upon and modified (Dolbec & Clément, 2000; Mertler, 2009; Lafontaine, 2006, 2016; Clark, 2012; Carignan, Beaudry, & Larose, 2016; Eden & Ackermann, 2018). In action research, the teacher as researcher takes on the responsibility of solving a particular learning problem (Macaire, 2007), and this cannot be done without deep critical thinking skills, which is why it is important to have deep, reflective educators in schools. Action research enhances teachers' capacity for professional development, autonomy, and the ability to evaluate and take responsibility for educational practice and its improvement (Efron & Ravid, 2013).  

Research question: How does action research help develop students' critical thinking capacities? 

Conclusions: It is important to note that most of the focus group participants in our study demonstrated their deep understanding of action research through examples of their work and their reasons for using certain aspects in their educational process. In addition, some aspects were transferred by the teachers to other activities, and some action research projects were so relevant to the children that they carry the experience even when they are in a different classroom and in a different context.  

Keywords: Action research, critical thinking, primary school pupils 

Biographies

Daiva JAKAVONYTĖ-STAŠKUVIENĖ: Professor, Head of the Didactics Research Cluster, Academy of Education, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania. European Commission Inspector of Pre-school and Primary Education in European Schools, Representative of Lithuania. Research interests include curriculum theory, pedagogy, general didactics, didactics of elementary language arts education, integrated didactics of languages, cooperative learning, assessment of students’ learning and progress, teacher leadership that transforms educational practice.  Email: . 

Jolita KUDINOVIENĖ: Head of the Department of Pre-School and Primary Education at the Academy of Education, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania. Research areas include the action research method, development of the social-emotional competence, educational projects and inclusive education. Email: .