My Action Research Plan

Action Research Ideas

This week I have spent some time thinking about potential research topics. I spent time with my site supervisor discussing problems that exist on our campus and how they . Our timcould be fixed. Our time was well spent and I was able to generate the following 3 research topics feom our conversation.

3 Action Research Ideas:

1. Implementing the use of everyday technology such as the iPod and iPhone into the classroom to decrease student behavior issues and increase student productivity.

2. Developing a process to reduce our campuses growing number of students who are failing classes and having to retake the same class the following year causing there to be unnecessary sections that take away teacher availability that could be used to teach new innovative courses.

3. Developing a plan to effective police our campuses senior off-campus lunch policy in which it is currently easy for underclassmen to leave for lunch as well slipping out with the seniors.

Not Another Blog!

Blogs provide a new and fun way to provide personal news to whoever wishes to see it. In the case of educational leaders it provides a great way to communicate with stakeholders. Educational leaders can use a blog to notify stakeholders about important dates and information. A blog could also bring to light student success stories on campus. It could also be used as a way to convey the mission of the school and to show ways in which the school is moving toward that goal. A blog is a great supplement to a school website and adds a more personal touch.

What in the World is Action Research?

I knew little about what action research was before completing the assigned readings for the week. Upon reading about this research technique I was excited and ready to begin using it. Action research provides an opportunity for members within the school to become problem solvers. It is a systematic approach to identifying and solving problems that deal with the students, teachers, and administrators in your building. Action research, by nature, fosters collaboration among colleagues as they develop into lifelong problem identifiers and solvers. Action research also is intended to lead to action and unlike other research techniques it is cyclical and the process never stops.
Most educators are currently using some form of action research and they don't even know it. The beautiful thing about action research is that it provides a systematic framework that is data driven and intentional in dealing with problems specific to your situation. Traditional research techniques attempt to provide a "one size fits all" which we all know is ineffective due to the unique, specific challenges faced by each school. I am excited to begin using this research method in my career as an educator, but I also see how it will be useful in all areas of my life as become a problem solver.