What I learned about Action Research

I learned what action research is and its benefits.  Action research or administrative inquiry as it is also called, is the intentional study of an administrator's own practice and taking action to make changes.  This type of research allows the administrator to recognize her campus' problem, ask relevant questions, analyze data and implement an action plan.  The results call for reflections to help monitor successes and failures in the plan as well as sharing findings with others who share an interest in the school's goal.  Action research provides an effective tool for teachers to improve their teaching and learning.  Reflecting back on actions often, is a way for administrators and teachers to become life long learners.  Teachers will be able to adjust instruction and make necessary changes to promote student learning.  Administrators will be able to make changes to their action plan to promote a learning environment where students can become more successful.

After learning about action research, I started thinking abut my campus and the situations where I can use this research.  I did learn also, that I am on some committees that use action research, without knowing what it was called until now.  One one of the committees that I am on is our technology committee where I see many needs for action research.  As a technology leadership major, I want to focus on the effect our newly implemented software program Success Maker 5 has on student performance on school and state assessments.

Educational leaders can use a blog to share their ideas, issues and concerns with people all over the world, not just in their school or district. It can go both ways, because educational leaders can also get new ideas from administrators, help with issues they are having and get input about their concerns that could help them come up with an action plan for their campus.  Blogging is like collaborating without taking a lot of the administrator's valuable time, but will provide valuable information to him or her.