EDLD 5363 Week 1 Assignment Reflection

The most difficult part of the assignment for me was thinking of something to talk about and finding a quiet space to record my narration.  I have been creating videos for over a decade, so most of the process went smoothly for me.  I did have a little computer trouble and had to move to a different one to complete the project.

If I had more time to work on this I could incorporate more detailed images and created some of my own.  The only things I created with this was the collage of my kids and the dollar sign images to represent financial changes.

I usually find projects like this enjoyable and understand how this can be incorporated into a classroom setting. I created how to videos in my previous job on how to use various equipment and troubleshoot issues that were common among most of them. 

EDLD 5301 Course Reflection

In EDLD 5301 Research for Teachers, I was able to complete a research action plan.  I know that as my research progresses that my plan may need to evolve, but this class helped me to start with a well organized plan.

Through the use of the discussion boards and blogs, I was able to identify problems in my initial plan and make appropriate changes. 

I learned that action research is not the same as typical research.  Action research is more of an inquiry that seeks to make changes to provide improvement.  It is research which has a purpose.  Approaching the research with this definition in mind helped me to understand that my research will not be pointless.  My plan addresses clear goals that can be very helpful to my school. 

The process of action research was presented in a clear, easy to follow manner.  I now understand that any step in the process can lead back to the beginning or to a new inquiry.  As the steps are followed new information can be found that calls for changes to the original plan.  I know that some problems may arise, and now I am fully confident that I will be able to reevaluate my research and make changes to my plan as necessary.

I learned of several tools that I can use to help sustain any improvements that are made in my school.  Each tool has its own benefits.  The CARE model makes sure to include processes and projects that are working.  This helps the school keep on doing what it is doing well, when trying to solve issues in areas that need improvement.  Force field analysis is useful to help identify driving and resisting forces of a change.  This is useful when trying to determine if a change is viable.  The Delphi Method is a useful way to get a group to come to a consensus without excess meetings.  This method helps everyone to understand what is going on and does not take up too much of their time.  This is very useful for people with busy schedules that need to make informed decisions. (Harris, p 94-97)

The five quality indicators will be very useful to me in writing and presenting my research findings.  These indicators will help me to make sure my research will be relevant to others and understood by my target audience. (Dana, p. 179-184)  I will use the indicators to make sure others understand the context, my wonderings are clearly articulated and easily understood, I use enough data sources with detailed explanations of my collection process, I present my findings in a clear way, with all relevant details and support, and I implement or suggest appropriate changes based on my findings.

As I continue to work on my action research, I will post information on what I do and discover on my blog.  I will, also, continue to follow the blogs of several classmates, so I can give them helpful feedback on their projects and possibly gain some insights to help with my own project.

References

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2009). Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. Larchmont, N.Y.: Eye on Education.

Action Research Plan Revisions

My action research plan only has two revisions. 
Revision 1
I have an alternate plan.  I will be evaluating if the the teachers in the technology school are utilizing the technology.  If they do not seem to be doing this, then my plan will shift to focus on teacher development in this area.  The results of my action research will not be accurate if the teachers are not utilizing the technology, so this could be a necessary change.
Revision 2
I will still observe all the classes at the technology school because there are only eight. I will only observe two classrooms for each represented grade level (1-4) at the traditional campuses.  This will give me equal size target groups.

To view the full plan click here.

Action Research Plan Draft

The goal of this action research project is to provide evidence supporting the integration of technology into classrooms district wide.

The first activity is to observe classes taught in the technology school, to determine how classroom technology is being used, and if teachers understand how to use it.  The next activity will be to observe attentiveness and participation levels of students in classes in the technology school and those in traditional classes.  The next activity will be to compare overall student discipline issues of the technology campus with other campuses.  The next activity will be to compare discipline reports for current technology campus students with their own discipline reports of previous years before they were in the technology school.  Another activity that may be important is doing parent, student, and teacher interviews/surveys to gather information on the general attitudes toward the technology school.

Resources and research tools needed for data gathering are teacher, student and parent support for classroom observations and interview/survey participation and discipline reports for campuses.

Mid-April 2012 is the estimated implementation of activities with a completion planned for late-May/early-June 2013.

I will be the only person responsible for the implementation of this plan.

I will post updates and reflections on my blog as I perform an activity.  I will also provide this information to my site mentor, to gain feedback on my activities.

Blog use for Educational Leaders

Educational leaders can use blogs to journal what they are doing.  They can, also, use blogs to make reflections on what they have observed and changes that they have made.  Blogs can also be used to gain insight from other educational leaders through comments that are posted

Action Research

I learned that action research is more than just research.  It is an inquiry conducted by school officials, with the intent of making improvements to a school.  Principals that engage in action research make inquiries and seek out answers in their schools.  They then reflect on what they have learned and formulate a plan to make improvements. Action research is an ongoing repeating process.  The principle ask a question, makes observations,  reflects on new information, makes a plan, implements changes, then starts the process again.  When a change is implemented more questions may arise, so the principle must continue the process in order to make sure that the implemented changes are as effective as possible. School improvement is the main goal of action research, so administrators must make it a priority.  They need to set aside time from busy schedules that is focused on their action research.

Action research can involve a team of people working together to help define goals and implement changes.  Teams can consist of teachers and administrators working together in the same school or a group of administrators from different schools.  Administrators can also join blogging groups to connect with administrators from other schools in order to share their ideas, get feedback, and see what others are doing. 

I can use action research to me focus on important issues and find solutions during my internship.