Action Research/A Model Action Research

 How can I get the students to complete the assignments on their own?

 An Action Research

Introduction/Background of the Study

I have been teaching English in different schools for more than a decade, and one of the major issues I have ever faced is that most of the students rarely complete assignments on their own. Assignments is a must to make the students practise whatever they learn in the classroom.  I have shared the issue with my colleagues and they have had the similar problems.

Very few students complete the given assignment at home and others come to school and copy from the diligent students, whereas some simply beg for excuses.

Planning

The problem has haunted me time and again. So, I planned to consult different books and reference materials related to the issue. Similarly, I wished to consult with some experienced teachers. I surfed the    Internet to search for the articles concerned with the issue. Next, I watched some videos useful for making the students do assignments. Finally, I collected some e-books and resources which, I thought, would address the problem I have been facing for a long time.

Acting

After reading the books, reference materials and watching the videos, I went to my class with some intentions and plans. As usual, I started the lesson engaging them to do some short comprehension questions. Some of the students did well but others tried to copy from others, but I did not let them do so. Then I asked them the reasons for not doing class work and assignments. Some of them responded that they had no idea about the answer, whereas others replied that they found assignments not interesting. Next, I got the bright students in the class to share their ideas with other students about reading and doing assignments. After that, I divided the students into four groups and assigned them different class work such as matching, true/false items, drawing a picture, writing notes etc.To my happiness, they attempted the class work themselves. Finally, I assigned them different types of exercises as assignments and said that they had to do assignments in their own way.

Observing 

The following day, I asked the students for assignments and most of them looked excited to submit their work. Nevertheless, some students hesitated to submit their assignment, so I went up to them and asked to submit their assignments. Although they showed assignments, I found them copied from others. Then I checked home work of the remaining students and became glad to find nearly seventy per cent of the students had completed the home work properly. However, I wanted to make all the students do their assignment on their own. That is why, I wished to adopt the cycle of action research once more. 

Planning, Acting and Observing

 I thought of assigning easier exercises to those students who had not done home work themselves at home, and I did so. Similarly, I decided to visit the guardians of those students to know other reasons behind the issue if any. That evening I went to visit the guardians of some of the students nearby, and came to know that the guardians did not care about whether their children did school assignments or not. Then I talked to them about the importance of doing assignments and convinced them to manage some time in order to make them complete assignments.

The following day was a surprise for me in the sense that all the students had come up with complete assignments. They looked excited to submit home work. I checked their assignments and awarded grades like A+, A, B+,B etc.

Reflecting/ Conclusion

The issue I have been facing for ages has been solved. Now all the students complete the assignments in their own way. I came to know that the crux of the problem is the lack of variety and interest in the exercises they are assigned as home work.  Moreover, it is very important to check the assignment and give them constructive feedback. I shared my research to my fellow teachers which they appreciated.