Action Research Plan - Rina Almarez - Week 3
In week 3, we are developing a plan to carry out our inquiry process. My action research plan is accessible through the link above. Once I attend Skyward training, I know that the project will gain momentum in creating online video tutorials. I am excited to see where this goes and hope that many teachers are able to access assistance 24/7. When teachers learn to be learners in a digital world, it will help them to facilitate a similar type of learning in their classrooms!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Deciding on Action Research Wonderings
Chapter 2 of the Dana text discusses the passions that can guide your action research. There are nine:
1. Staff development
2. Curriculum development
3. Individual teacher(s)
4. Individual student(s)
5. School culture/community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School performance
9. Social justice or equity issues
I did not find it easy to narrow the search for an idea! Since I'm getting my Masters in Educational Technology, that answered part of the question. I will base my inquiry on technology integration. The videos this week suggest choosing a topic that is practical, so I am taking advantage of the new administrative software we will be using for grading and attendance, called Skyward. The text suggests choosing a topic that I am passionate about. When reading about each passion, I found myself drawn to many of them, so that did not really help me make a solid decision. Good thing we had to write about three ideas!
My action research ideas are related to individual teachers, individual students, and staff development.
1. How can we make technology integration "sticky" for teachers? How can we build in school-wide professional development to increase Web 2.0 tools? (Staff development/individual teachers)
2. How can we offer 24/7 training for Skyward to teachers? Can online training increase the use of Skyward while answering questions in short tutorials and therefore, opening up time for administrative staff during the day? (staff development)
3. How can we make technology use "sticky" for students? What collaborative sites can be safely integrated into student learning? Can we help students develop online portfolios?
So far, my site mentor and I have decided upon #2. I think that learning a new management system is the most practical application of starting action research, so I'm excited to bring some online tutorials to the staff in our district. I hope to still incorporate some of the Tipping Point ideas with Skyward. It is such an interesting look at why ideas catch on and spread so quickly.
1. Staff development
2. Curriculum development
3. Individual teacher(s)
4. Individual student(s)
5. School culture/community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School performance
9. Social justice or equity issues
I did not find it easy to narrow the search for an idea! Since I'm getting my Masters in Educational Technology, that answered part of the question. I will base my inquiry on technology integration. The videos this week suggest choosing a topic that is practical, so I am taking advantage of the new administrative software we will be using for grading and attendance, called Skyward. The text suggests choosing a topic that I am passionate about. When reading about each passion, I found myself drawn to many of them, so that did not really help me make a solid decision. Good thing we had to write about three ideas!
My action research ideas are related to individual teachers, individual students, and staff development.
1. How can we make technology integration "sticky" for teachers? How can we build in school-wide professional development to increase Web 2.0 tools? (Staff development/individual teachers)
2. How can we offer 24/7 training for Skyward to teachers? Can online training increase the use of Skyward while answering questions in short tutorials and therefore, opening up time for administrative staff during the day? (staff development)
3. How can we make technology use "sticky" for students? What collaborative sites can be safely integrated into student learning? Can we help students develop online portfolios?
So far, my site mentor and I have decided upon #2. I think that learning a new management system is the most practical application of starting action research, so I'm excited to bring some online tutorials to the staff in our district. I hope to still incorporate some of the Tipping Point ideas with Skyward. It is such an interesting look at why ideas catch on and spread so quickly.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What is Action Research?
Action Research Defined
Action research is a systematic approach to improving education while doing the work on a daily basis. Nancy Fichtman Dana describes it as "the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry (p.2)" in her text, Leading With Passion and Knowledge. Action research could be described as working inquiry.
A principal can dive deeper into a problem question that may have come up on his or her campus, research information about it, choose or formulate an action to improve the issue, analyze the results and make changes as needed, and then share the results with others on campus. Rather than other methodologies that rely on the expertise of outside researchers, the principal and his or her staff play the role of the expert. Doesn't this make sense? After all, who is better poised to understand the daily events with students than the teachers and administrators inside the school building?
Action Research in Progress
I would love to use this along with our campus' use of technology in the classroom. So many times, a new school account for a web-based tool is shared with us, or a new piece of hardware is added to our desks, and the number of staff members who jump on the bandwagon of technology integration...well, let's just say it could increase. I do believe that my campus has a lot of techno-savvy teachers on staff, however, when you're in the middle of curriculum in the middle of the year, throwing another tool into the mix is sometimes another tool that gets overlooked. Is that good use of funds? There must be information available about best practices for integration of new technology tools that can serve as a propeller for making this an action research/inquiry project at my campus. The idea of making inquiry about this topic during the year makes "research" seem approachable; as part of my job, taking the time to reflect on a focus that I am interested in because I know it is immediately applicable--that is research worth doing!
Resources:
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
I'm an Educator. Why Blog?
In this digital age, blogging has become a mainstream way of connecting with others. People blog about their families, their hobbies, their jobs, and just about any other topic. Educators are growing to value the blogging phenomenon as a way to collaborate with others in the field of education. Blogging with other experts is a way to learn new things, discuss issues, and share information. Educators can keep blogs as a means to communicate with parents, students, peers, and the community as well.
Action research is a systematic approach to improving education while doing the work on a daily basis. Nancy Fichtman Dana describes it as "the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry (p.2)" in her text, Leading With Passion and Knowledge. Action research could be described as working inquiry.
A principal can dive deeper into a problem question that may have come up on his or her campus, research information about it, choose or formulate an action to improve the issue, analyze the results and make changes as needed, and then share the results with others on campus. Rather than other methodologies that rely on the expertise of outside researchers, the principal and his or her staff play the role of the expert. Doesn't this make sense? After all, who is better poised to understand the daily events with students than the teachers and administrators inside the school building?
Action Research in Progress
I would love to use this along with our campus' use of technology in the classroom. So many times, a new school account for a web-based tool is shared with us, or a new piece of hardware is added to our desks, and the number of staff members who jump on the bandwagon of technology integration...well, let's just say it could increase. I do believe that my campus has a lot of techno-savvy teachers on staff, however, when you're in the middle of curriculum in the middle of the year, throwing another tool into the mix is sometimes another tool that gets overlooked. Is that good use of funds? There must be information available about best practices for integration of new technology tools that can serve as a propeller for making this an action research/inquiry project at my campus. The idea of making inquiry about this topic during the year makes "research" seem approachable; as part of my job, taking the time to reflect on a focus that I am interested in because I know it is immediately applicable--that is research worth doing!
Resources:
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
I'm an Educator. Why Blog?
In this digital age, blogging has become a mainstream way of connecting with others. People blog about their families, their hobbies, their jobs, and just about any other topic. Educators are growing to value the blogging phenomenon as a way to collaborate with others in the field of education. Blogging with other experts is a way to learn new things, discuss issues, and share information. Educators can keep blogs as a means to communicate with parents, students, peers, and the community as well.
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