Final Reflections: Ready to Research

Week 5 Reflections

In week one, I learned about what action research was and how to begin asking questions to inquire about the topic I wanted to know.  I found out that action research focuses on the concerns of the practitioners. It promotes collaboration in investigating problems as they play a part by answering their own questions. Action research focuses on providing insight into administrative practices in efforts to improve or make a difference. Within week one, I learned a great deal of information about the importance of establishing a purpose and rationale for my action research plan as well as the many benefits. Action research allows for change by creating a focus on a particular need. Furthermore, it can be used for various measures such as evaluation, curriculum development, ongoing professional development, and planning. This research allows professionals to collaborate, become researchers, and life-long learners. Professionals are allowed to take action of what is going on directly in their schools and district. This type of research is not run by outsiders who are foreign to day to day school interactions. Action research helps improve the teaching and learning process. Administrators, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to engage in the inquiry process of posing questions, researching data, testing, and evaluating. In week two, I was able to begin mentally preparing my plan by hearing interviews from three notable men who went through the Lamar University program. This gave me many great insights on what I needed to concentrate on in planning my action research. The two men I discussed in my weekly blog were Dr. Timothy Chargois, Director of Research, Planning and Development in Beaumont Independent School District and Principal Briseno, Principal of Rancho Isabella Elementary of Angleton Independent School District. Principal Briseno emphasized the idea of being able to seek out the problem and the importance of backing up that research with facts and various data. He explained the importance of using confidentiality and connecting old research with new research.  Dr. Chargois explained how data can be used for many different reasons and counterparts. Also, we should use data to help increase student performance and help our students to become successful. Furthermore, I was able to uncover the passions that helped drive my thought process. In the Dana text, nine passions were discussed: staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, individual students, school culture, leadership, management, school performance, and social justice. In week three, I was able to see my plan come together as I created a draft plan using the care model template. This template helped me think about various factors in my action research such as my goals, questions, needed resources, evaluation, and timeline. In week four, I believe I learned the most from my colleagues. I had many opportunities to reflect on the blogs and discussions of others. I was impressed by the plans and gained advice on what to look for and ways to improve my research. In week four, I also was able to meet with my site supervisor. I learned about the current technology programs the district offered, received revisions for any changes for my draft plan, and I was able to create my survey letter which is the first step in my action research plan. I gained valuable feedback and key things I needed to concentrate on in my research. Finally, this week I learned about the importance of having quality indicators that would help make my action research project successful. I realized why it is so important to have things such as a timeline and how this factor alone can shape a portion of your research.  These questions allowed me to think about final questions before going into my action research plan and reflecting on what I needed to pay close attention to such as my context and purpose. In the course, I enjoyed the support and feedback from my colleagues on the weekly discussion board as well as the blog.  I was able to gain insight from others and reflect on the plans of my action research plan. This gave me many ideas and allowed me to become a participant in my learning. I hope to continue posting information on my blog in order network and collaborate. The lectures of each professor gave a leading introduction into each week and prepared me for my assignment. The book entitled, Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher by Nancy Fichtman Dana gave clear guidelines as I stayed up-to-date with my readings.

Week 3: The Plan

Purpose and Rationale:

According to the percentages, the numbers of children who are economically disadvantaged are increasing throughout our nation.  I want to look into information to help districts who have at least 70 percent of students who are economically disadvantaged. This information can be found through the Texas Education Agency AEIS yearly reports.  After looking throughout the year span of the year 2000 unto the present, I realize that the numbers are not decreasing. We are also seeing an increase in the technology of society as new ideas are continuously being expanded.  Technology is currently being studied and courses designed on how teachers can incorporate new technology into their classrooms.  Technology is not cheap. The study of this program is to find available and free resources that are cost efficient.  Technology can be anything such as the use of manipulatives. Children tend to enjoy working with technology and having virtual and hands-on experience. Recent research has shown that the technology helps bridges the gaps in achievement and our goal as educators to help increase student performance and prepare them for what is out there.  Administrators and educators want to give children who are economically disadvantaged an equal opportunity to success. The purpose of this research to find programs, partnerships, current grants, and free programs that enlighten the path of those economically disadvantaged students who may not have access to home resources.  The study will involve the research and effectiveness of current technology programs, interviews of parents and students, faculty and staff surveys, and interviews from those at the front of technology communications and programs. My study will take into account a rural area of Southeast Texas.

Action Planning Template
Goal: To seek and compose a list of at least 5000 technology programs and ideas that can benefit economically disadvantaged students in various subject areas and help increase student performance.  In what ways is technology being used to benefit our elementary students who are economically disadvantaged? What type of technology is currently being used? How do teachers feel about technology? What are free technology programs that may benefit economically disadvantaged students? How to use technology to increase student performance?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Faculty and staff will have all the needed information of how to access the technology currently used in their school	Faculty ahead of the technology department and computer services	May 2012-December 2012	Interviews with technology department leaders, technology reports, principal, and curriculum coordinator	A follow-up survey will be given on the effectiveness of now being able to access current technology and feedback given to any additional questions
The campus will know various benefits of the current technology programs	Principal, Curriculum Coordinator	May 2012- December 2012	Books, Internet Research, Lamar Resource folder, blogs, journals, surveys, and interviews	A follow-up presentation will be given with benefits including a feedback session. I will use a checklist to evaluate.
A list of 5000 technology programs and resources will be complied for economically disadvantaged students. This list will be given to faculty and staff.	Websites, various teachers of things that they use in their classrooms (even from other districts), principal, and curriculum coordinator	May 2012- December 2012	Texas Bureau, Orange &Beaumont Public Library, Blogs, Books, and Internet References	A follow-up survey will be given on the effectiveness of the list and plan.
Recommendations of what can be added to improve student performance will be given according to the research	Interviews and quotes of various teachers of what is already being done in their classrooms and what data seems to be beneficial for their students/grade level	May 2012- December 2012	Teacher and Faculty Surveys, Quotes, Books, and Internet Research	A follow-up newsletter will be sent given based on the study as well as a recommendation box

Week 2: Preparing for Action

Scholar Interviews:

Dr. Johnny Briseno, Principal, Rancho Isabella Elementary, Angleton ISD

Dr. Timothy Chargois, Director of Research, Planning, and Development in Beaumont ISD

Interview Overviews:

Principal Briseno explains how important it is to use data. Identify the problem or source of the problem and then back up your information with facts. Confidentiality is very important in the action research of the school. Names are not given to outside sources but are generalized and may help someone else in a study that they are doing. He finds that it works well if his staff talks among one another to find strategies in helping their students.  Future leaders should research and read in the area of interest for themselves. A lot of times there is already information out there about topics.

Dr. Timothy Chargois explains how research can be used and looked at in many different ways by different counterparts.  It is important to have teachers who learn to be data driven because this data can be used to impact the instruction of tomorrow.  One of the major keys to research is its purpose to increase student performance.  When conducting research, data must be secured and proper procedures set in place.  In order to become a better teacher, never stop learning. Practice research and use data to transform your own classroom.

This week I have learned that action research is very important in increasing student performance and becoming better teachers as well as administrators. The research should be data driven and based upon facts. Facts can be proven.  Future leaders should realized the importance of being life-long learners and learn how to research their own questions through research.  Action research can be used to help the future of education by starting today.