Week 3 Reflection

As this process grows I plan on continuing to share my findings and results on the Action Research blog with my peers for their review and critiques. Their input will be helpful to ensure that I do appropriate and comprehensive research to gain insightful knowledge and come to the proper conclusions.

I believe it will also be important to hare my findings with my site supervisor whom I am working with very closely with on this topic. We have begun open collaboration and brainstorming. We will also reflect at the end of the year on the results and findings from the action research plan. At that point we can make any changes as necessary and hopefully implement the system the next year if all findings lead us to that conclusion.

Lastly, I will continue to review findings and data with my group. This group for the district wide study will be weighted toward this specific action plan, and will include my site supervisor, other post graduate students, and the counselors in charge of report cards. We will be meeting on a regular basis to discuss the book and required reading, as well as reviewing our findings from Internet resources and other school districts that have already shifted to a two-fold reporting system.

Week 2 Reflection

I think that several parts to this weeks reading that were interesting. Especially the information concerning the 9 Passions of action research. What I think is really interesting is why we study some of these topics and yet do not utilize the information gathered. There is all types of information regarding a positive school climate and yet most principals do not approach their school climate in the ways research indicates will help their teachers and therefore their students successful.

I also found the video interviews to be interesting as well. I appreciate the fact that it was mentioned that not all action research has to be formal. There is already a lot of information out there and there is no point in re-inventing the wheel.

Action Research

Action research is a form of research which can be helpful to educators as well as other research areas. The use of action research can confirm when a change is needed and aids in putting a plan in place to provide positive change. Action research will also aid in the monitoring of the change as well as evaluating it effectiveness. Action research uses reflection as a means for identifying issues which may need to be addressed. Data must be collected on the issue and must be analyzed carefully. Action research is different from traditional research which generally stopped at the research of an issue in that it provides the plan needed to put change into place. Action research allows for continued professional development among teacher's and administrators. The use of action research in courses such as, Professional Learning Communities and Leadership teams is a valuable tool in targeting areas that may need improvement. Teachers can use action research to improve instruction in their own classes, while PLC's can use it as a tool to solve issues that may arise throughout a school year. When all is said and done action research is a means by which positive change is made in a school culture.

Blogs in Education

Blogs are already being use extensively in eduaction. As a matter of fact this will be the second one that I am currently using. I use blogs in my classes as a means to provide added detailed information to my students which they may have access to at home or from another classroom or library. Blogs are also useful for educators to collaborate with other educators when it would be virtually impossible except for at conferences and seminars. Blogs makes it possible to collaborate litereally at any time of the year on any subject. While there are a lot of things about blogs I may not know, I am curious as to the ways that they can be used for better communications.