Web Conference Reflection for EDLD 5363 on July 1, 2012

I listened to the recording for the July 1st web conference. The instructor clarified questions that students had regarding the final week assignments. She announced when the next ISTE conference is scheduled and encouraged students to attend. I learned that students will be taking practice exams for the Principal certification and that a score of 80 is required before taking the actual exam. As a student, I have many opportunities to take the practice exam prior to graduating from Lamar University. This web conference helped me understand the assignment requirements to submit them with correct information.

Web Conference Reflection for EDLD 5363 on June 18, 2012

I attended the 7pm web conference on Monday, June 18, 2012. The session was very informative regarding the Week 3 assignments. Dr. Abernathy clarified some questions students had regarding using still images or using video for the assignment. She informed the students that video recordings were to be used in this course assignment. Also, the video is a short introduction to a lesson. It was my understanding that the groups were to choose a grade level and core subject that meet TEKS standards for the video. Dr. Abernathy answered other questions regarding internship activity and graduation requirements.

Web Conference Reflection for EDLD 5363 on June 10, 2012

I attended the web conference scheduled for Sunday, June 10, 2012. It was very helpful to help me understand what is expected in the following week’s assignments, future assignments, and courses. This is the first web conference that provided clear and concise audio throughout the session. Also, I realized that my section number may change from course to course. I thought my section number would be the same throughout the duration of my degree plan.

Video Editor Podcast EDLD 5363

EDLD 5363 Week 1 Blog

This week’s assignments proved to be of great educational value for me. I have been searching for an electronic tool for making videos to view on a computer and for posting on public video websites without having to convert to a particular format. I viewed many personal digital stories from the links provided in the assignments. All of the stories were well designed and appeared professionally mastered. I used Photo Story 3 for Windows for my digital personal story. PowerPoint was helpful in creating my images that were used in my story. Now, that I know how to combine the software tools to create images and make videos the sky is the limit on what I can accomplish. Of course, I will need to enhance my imagination skills. I had to think very hard about my story and what I was going to tell. My imagination is quite simple and hard to jump start when faced with an assignment. Creating the images and making the video were enjoyable, but it seems that my voice needs some help for narration. Most often, I don’t like to hear my own voice. I feel that I need a sterner and clearer sound than what I hear playing back my narratives on the video. My colleagues will be happy for my new found knowledge because I can help them create lesson videos for their classes.

EDLD 5301, Week 5 Action Research Reflection

The EDLD 5301 Research for Teachers course, I thought, was going to be just research. Action research was Greek to me. Now I know the class was designed to provide students with the information necessary to develop research skills and prepare them to grow to be highly respected leaders. Action Research was the main focus, along with methods to identify and solve problems to support efforts of improvement. According to Ferrance (2000), Action Research “is not problem solving in the sense of trying to find out what is wrong, but rather a quest for knowledge about how to improve.”
During this course, I learned the definition of action research; studied methods in completing the process, used the tools to organize data, and prepared an action research plan. There are several recommended steps in the data analysis process. Collecting and reviewing data to form a description of problems that have occurred is a step in the beginning. Reviewing and organizing data to determine patterns in the occurrences is the next step in the process. Interpreting and illustrating the patterns is a step in forming a statement of the results. The final step is to evaluate the results and continue toward the process of improving the school environment. The Action Planning Template provided a guide to assist students with preparing a practical action research plan.
The four methods of action to sustain improvement; The Force Field Analysis, The Delphi Method, Nominal Group Technique, and The Care Model (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs 2010) will be valuable tools for me to use in my current leadership role. The Care Model Tool and its components seem to be an effective way to continue observations for school improvement. This method identifies problem areas that need to be changed and processes that are essential to remain unchanged. The Care Model seems to provide the most acceptable technique in including staff, building teamwork, and making changes only in areas of needing improvement.
The process of action research is continuous. It is used for identifying problems where improvement is necessary. It is not a process to meet a deadline nor will it have a check mark placed beside it on a To Do list.

References
Ferrance, E. (2000). Themes in Education: Action Research. Providence, RI: Brown University. Retrieved from: http://www.lab.brown.edu/pubs/themes_ed/act_research.pdf
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. (2010). Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps from Analysis to Action. Larchmont, N.Y.: Eye on Education.

EDLD 5301, Week 4 Action Research Reflection

This week I focused on the final touches of my Action Research Draft and defining the timeframe for implementation and completion. It is difficult to specify a definite completion date when there is anticipation of something happening that may force changes to be made in the plan. I reviewed several action research plans. All of the action research plans that I reviewed seemed interesting and I hope to see the end results. It is amazing how each action research is unique.

