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.