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I did a quick analysis on the students’ answers for SPPP1012 Educational Psychology.  I notice that some of them do not able to answer some of the questions well.  Unfortunately, it does not necessarily related to psychological theories.  

For example, one of the questions asked about a specific type of research that teachers conduct to improve their teaching.  It is a straight-forward question.  The answer is Action Research. Even though action research involves pre and post test assessment (looks like experimental research) yet due to the purpose of research is to improve one’s teaching practice, this type of research is considered as action research.  However, some students fail to see this unique characteristic that differentiate  action research from experimental research.  

For action research, unlike experimental research, it also involves teacher’s daily planning in which any teaching technique used will be carefully planned, implemented, recorded (through observation etc.) and analysed.  Then, there will be adjustment of the technique if need arises.  For experimental research, there is no adjustment of the technique used based on whatever need arises.  Thus, in action research teachers are required to reflect on the activities that they have planned and implemented.  

What kind of need arises? 

For example, some students might have difficulty to understand certain concept when you use certain techniques in class.  So, what should you do?   In this case, you need to closely monitor any change or challenge that students might face while you are implementing certain technique in class.  You don’t do this if you conduct your research using experimental research.  Because the aim of experimental research is to look at the end product (it could be students performance) of a process i.e. experiment.  But for action research, the aim is not only on students performance, but also on the process of learning itself (what students experience in class when teacher uses certain technique).  

For this matter, action research involves cyclical process.  For experimental research, there is no cyclical process involved.  There is no reflection/evaluation phase unlike action research.   

Always remember:

Action research = improvement of one’e teaching and students’ learning experience.  

 

I don’t really care about eppp.  After all, it could be a mean for disgruntled students to “express” their emotions and thus, they don’t provide honest rating.  But, what a heck!  Once a while, I do get some unique comments.  Some are nasty ones but, let’s skip that one (not worth to be shared publicly).  Others are like these which give me warm fuzzy feelings that make my marking period enjoyable and bearable.  

I don’t agree with one of the comments though which says I am cute.  I am already in my 40s.  Cute might be used for teenage kids, not 40 plus lady like me 😀  But, looking at the feedback several times does make me feel good with the thoughts that somewhere out there, there is a student who thinks that I am cute.