Week 2: Real Life Research Examples

This week’s readings, videos, and lectures focused on examples of action research in educational settings.  These examples helped me to identify my action research topic and provided me with a clear purpose describing why this action research project is important in my professional development.  After completing Week 2 of Action Research, I now better understand the skills needed to successfully lead my action research project, and I am familiar with areas frequently identified by school leaders needing further research:  Staff development; Curriculum development; Individual teacher(s); Individual student(s); School culture/community; Leadership; Management; School performance; and Social justice or equity issues.

The Dana text enlightened me on the possibility that during the course of my inquiry I may discover that my initial wondering may need to be tweaked, or I may learn something along the journey that alters the direction of my original path.  The important thing to remember if this happens is to keep track of the decisions I make as an inquirer along the way, as articulating changes in course can be an important piece of what I am learning.

Dana, N. F.  (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action     

           Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

How can educational leaders use blogs?

Educational leaders can use blogs to integrate technology into the classroom in a variety of ways.  Educators can use blogs to create discussions, to inform and update students on upcoming assignments and events; as homework assignments; to develop writing skills, for peer reviews; surveys, and for mentoring.  Blogging as a form of data collection can be a very powerful tool (Dana, 2009, pg. 87).

What I learned and how I plan to use it.

Based on my own life's experiences, I know that there is no one "perfect" method for solving life's dilemmas; however, I have learned that conducting action research is the best effort when it comes to making a dramatic difference in the lives of students, staff, and the community as I seek to prepare them for life.  I have also learned the difference between action research and traditional educational research.  Action research refers to the process of a leader engaging in his/her practice and taking action for change based on what is learned as a result of the inquiry; while traditional educational research is research is conducted by outsiders.  Action research involves the gathering of data from a variety of sources and from people who are actually on the campus.  This gathering of data helps develop a crystal clear picture of the problem and helps the researcher develop a solution that fits.  Unlike traditional educational research where the question surrounding the study is focused on processes or impacts, action research is focused on giving insight on how to make a change.  I plan to use action research to investigate the many advantages collaboration and mentoring programs have in increasing collegial support.  Through action research, I plan to investigate the effects such programs have on student achievement, teacher retention, and teacher satisfaction.

Dana, N.F. (2009).  Leading with passion and knowledge.  The principal as action Researcher.
     Thousand Oaks, CA:  Corwin Press.