This week was quite full but I worked hard to complete the action research plan. I had the opportunity to have two of my supervisors read the plan and I received very insightful feedback. I am looking forward to hearing other feedback.
Here is a link to my action research plan:
http://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=12JthUDk0XhlRqEyon_Cq54yN6jPG-7RRBSvOiwLO0ug&hl=en&authkey=CMzPlvsF
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Week Two
This week was a very good week. I really enjoyed the conversation with my mentor. We had great conversations about the variety of action research projects. She discussed some research she did at her campus and as a student. I also really enjoyed the interviews with the three administrators. They gave me insight into research and the importance of practical applications and student achievement.
I also had an opportunity this week to choose my topic for my action research project. I even had two principals agree to help me collect the data. It was wonderful to have their support as I work on this project.
I also had an opportunity this week to choose my topic for my action research project. I even had two principals agree to help me collect the data. It was wonderful to have their support as I work on this project.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
First post
What have I learned about action research and how might I be able to use it?
I have learned a lot about action research and how valuable this process is to an administrator. I actually used this process in my classroom without knowing the terminology or research behind the practice. I daily reflected on my lesson asking questions and gathering data. I used that information to plan for the next lesson. Although a shorter version of the action research for a school, it is an active model of inquiry. The process of asking questions and then using data to analyze what you know and do not know. This information can then be used to make informed deicsions about improvements in the school, community, or professional environment. It allows professionals to continually ask questions about their practices, work together to analyze and interpret data, and then make adjustments to those practices. It also allows for collaboration and professional discussions which is so different from the concept of teachers doing their jobs in isolation. This ongoing, collaborative, and spiraling method of making improvements is effective and an essential component of school improvement. Action research is very powerful especially when our students and circumstances change from year to year and sometimes day to day.
Analysis of how educational leaders might use blogs.
Blogs can be an excellent tool for principals to keep a journal type thought reflection of their inquiry. It is something that can easily be updated and in an interactive format. It also allows the principal to receive feedback from whomever he/she allows access to the blog. The use of blogs for data collection is also valuable. It allows the principal to return at anytime and analyze/reflect on his/her thinking.
I have learned a lot about action research and how valuable this process is to an administrator. I actually used this process in my classroom without knowing the terminology or research behind the practice. I daily reflected on my lesson asking questions and gathering data. I used that information to plan for the next lesson. Although a shorter version of the action research for a school, it is an active model of inquiry. The process of asking questions and then using data to analyze what you know and do not know. This information can then be used to make informed deicsions about improvements in the school, community, or professional environment. It allows professionals to continually ask questions about their practices, work together to analyze and interpret data, and then make adjustments to those practices. It also allows for collaboration and professional discussions which is so different from the concept of teachers doing their jobs in isolation. This ongoing, collaborative, and spiraling method of making improvements is effective and an essential component of school improvement. Action research is very powerful especially when our students and circumstances change from year to year and sometimes day to day.
Analysis of how educational leaders might use blogs.
Blogs can be an excellent tool for principals to keep a journal type thought reflection of their inquiry. It is something that can easily be updated and in an interactive format. It also allows the principal to receive feedback from whomever he/she allows access to the blog. The use of blogs for data collection is also valuable. It allows the principal to return at anytime and analyze/reflect on his/her thinking.
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