My thoughts...

 My experience in EDLD 5310, Research for Teachers, has changed the way I view research completely.  Previously, I did not have a very positive outlook towards research.  My experiences with traditional research have been very boring and tiresome, with many hours spent reading old literature from “experts”, who sometimes never actually experienced the topic or situation they were discussing.  This happens so many times in education; experts have great ideas or theories on improving the classroom, but they have never stepped foot in a class or taught before. As stated by Dana in Leading with Passion and Knowledge (2009), “…research paradigms have generated valuable insights into the teaching and learning process, they have not included the voices of the people who work in the trenches of the school building on a daily basis…” Action research opened my eyes to totally different way of collecting data, as well as easier methods.  It also has shown me a way of gathering information from educators who have experienced this knowledge personally.

While I was reflecting back on the weeks past, I have been trying to remember what part of action research surprised me the most.  I was really surprised to read that we could obtain our research data by researching previously uploaded data from the internet.  This is, after all, how most of today’s knowledge is expressed and gained.  The internet has become as common to teaching as pencils and papers.  Ideas for improving teaching, worksheets, lab instructions and PowerPoint’s are just some of the multiple researches I acquire from the internet.  Adding research to the list will be a very helpful and “user friendly” part of my schedule. 

As “user friendly” and convenient as the internet may be, there are other sources for us to use in our research that are readily available.  Experienced teachers and administrators serve as a great way of collecting data.  These data collections could be as simple as walking up to a teacher on their conference period or scheduling a formal meeting with your principal.  “Although interviewing can be informal and spontaneous, often important data are revealed when they are more thoughtfully planned out” (Leading with passions and Knowledge, Dana pg. 78) This statement by Dana suggest to me that action research can be done in an informal setting, but suggest that it be planned out.  For you to achieve the greatest and qualitative data, having time to plan out an interview would be most beneficial.  I have plans to do this while collecting data on my research topic of “What professional development would be most beneficial to the teachers at Farley Middle School”. One-on-one meetings will be an easy way of collecting data, as well as teachers’ feelings towards the professional development they are receiving.

Of all the different research sources I have discovered while taking EDLD 5310, the use of internet blogs was by far the most surprising.  I, for one, was not experienced in blogs or blogging before taking this class.  Reading a blog for research and also creating a blog is defiantly and new experience for me.  Beyond the initial technology scare, I have resized the potential for research with blogs.  You are able to follow and read information posted by professionals that are bases on real life, first hand experiences.  “Principal bloggers Steve Polling and Jan Borelli discuss the power of blogging for principals: One of the most powerful practices in our professional development has been blogging about our thoughts and experiences about being principals…” (Leading with passion and Knowledge, Dana, pg. 150).  The technology we have these days allow anybody to access knowledge from around the world.  With the ability to blog, we can share our first hand experiences and ideas with an entire world audience, not just people in our secluded areas. To me, this is one of the best parts I have learned from action research.

Overall, my experiences with EDLD 5301 have been enjoyable.  The readings were full of information that I found useful and relevant, more so than other topics.  I hope that I will be able to not only improve my action research performance in the future, but also gain enough experience to share and teach others.  This is a useful tool for any educator, not just administrators, which should definitely become a norm for educators in the future. 

Action Research Plan

The action research topic I have chosen is “What professional developments would be most beneficial to teachers at Farley Middle School?”  I chose this topic because I feel the professional development we receive does not always benefit all teachers. Improvements in the subject, as well as the implementations of our professional development would benefit not only teachers at my school, but other schools in my district.

Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation

The goal of my research is to improve the professional development at Farley Middles School.  Included in the goal is not only the way we received the development, but the subject and content matter.

Activities designed to achieve the objectives

To achieve my goal of determining what improvements we need to make in our professional development, I will need the assistance of some outside resources. The majority of the outside resources will be surveys and input forms from teachers at my school.  By using these surveys, I will gain knowledge as to what development teachers want to receive.  I will also research what professional development teachers receive at other middle schools in the area.  This information should be available by using the internet to view these schools websites or by contacting these schools and asking for information.

Resources and research tools needed for data gathering

For me to accomplish my goal of determining what professional development is needed at my school, Farley Middle school, I will need to gather data from the teachers who work here.  I will collect this information through surveys that I can send via email, allowing teacher a timeslot as well as an easy way of responding.  I also hope to collect the same information from other schools in the surrounding area.  By using email and the internet as ways of collecting my data, I will be able to collect more information with a much smaller time restraint. 

Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities

The timeline for completing of the data collection and implementation of the data need to be completed before our next scheduled professional development time slots.  Since my district provides the majority of our professional development at the beginning of the school year, before the first day of school, I have a few months to collect, analyze and present the data to my administrators.

Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan

The person who is mainly responsible for the implementation of the actin research plan is me, but I will also need the assistance of a few other teachers and administrators.  For collecting the data, I hope to receive assistance from a few other teachers, particularly ones who are working on action research of their own and would like to gain more experience.  The administrator I will need assistance from in my site supervisor, Mr. Baird.

Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives

To assist in monitoring the progress of my research, I will place check points on dates when particular “assignments” are due.  Keeping a record of these events and future events will help me stay on track.  As a teacher and now a student, again, I understand the importance of keeping track of each assignment.  This way, I am assured to not get off target or lose track of time.

Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study

Since my action research project pertains to teachers and their professional development, I will need to wait until next school year has begun and we have concluded our professional development.  I will conduct a survey to see which teachers felt like their expectations were met, or who felt they needed to more.  Only then will I be able to determine the effectiveness of my action research study.

Difficulties in Data

This week, I have come to realize the importance of data collection, dissection and usage in our schools.  I have always known that data is a useful tool, but now I realize I need to use this tool more often.  I feel my training on desegregating data is not where it needs to be, so I plan on researching area of improvement.  I can share these with my administrators and hopefully use them in future professional development.  This would really help all teachers at my school.  Every little bit of help counts!

Superintendents and blogging

Superintendents could use blogs as a way of sharing information about the district with the community.  Emails are usually directed towards school employees only, but with a blog, they could access more of the people outside of their schools.  During time of much needed community support, for example, the months before a school bond will be voted on, it would be beneficial to get the information about the bond out to the public.  Passing out papers is in the past.  Get the information on the internet and more people will get reached than ever before.

Action Research

Any time I think about the word “research”, I imagine myself sitting in a dimly lit library, reading books written my people who have been dead for many years.  It is not a pleasant thought or anything I would imagine as enjoyable. As I have read more about action research these past few days, I have come to the conclusion that this type of research is not like anything I have ever known.

What really appeals to me about action research is that I can gain my insight or information from sources other than books.  As an educator, I know the importance or reading and digesting information that you have read.  But let’s be honest, this can really become dull and tiresome.  I really like that my research can come from sources such as blogs or personal insight from other people.  You can have open discussion with PLC groups, read more personal information or thoughts on a blog or just read up to date information from a credible internet source.  This not only keeps the research from boring you to death and allows for a more “personal” perspective on ideas.

I fell that action research would be useful in any situation that needs a new or up-to-date perspective on an idea or situation that you might have.   Listening to a group of people discuss ideas from actual experience seems more insight full than reading some idea that one person has theorized.  Using action research can also allow multiple people to contribute their ideas and findings, helping to secure a feeling of unity in a work environment.

Of all the ways in which action research can be useful, having the ability to easily share your information and read others is just as important as the research itself.  In the society we live in, information and technology change every day.  Having the ability to keep up with this change and integrate it into the improvement of your school system seems like a great benefit.