Tuesday, July 3, 2012
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.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
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.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
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
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
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