Last week of 5301

The topic that has given me the greatest insight during this course is the importance of the use of action research as a tool for improvement. While reflection in most forms is a great way to find ways of improvement, action research allows a person to dig much deeper and use more formal data as a bases for decisions.

I still would like to learn about ways to make action research part of a regular routine to be used by the whole staff, not just the administration. I think time would make this an issue for teachers that already so busy, but the campus could benefit so much if everyone was working toward improvement.

I will look into writings about the topic to look for deferent ideas. I hope to find articles, books and so some interviews of those that have been able to make it happen.

Challenges

Some challenges I may face in doing my project is finding solutions and/or getting my administration to buy into possible solutions. After I have surveyed the student body on participation in extracurricular activities, I will have a list of reasons why many may not participate. I already have ideas for possible solutions for some of those; however some I may not have an answer as to how to address a solution. To deal with this challenge I will interview other schools for solutions they have used. I even hope to get ideas from my classmates in this program.

Another possible challenge I may encounter is after I have gathered solutions to the reasons why students do not participate in extracurricular activities, I may need some commitment from my administration to make changes for improvement. Some solutions may be more financially taxing than others. I will deal with this challenge by showing them the number of students that will benefit from any money spent or changes made. I will show them the overall benefits the entire campus and even community will have from improving participation. Basically the return will be worth it.

Action Planning Template
Goal: What can our school do to increase the percent of students involved in extracurricular activities on our campus?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Survey the student body at NCHS to find out how many students do or do not participate in extracurricular activities.	James Bryant, David Loyacano (principal,)  English teachers	March 2012	Surveys	Compile the survey data in a spread sheet.
Review the data from spread sheet.	James Bryant, David Loyacano (Principal)	April 2012	Survey data from spread sheet	Analyze the reasons listed for NOT participating.  Brain storm about possible solutions that would allow more students to participate.
Meet with key administrators about support for solutions.	James Bryant, David Loyacano (Principal,) Kenn Franklin (Supt)	May-August 2012	Survey and results from brain storm.	Offer new ideas for improvement to students.

In this weeks assignments I learned how important action research is to not only the principal but the entire campus.  While the principal as the leader of the campus is responsible for facilitating the learning and professional growth of the teachers on that campus, the teachers both new and more experienced, should use action research as a part of their lifetime of learning and career growth. 

 Blogging can connect you with a larger network of peers.  Educators can use a blog to collaborate with others, sharing ideas and experiences.   A blog can also be used to reach a larger audience when sharing or publishing your own writings. 

 

During the first week assignment of my 5301 Research class I have studied about using action research.  Action research is a process that uses self reflection as a tool to improve, adjust or change your actions.  What makes action research different that other forms of professional development is that it does not use outside sources to bring in the ideas of change.  The teacher or campus leadership leads a reflection time to look at how you do things and to gain a better understanding of yourself as a professional.  The action research process has four steps or phases.  Phase 1:  Define an issue to study, Phase 2:  Review of professional literature, Phase 3:  Take Action, Phase 4:  Use and Share results.   

Action research is an important part of the professional growth of an administrator.   However, a principal’s daily schedule can make it hard to find time to engage in the process.  It becomes important to make it a part of our daily schedule or a part of your normal administrative practice.

Some areas that principals can use action research are:  university classes, district meetings, public learning communities or leadership teams.  The benefits of conducting an action research centers around improving student achievement.  Through using the process, teachers can adjust instruction, have professional growth and have increased accountability.