As an educational leader, I can see a number of ways to use blogs. One is simply as a means to post thoughts and ideas for my own use, sort of a reflective electronic journal. When I review my paper journals, I usually find common threads of thought that help me make decisions. How much more powerful when it can be accessed 24/7, especially since I don't have to read my own writing.
Blogs also allow others to view and comment on postings. This lets them make suggestions that could lead to improvement not only for the blogger, but also for those who read the comments. As a part of this project, I am looking forward to reading and getting ideas from the posts of other bloggers as well as entering into an ongoing dialogue. In addition, I hope to see suggestions for my work from my colleagues.
Blogging can also facilitate the creation of online Professional Learning Communities. Instead of meeting face-to-face, educators (and others) can share ideas through blogs that can benefit all of the members. Bloggers can post questions or concerns that can then be answered from a variety of viewpoints with many potential solutions.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Action Research- "I wonder....?"
Welcome to my Action Research Project blog. These posts will be devoted to an action research project that I am completing as I work toward principal certification.
This week, I have been studying administrative inquiry, or action research, in my Lamar University Research course. It was interesting to note how the basic steps were similar to scientific inquiry, which I teach in my science classes. Basically, action research is a process of systematically studying one's own adminstrative practice and taking action for change based on what is learned. It starts with posing questions, or "wonderings," then proceeds through a process of gathering data, making changes, reflecting on and sharing the results, then repeating the process based on new information (Dana, 2009). For my purposes, action research will be used to bring about school improvement as well as reflecting on and improving my leadership abilities.
At present, I see myself using action research in one of two areas depending on the needs of my school. The first idea is to conduct a study of the implementation of a new character education program. I have a few "wonderings" here. I wonder how discipline and academics will be affected by the new program? I wonder what changes will need to take place to improve the program as the year continues? I wonder how this program will affect extracurricular activities? I wonder how overall morale at the campus will improve if the program is successful? I wonder what will need to take place for all teachers to be on board?
The second idea is to study the effects of the use of Ipods and podcasting technology on math and science scores. I am still thinking this one through. Last year, I used this technology and saw improved motivation among my students but was not able to correlate that to any type of standardized testing results.
Reference
This week, I have been studying administrative inquiry, or action research, in my Lamar University Research course. It was interesting to note how the basic steps were similar to scientific inquiry, which I teach in my science classes. Basically, action research is a process of systematically studying one's own adminstrative practice and taking action for change based on what is learned. It starts with posing questions, or "wonderings," then proceeds through a process of gathering data, making changes, reflecting on and sharing the results, then repeating the process based on new information (Dana, 2009). For my purposes, action research will be used to bring about school improvement as well as reflecting on and improving my leadership abilities.
At present, I see myself using action research in one of two areas depending on the needs of my school. The first idea is to conduct a study of the implementation of a new character education program. I have a few "wonderings" here. I wonder how discipline and academics will be affected by the new program? I wonder what changes will need to take place to improve the program as the year continues? I wonder how this program will affect extracurricular activities? I wonder how overall morale at the campus will improve if the program is successful? I wonder what will need to take place for all teachers to be on board?
The second idea is to study the effects of the use of Ipods and podcasting technology on math and science scores. I am still thinking this one through. Last year, I used this technology and saw improved motivation among my students but was not able to correlate that to any type of standardized testing results.
Reference
Dana, N. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
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