The Compare Analysis gives teachers unprecedented accuracy in determining the effectiveness of different teaching methods. This process can be done in a few hours over a few days. Teachers teach two different ways to two groups, administer/grade a test, and finally enter scores into a computer grade book template. The historical burden of planning projects and analyzing results is eliminated; we assure that precise yet easily understood feedback is readily available. Teachers get the clearest picture they have ever had of what works best with their students; they are empowered to continually develop better teaching methods and become increasingly effective teachers.

1. Teachers select two lessons to teach to two groups and develop two tests to measure students learning. 
2. Teachers decide a "SPECIAL" way to teach something. For example a teacher might want to see how well wait time works with his or her students (wait time is when a teacher waits 3-5 seconds to call on a student, after he asks a question). Next teachers decide a "NORMAL" way to teach something (i.e. call on students immediately after asking a question).  NOTE our action research modules preplan steps A & B for teachers.
3. On Day 1, teachers teach lesson 1 the SPECIAL way to the 1^st group and the NORMAL way to the 2^nd class. On Day 2 they do the opposite (teach lesson 2 the NORMAL way to the 1^st class and the SPECIAL way to the 2^nd class). Within 1 to 10 days, all students are tested over both lessons.
4. Teachers grade the tests and enter the scores into a grade book template grade book template on our Web site.

The automated results are given to teachers in the Essential Results (see below) where teachers find out the precise effect of their special method.

The oversized colored parts above (significantly higher, A, extremely effective) are automatically inserted into a report as soon as scores are entered into our grade book template. Significance is listed as either "significantly higher" OR "the same". The  grades can vary from A to E.   "Effective" is always described in 1 of 4 ways:

1. extremely effective
2. very effective
3. somewhat effective
4. not effective

Few teachers have never had such precise information regarding their effectiveness with their students. teachers have ever had such precise information regarding their effectiveness with their students. The succinct results above give teachers a powerful tool to continually develop more and more effective teaching methods. In 2 or 3 projects, teachers usually have methods that are "extremely effective" in comparison to their former teaching methods. Continuing projects bring increasing effectiveness. The Technical Report may lend some depth of understanding to this analysis, however, it only adds a little of value for classroom decisions. Many teachers have done wonderful research and become much more effective teachers, without reading or understanding the Technical Report.

We encourage you to Get Involved so you can see ways to be involved in compelling action research with your students. The Compare Analysis allows teachers all over the word to compare their results. Please sign up for Collaborative Projects. Our Action Research Modules are available to people who want a quick start with action research. The lessons, tests, research design and statistics are all done for you, allowing you to concentrate on teaching and seeing what is most effective with your students.

Contact Larry Schaftenaar, Ph.D. at lschafte@edzone.net with any questions. We look forward to facilitating highly fulfilling action research with you and your students; our participants consistently report that teaching has never been so exciting and so rewarding;  we hope you can join us.

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