Action Research #3

Action Research Template:

http://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1Hh55dtxPPhzAeMNZ-AUzmsjY1TFx8SaY8VfEor1JgBU&hl=en&authkey=CIL8z5kC

Action Research Reflection #2

In the second week of recognizing the importance of action research in today's education system, I found it quite interesting to read in Dana's book that inquiry can take place in a multitude of topic areas and is extremely relevant to the teachers of today and tomorrow. I had difficulty thinking about an area for my action research plan until I began reading "Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as an Action Researcher". The chapter titled "Finding a Wondering" was very insightful as to the areas and experiences that most of us already encounter on a day to day basis. This means wondering, thinking, and posing questions in what Dana (2009) as nine areas fit for inquiry - staff development, curriculum development, teachers, students, leadership, management, community and school culture, school performance, and social justice.

The idea of action research is to identify those experiences (both positive and negative) that could be taken to the next step. Take the good things occuring on campus and ponder about how this can impact more students, more community members, instruction, and so forth. A leader should be learning from the "good and the bad" to make the best possible impact on student instruction and should be using data to drive those decisions.

Using Blogs to Communciate for Action Research

Action research means to be a reflective learner and use what you learn to improve yourself, others, and your environment. Dana (2009) explains that journaling provides an opportunity to reflect on your own thought processes. Reflection is a very important piece of action research because a person cannot improve something if they do not take the time to look at data or information that states it could be improved.

Journaling online, otherwise known as blogging, gives a leader an opportunity to note learning immediately and share thoughts with others. Blogging allows someone to also get feedback from others who may or may not be in close proximity and have valuable knowledge to share. Integrating technology and journaling also allows someone to add pictures, graphs, PowerPoints, links, and other similar illustrations to make the blog interactive (Dana, 2009). People are able to post their thoughts and opinions on a blog so information is shared and a community of learners is brought together.

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Action Research Reflection #1

I learned that education research is very different from action research. I have always been taught to use best research practices in the classroom and usually that means to continue to engage in continual learning via workshops and professional development activities. However, action research requires more self reflection, data collection, planning, collegial learning opportunities, and communication.

Practicing action research is not just implementing educational research but it is engaging in the development of an improved leader and school environment which is constant and ongoing. Participating in the site based decision making committee or leadership team is one way that a leader can participate in action research. For example, the leadership team on my campus meets monthly and analyzes various forms of data in order to improve instruction and student learning. With that information, we specify strengths and weaknesses and make a plan on how to strengthen the particular area. Communication and vertical alignment play an important part when the leadership team comes together. The leaders must work together and reflect on what each grade level (and its teachers) are doing or should be doing about this weakness. In turn, other educators are thinking about their own practices and learning too.

I can use the process of action research to strengthen my own leadership abilities, my school environment, and ultimately improve student learning. Leading others by example, I will be reflective, data driven, and seek information from other educational professionals in order to change my own practices and teach others.