I started this class not knowing what action research really was. I was nervous when I read I would be creating
an action research plan, but quickly discovered the process was not nearly as
difficult as I thought. I learned by
reading “Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action
Researcher” by Dana, that action research has many steps involved in it and it
requires time and attention in order to be successful. I learned that much thought and consideration
is required when deciding the topic you want to delve into. It is important to always keep in mind that
as an action researcher our goal is to improve our staff, students, and overall
climate.
The text, “Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools” by Harris, was an
excellent book to use to guide me through the process of creating an action
research plan. It clearly lays out for
you the steps that are involved and required to carry out an action research
project. The first task I had to
undertake was to pick the topic and goal for conducting this action research. I
thought it was going to be easy to pick a topic but it proved to be a little
more difficult than I had thought. I had
several ideas and had to carefully consider each one and decide which area I
thought would be most beneficial to my school.
In the end I decided to work on discipline and set my goal to reduce discipline
referrals in 1st grade. If this can be
accomplished, than I can focus on implementing management programs across the
grades to help with discipline. After choosing my topic and goal I had to write
down step by step what I intend to do this year to work on discipline and how I
plan on monitoring what is being implemented in the 1st grade
classrooms. Once I wrote my draft action
research plan, it was incredibly helpful to receive input from my colleagues
via my blog. My fellow classmates helped
me to review my action research plan.
Suggestions were made which allowed me to add important information to
my action research plan. I never
realized how helpful being a “blogger” can be! I also think the discussion board forum is a
great resource. It allows us another way
to communicate with one another. We get
to discuss our projects, ask questions, make suggestions, and support one
another as we progress through this course together.
After
the final draft of my action research plan was written, the process can now
truly begin. The data needs to be closely followed, much reflection must be
done, and whenever applicable, changes will need to be made. I learned that this process is not always
problem free, one has to be flexible and aware that sometimes change is needed
to make something better. Conducting the
action research allows us to learn more about our chosen topic and a chance to
decide if what we are doing will truly be beneficial to those around us. Whether it is successful or not, much will be
learned by this process and hopefully we will all be walking away having done
something to better and improve our school.
