Week Three - Classmate's Blogs

Week Three -After reading a few classmates blogs I saw some quality ideas for their action research plans. I was most envious of Sheree's initial research idea on block scheduling vs. traditional scheduling. I believe she has since changed her direction to a new topic but I like the initial one. I personally have done both and their are pros and cons for both. My first three years in teaching were at a junior high on block scheduling. My last seven years have been in a traditional schedule setting at a high school. If I had to choose which has more positives I would say the traditional. I would especially say traditional is best in the key areas of math and science where they may be some weeks where the teacher may only see the students twice. I would hope the research would show that students need more exposure in the classroom that every other day. Anyway, it was a good topic and maybe someone will delve into this more in the future.

Week Two Reflection

The most important idea that came to mind while reflecting on the Week Two assignment is to follow what you are most interested in. While coming up ideas for possible action research topics, I felt like I was being drawn to one in particular. I really want to look into what motivates teachers in their profession. By selecting this one with the help of my campus principal, I will put much more effort into it than some topic that I have little interest in. I don't want to waste my time rehashing a topic that has been covered repeatedly before. I want to follow what I am interested in. This is the same reason I am in the teaching profession. If all I wanted to do is collect a pay check then I would have gone to work in the business world. I like teaching and coaching with the kids and that is what interests me. Maybe my interest in the action research topic can devise a way to elicit change that will benefit the students.

Uses of Blogs

Blogs are a great resource for educational development for educational leaders. Technology is here and we should use it to the best advantage. Blogs allow many people to view postings in a centralized site. Blogs are a great place for a collaborative forum and active learning and discussion to take place.

Action Research and Uses Of

The book written by Nancy Fichtman Dana provided myself with the first real in depth look at action research and the uses of it. She describes action research as "the practitioner inquiry movement focuses on concerns of practitioners (not outside researchers) and engages practitioners in the design, data collection, and interpretation of data around their question" (Dana, Nancy (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge, Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin, p.5). I have learned that action research is much more progressive than standard research. The researcher is actually inside of the research and not a bystander from the outside. With the research is done in a cyclical or spiral method consisting of "reflection and action." (Dana, 2009, p.5) Each spiral involves different steps to reach an outcome. First, the practitioner clarifies and diagnosis a practical situation that needs to improved. Second, the practitioner formulates strategies to improve the situation. Third, the practitioner implements the strategies and notes the effectiveness. Lastly, the situation is clarified and readdressed. The process will begin again after completing the steps.

As an administrator I could include action research in my position and spread it to the rest of my campus. As principal, I will make the time to reflect and evaluate a situation. The reflection time will allow me a more objective view of the situation. I would also spread the action research to department meetings where I would expect the teachers to take an active role in a situation and an ultimate solution. I would sit in the department meeting and collaborate with the teachers involved and help guide them if needed.