We studied Strategies for Sustaining Improvement in the workplace. I have personally participated in the Nominal Group Technique. This activity took a whole Saturday, but it was interesting and fun. I believe we all exercise the technique of Force Field Analysis on a daily basis. It seems that operational procedures are continuously being revised, and employees are constantly looking for the best way to conform to forced changes. The Delphi Method is a good technique to use for encouraging employee participation and creating positive changes. Employees are involved in identifying problem situations, and participate in making decisions that are beneficial to school improvement.

School improvement is a top priority for leadership. Administrators are always evaluating and searching for ways to make improvements

EDLD 5301 Action Research Plan

EDLD 5301 Week 3 Action Research Reflection

The main focus this week was to clarify my action research subject inquiry in a manner for everyone to understand the intended goals and objectives, and to meet the desired outcome. I learned there are many steps to accomplish from beginning to end of an action research project. Just this week, I realized that action research requires a lot of time, thought processing, asking questions, and conducting research to support an inquiry. As a school leader we must always be aware of our surroundings, and make mental notes or keep journals to keep up with the fast paced daily activities. Action research begins with gathering information that provides the background for an inquiry, just like an investigation in a crime scene. An event occurs, a group of officers investigate the event and gather pieces of evidence to support a theory, information is shared with others to form a conclusion, and then a report is prepared and shared with officials. Conclusions may not always provide the desired outcome. There will always be occurrences that challenge the boundaries. This is why school leaders must continue to be prepared to listen to students and staff, observe daily activities on campus, absorb facts, be quick responders, and take necessary action to support a positive climate.

The most interesting information that I read this week was about building interpersonal trust. This section of the textbook provided me with a new outlook on organizational trust issues. While reading the information in the chapter, I started thinking about my current and past employment organizations and whether I considered them low-trust or high-trust. We all operate on values and trust is one of high importance.

EDLD 5301, Week 2 Action Research Reflection

This week’s lessons focused heavily on assimilating action research questions and inquiries. I wasn’t aware of the many topics where issues and concerns might become an action research project. Providing examples of action research for the nine areas of major wonderings really challenged my thinking abilities. It would have been so easy to use the examples from the Dana text.

The scholar lecture videos we watched were very helpful in identifying action research topics, and purposes for action research. The Dell Foundation action research project proposal was interesting. I may follow that research project to find out if the results proved to be successful. I believe the concept of school climate moving toward performance management will increase student performance, and create a positive learning environment for everyone. With the proposed performance management based climate, students may choose to stay in school and graduate with a diploma rather than drop out and obtain a GED.

I have been working on my action research topic, and spent many hours studying and refining my question. After completing the assignment for this week, I think that I am finally getting better at developing action research questions.

Today, I assisted another employee in my school district by completing a survey on his action research project. Plus, I tested his survey site by attempting to complete the survey twice. It didn’t work, the survey website page reminded me that I had already submitted my answers. I enjoyed the experience, and acquired a technology resource for conducting a survey in future action research activities.

EDLD 5301, Week 1, How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs

Blogs are an electronic communication medium that leaders may use for personal or business reasons. School leaders may use blogs to capture thoughts and store information or ideas. Blogs can be used for communicating with peers worldwide or within a small community. Sometimes blogs are used to maintain a log of daily workplace occurrences that may require specific attention in the near future such as an action research activity.

EDLD 5301, Week 1, Action Research Reflection

I believe that action research is a positive approach to encourage changes in a school environment. It provides flexibility by allowing staff input through collaborative efforts, fosters positive change, and most often recommendations for change are accepted.

The action research process is a series of data collection activities. The process begins with a problem, issue, question or inquiry. Once the issue is clearly defined, the next part of the process is to identify objectives and establish procedures for assessment to achieve the desired outcome or meet objective goals. The last phases are implementation of an action plan, and evaluation of results. Artifacts are collected as documentation of the research activities.

As a school leader, I will be responsible for ensuring everyone adapts to changes that occur everyday and responsible for maintaining order and successful instruction practices. There is a substantial amount of new and updated technology resources introduced on a daily basis. Economic stability and budgets for new curricular resources may be limited. Changes in student population, cultural diversity, and school environment happen more frequently than in the past. Students and staff may require assistance with conflict resolution expertise. Mastering the process of action research is a good survival and success method for school leaders.

I have learned that there is a specific term, namely “action research,” that describes the methodology I attempt to use when making important decisions.