Discover how systematic, interdisciplinary action research projects foster evidence-based practices that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in online K-12 education. Join our interactive panel session and Q&A to learn innovative methods for assessing and improving your digital classrooms and learning centers through iterative, reflective pedagogy.

Online educators constantly seek ways to enhance student engagement and ensure effective learning outcomes, yet assessing these in a virtual environment presents unique challenges. Action research—practical, systematic inquiry undertaken by educators themselves—offers a powerful solution. This session showcases interdisciplinary action research projects implemented in a leading online high school, demonstrating how systematic inquiry can refine digital teaching practices and positively impact student learning.

Our panel features educators from various disciplines, including science, mathematics, writing labs, and technology, who have employed action research to iteratively assess and improve their teaching methodologies. The panelists will present concise (5-minute) overviews of their research questions, methods, findings, and reflections, providing attendees with real-world examples of how action research can be integrated into everyday teaching practice:

• Science: Recording and analyzing classroom discussions in a high school physics class to explore how specific teacher prompts influence peer-to-peer interactions and foster higher-order thinking among students, with a focus on identifying effective prompting strategies.

• Mathematics: Implementing structured peer reviews in calculus courses to deepen conceptual understanding and improve problem-solving abilities, evaluated via pre- and post-surveys.

• Peer Tutoring: Investigating the cognitive, interpersonal, and metacognitive benefits experienced by peer tutors, analyzed through triangulated qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.

• Technology: Utilizing innovative methods for measuring student readiness, resilience, and growth mindset through validated survey instruments and exploratory factor analysis.

This session emphasizes the innovative and accessible nature of data collection in digital learning environments, highlighting how diverse data sources—such as surveys, interviews, peer reviews, and reflective journals—can yield actionable insights. The panelists will share their experiences navigating the practical and ethical challenges of conducting action research online, ensuring anonymity and consent, and maintaining high-quality, impactful data.

Interactive Plan: Following the brief panel presentations, attendees will engage directly with presenters through a moderated Q&A session designed to foster dynamic discussions and collaborative idea exchange. Attendees will have opportunities to:

• Share their own experiences and insights regarding action research.

• Pose questions about implementing similar methodologies.

• Discuss the adaptation of these evidence-based practices in their own institutional contexts.

Session Takeaways: Participants will leave this session able to:

• Define and conceptualize action research in the context of online education.

• Identify effective methods for systematically assessing the impact of teaching strategies.

• Implement innovative, evidence-based practices within their own virtual classrooms.

• Leverage interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance educational research and instructional outcomes.

Join us for a compelling session that bridges theory and practice, offering practical tools and actionable insights to transform your online teaching through evidence-based action research.

Rebecca Shields

Director, Stanford OHS Writing and Tutoring Center at Stanford University

Robyn Fielder

Mrs. at Stanford University

Diem Ngyuyen

Data Analyst at Stanford University

Revathi Sundaresan

Senior Mathematics Instructor at Stanford University