Week 2 Reflection

This week has been very difficult for me to get anything accomplished.  My internet went down and spent an hour on the phone with AT&T only to come out with more waiting until they can get a technician out.  Monday I will finally get someone at my home to install/fix my internet.

 I have emailed my building principal to get approval for my action research plan.  My site supervisor is okay with my research plan but suggested I get permission from the building principal. I feel that implementing an intramural program would have a positive effect on students involvement in the school setting leading to better attendance which will lead to better student performance.  This week has provided a great deal of background into action research and ways to improve other areas in education.

How educational leaders might use blogs.

Educational leaders can use blogs for a multitude of reasons. I think the biggest reason is to help keep a line of communication open between all groups within a school.  Having a form for employees in the building to ask questions and make suggestions with ultimately help with campus moral. Blogs can also help with informing the community of activities or research that is currently taking place at the school.

What I have learned about action research and How I might be able to use it

After completing the reading and watching videos, I feel I have learned a great deal about action research.  Initially, I was a little overwhelmed with the thought of compiling and action research plan.  After completing the text book readings by Harris and Dana and the video by Dr Aterbury and Dr. Jenkins, I found the information extremely resourceful and soon put my mind at ease.  Action research is the ability to study realistic situations or problems that one may face at their current place of employment.  This process creates ownership and becomes more likely for a change or improvement to occur due to this ownership in the problem and possible solutions.   Action Research is a continuous cycle of studying, reflecting and changing based on inquiries done. Simply stated what successful teachers do after completing units or certain TEKS for a class.  It promotes important feedback on effective practices and improvements needed, allows for new understandings to current situations, and allows the opportunity to share these  results and new understandings with others.  Action research allows for self -reflection and personal job analysis in order to improve yourself instead of relying on an outside source for evaluation of the job, needs, or successes of that person.