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.

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.