Action Research Clarified for Me

This week action research was clarified for me. I really enjoyed the introductory video as I left feeling much more comfortable with conducting an action research. I learned that I didn’t have to “reinvent the wheel” and to make certain that the project was time, data, and financially feasible. I was glad to hear that financial feasibility should be considered as I was not looking forward to asking the administration for funds to conduct a study.

I learned that typically action research is a necessary and is needed to bring in a new project or process. It should be done to improve performance, either teacher or student. I am very comfortable with traditional research, as my original bachelors was geared towards professional school or research, so it was interesting to learn that some teachers may not be as comfortable with “research”, however all educators can collect and compare data, which is essentially research. This should be useful in clarifying the process when I am conducting research and as an administrator. I was perplexed in Dr. Lewis’s statement that “technical pieces of writing should be made to fit what is practical for the individual school”. This contradicts what we have previously learned, however my gut tells me that I misinterpreted his intention even after reviewing the video multiple times.

I also further clarified action research with the Dana readings and the nine areas of passion. I revised my verbiage so that the action research was clearer. I also gained clarification on the areas. Additionally, the Dana readings taught me that the areas overlap and that the research should not change or control educator’s practices as this is not conducive to self-discovery. Finally, the “wonderings” should not be rigid; they should be malleable and ever-changing with the discoveries that arise.

How Can Blogging Be Useful To Administrators

Educational leaders could very effectively use blogs to quickly update staff on campus news and calendars. Additionally, if an action research is taking place, to update findings or ask for input at any of the stages of research. Finally this is a more interactive, interesting approach to the daily surveys that my school sends out. This way I can view the campus opinions instead of my e-mail inbox filling with all of the “reply all” e-mails that crowd those of immediate importance.

My Thoughts on Action Research

Action research is the optimum method in which to identify and create solutions and change. These changes are in response to campus specific issues in an educational community. The verbiage “inquiry” is sometimes utilized as the word “research” conjures negative feelings although the terms “action research” and “administrative inquiry” can be used almost interchangeably. It is an intrinsic approach to studying the administrative actions of the administrative leader by the administrative leader; it is frequently reflective and honest. Action research differs from traditional research in that it is internally derived, introspective, and based on the needs of the campus students and employees rather than a university expert that proposed theoretical solutions that may not be relevant to the idiosyncrasies of the campus in review. Action research is intentional and involves the administrators and staff in the identification of the issue, collection of pertinent data, and interpretation of the data so that an effective solution can be identified. It creates a learning community and allows for ownership of the problem and solution in “solution based” atmosphere rather than the negative, punitive manner of traditional methods. It allows educators and administrators to have a voice in positive change in their community education reforms and allows members to be proactive rather that the traditional reactive approach. The administrative inquiry’s initial purpose is generally to understand facets of the school system and facilitate the appropriate changes for the student, teacher, and principal in an action research initiative.

Action research can be used to solve issues that a campus improvement team identifies or as an alternative to professional development in the schools. Some specific examples might include research that identifies the appropriate methods to use for the various levels of discipline infractions, research that identifies extra-curricular involvement versus discipline issues, or research that identifies appropriate reading levels and success of standardized tests and how to improve literacy levels. These are all issues that may be proposed in a school such as mine at our initial in-service  that would replace traditional research studies and “fad” educational programs that will be short lived and meaningless to the staff and students.