The Action Research Course, EDLD 5301, encourages the habit of lifelong learning through inquiry. This course challenged my traditional understanding and definition of research and gave me tools to undertake action-oriented research which can directly benefit students and other educators. Dana defines administrative inquiry, or research, as “the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry” (Dana, 2).
This course taught me that there are many contexts in the educational setting for conducting inquiry. In Leading with Passion and Knowledge, Dana states that there are four contexts ripe for inquiry-university coursework, district meetings, leadership teams, and professional learning communities (Dana, 20). Leadership teams are of special interest to me. Leadership teams are campus based teams initiated by the principal and usually consist of campus administrators and three or more classroom teachers (Dana, 21). These teams work to produce a culture of shared collaboration. When I have the opportunity to serve as an administrator, I plan to implement a leadership team and hope to make inquiry a regular team practice.
Nancy Dana relies on the old adage “It’s the journey, not the destination” when discussing the action research cycle (Dana, 172). Leading involves being part of a continuous cycle of school improvement. School leaders should look to inquiry as a means to take charge of their professional development and continue to improve their practice (Dana, 173). Researchers should also make every effort to produce quality research findings that are transferable to other school leaders. In conclusion, this research course introduced me to a new understanding of applied research that will help me, as a future school leader, continue the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Time for Action
Below is my action research plan. I hope to work through this process successfully. Unfortunately, my copy/paste didn't insert the document as the table in which it was created. If anyone knows how to help me with this, please comment!
Topic: How does the newly developed full inclusion model affect special education students in Kerrville I.S.D.?
Research Steps:
1. Choose appropriate topic and gain site supervisor approval.
2. Determine intial administrator questions to begin research process.
3. Conduct inital interviews.
4. Identify specific research sample for inquiry.
5. Request neceassary student data (TAKS, INOVA, portfolio) for sample population.
6. Create and administer student survey to sample population to determine feelings/perceptions about inclusion.
7. Conduct classroom observations of inclusion classrooms.
8. Research other inclusion models in schools with similar demographics.
9. Evaluate data collected.
10. Meet with site supervisor to discuss research findings.
11. Prepare a summary report of research findings.
12. Share findings with appropriate audience(s).
Topic: How does the newly developed full inclusion model affect special education students in Kerrville I.S.D.?
Research Steps:
1. Choose appropriate topic and gain site supervisor approval.
2. Determine intial administrator questions to begin research process.
3. Conduct inital interviews.
4. Identify specific research sample for inquiry.
5. Request neceassary student data (TAKS, INOVA, portfolio) for sample population.
6. Create and administer student survey to sample population to determine feelings/perceptions about inclusion.
7. Conduct classroom observations of inclusion classrooms.
8. Research other inclusion models in schools with similar demographics.
9. Evaluate data collected.
10. Meet with site supervisor to discuss research findings.
11. Prepare a summary report of research findings.
12. Share findings with appropriate audience(s).
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Defining Research Topic of Interest
In this week's research course, students are asked to choose a possible research topic. Below is my post from this week's discussion board-
Initial wondering question: How does the district's recently implemented full inclusion model for special education students impact teachers and students?
Purpose: To determine the impact of full inclusion on regular classroom teachers, special education teachers, and on student performance.
Who will benefit: I hope that my research will uncover both the positive and negative aspects of full inclusion.
I was originally considering research on the impact of providing an additional activity for uninvolved high school students. I hoped to explore how such an actiivity might affect the drop out rate and impact student grades. However, this project is not feasible at this time.
I am interested in the full inclusion plan at our school because I left the district 3.5 years ago. At that time, the only inclusion I had experienced was having hearing impaired students incorporated into my classroom with an interpreter for non-core subjects. For the 8 years that I taught, resource teachers taught outside of the classroom and students were sent to the resource teachers for support. I have had the opportunity to speak informally with a resource teacher in my district and was interested in learning more about the impact of this new inclusion model on teachers and students. I plan to interview teachers, students, administrators, and to use test data to determine the impact that inclusion is having in our district. I think this will benefit me as I prepare to return to the educational setting next year.
I am not sure if my topic is focused enough. I may need to narrow my focus and concentrate only on stduent performance.
Initial wondering question: How does the district's recently implemented full inclusion model for special education students impact teachers and students?
Purpose: To determine the impact of full inclusion on regular classroom teachers, special education teachers, and on student performance.
Who will benefit: I hope that my research will uncover both the positive and negative aspects of full inclusion.
I was originally considering research on the impact of providing an additional activity for uninvolved high school students. I hoped to explore how such an actiivity might affect the drop out rate and impact student grades. However, this project is not feasible at this time.
I am interested in the full inclusion plan at our school because I left the district 3.5 years ago. At that time, the only inclusion I had experienced was having hearing impaired students incorporated into my classroom with an interpreter for non-core subjects. For the 8 years that I taught, resource teachers taught outside of the classroom and students were sent to the resource teachers for support. I have had the opportunity to speak informally with a resource teacher in my district and was interested in learning more about the impact of this new inclusion model on teachers and students. I plan to interview teachers, students, administrators, and to use test data to determine the impact that inclusion is having in our district. I think this will benefit me as I prepare to return to the educational setting next year.
I am not sure if my topic is focused enough. I may need to narrow my focus and concentrate only on stduent performance.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Educational Leadership and Blogging
Blogging has the obvious advantage of capturing a person's thoughts chronologically. Blogs can be thought of as a journal but have the added advantages of being accessible anywhere there is an internet connection, allowing others to view and comment on what is written, and of providing space for the author to add pictures, links, and other data. Blogging has obvious applications in action research. As educators share thoughs, outcomes, and discoveries while conducting action research, they can take action based on these findings. Blogs can be shared with collaborative team members or with parents, students, and community stakeholders. Blogs can be kept in an open or closed community depending on the blog's purpose. Reflective journaling is an integral part of data collection in the action research process.
Research Redefined
I recently entered my second graduate studies course in the field of educational administration. I felt apprehensive when viewing the course title: Research. The word research fills me with memories of finding sources, properly quoting information, and turning in assignments to professors in hopes of meeting their expectations. One of my assigned readings for the week was Leading with Passion and Knowledge by Nancy Fichtman Dana. The first chapter of this book challenged my preconceived notions of research. Dana introduces the term action research and explains it as focused on providing insight into an administrator's own practice in order to make changes and improve the school. The process is cyclical as well-it doesn't end with handing over a paper for academic approval. In other words, this research method has very practical applications.
Action research challenges another long-held belief of many administrators: sharing difficulties or admitting that something needs to be studied is a sign of weakness. I can easily recall situations in which administrators were asked a question and I could see a moment of hesitation before a hasty answer was given. I believe that administrators should embrace the unknown and admit that they might not have all of the answers. Action research is a means to address the unknown and determine the best course of action for any given situation.
An unexpected benefit I uncovered when reading Dana's text is that action research, by its very nature, has the ability to help educators overcome feelings of isolation. When joining an action research team, you are forced to collaborate with a group and have meaningful discussions about current educational practices. In my past research experiences, the research process itself was primarily an isolated study on an individual topic. After completing my initial readings on action research, I feel very encouraged by the process and am happy to challenge my long held views on research.
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