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An Exploratory Study of University Students’ Perceptions of Learning Action Research Online

Abstract:

Action research plays a fundamental role in the professional formation of pre-service students since it provides knowledge and competencies to reflect and improve teaching practice. This study analyzes the students’ learning perceptions of an online compulsory action research course taught in an online Bachelor of Education degree program in a public university in Quito - Ecuador. Using a survey design, one hundred sixty-two pre-service students responded to a questionnaire that contained 14 Likert scales and two open-ended questions. The results revealed that students acknowledge the importance of action research as part of their academic formation and are generally satisfied with the course organization and instructional materials. However, they feel that they do not have the opportunity to engage in experiential research activities. They also perceive a lack of connection between the instructional materials used in classes and the learning outcomes. Some of the students` suggestions include a stronger relationship between theory and practice during instruction to enhance authentic learning experiences, effective group work activities, and improvement in teacher rapport. This research aims to contribute to the academic discussion of planning online action research courses.