Teachers’ Perspectives, Readiness, and Needs on Action Research:  An Extension Service Needs Assessment

Merilyn P. Juacalla; Victor A. Jr. Estalilla

Merilyn P. Juacalla
Victor A. Jr. Estalilla

Keywords: teachers' readiness in action research, perspectives on action research, extension service needs assessment

Abstract

The inclusion of action research as one of the teachers’ major functions has been implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd), to provide teachers with effective ways to investigate problems or test new ideas in the classroom. However, despite the institutionalization of research in the basic education, teachers are hindered from conducting action research. This paper analyzed how public elementary teachers view action research, described their level of readiness, and identified the training needs in action research. Public elementary teachers from Sta. Cruz District Province of Laguna (N=110) participated in the study. Utilizing the descriptive research design, data gathering was done through the use of Google Form, and used statistical tools as mean, Kruskal-Wallis test, t-test, and Kendall Tau test.

The teachers showed positive views on action research and were open to the idea of conducting action research. However, it appeared that it is highly needed that they develop methodological skills in the use technology in processing data, analyzing statistical results, and constructing the data gathering instrument. The study concludes that teachers hold positive views about action research, were quite ready to conduct action research, but needed to develop some methodological skills particularly in processing and analyzing data. It was found that no significant differences exist in the teachers' readiness to conduct action research in terms of their demographic profile.

Results imply that teachers recognize that they are active participants in education research and value action research in their professional development and in the upliftment of students' learning. However, the teachers lack theoretical knowledge and research skills. An action plan was designed to intensify the collaboration between the DepEd Sta. Cruz Sub-Office Division of Laguna and the Laguna State Polytechnic University Sta. Cruz Campus (LSPU – SCC). The implementation of the plan may help lessen the teachers' anxiety in conducting action research.

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