Before this class, I had not even heard of the term action research. Throughout this course I learned that action research is a systematic study of a principals own practices and making changes as a result of the findings. Action research emerges from a wondering that the principal has and paves the way for doing things better. It allows the principal to become the “head learner” of the school and can involve many people. The frame work for action research has 8 steps as mentioned in the Harris text. The steps are setting the foundation, analyzing data, developing deeper understanding, engaging in self reflection, exploring patterns, determining direction, taking action and sustaining improvement. Each step is very important in conducting a thorough and meaningful action research project. In the week one lectures we learned the importance of action research to our professional development. I learned the benefits of doing action research as well as how to get started. Dr Arterbury suggested meeting with the site supervisor and selecting two or three possible topics of interest. They also mentioned doing a mini literature review as a springboard for the action research topic. In the week one assignment I learned the different types of research and what action research was defined as. I also learned how action research works in an educational setting and the benefits from doing it. I also learned how to create my own action research blog and add comments to it throughout this process. I have enjoyed creating and reading other blogs as well as reflecting on my own blog. I feel blogs are an effective way for educators to network and share ideas with each other. Week two focused on criteria for selecting an action research topic. In the lecture, I learned there are four elements to an effective purpose. The purpose clearly tells you what you will do or look at, it is focused, it is reasonable or feasible, and it must be ethical. When I considered different topics that were relevant to my school I decided on one that I was personally interested and involved in. As mentioned in the lectures, picking a topic that you are interested in. In the assignment for week two we had to analyze two interviews by school leaders and action researcher. I enjoyed listening to these leaders discuss action research as it applied to them and their district. We also had to reflect on common action research topics in school settings and tentatively decide on an action research topic to complete at our campus. I choose to research the effects of having a school wide discipline plan. This is relevant to our campus and will provide information for our school to reflect and grow. I am excited to see where this process takes me and what I will discover along the way. In week three we began the process of creating an action research plan. The eight steps of the research cycle were discussed during the lecture. In the assignment, I created a research question and a tentative action research plan reflecting of the eight steps. I enjoyed sharing this on the discussion board and having other classmates comment on it. I discovered other classmates that were doing similar topics as well as classmates that are researching topics that I am interested in. The comments on my action research plan helped me to create a better plan as well as encouraged me on my action research plan journey. In week four I learned about different ways to improve the action research plan. Different methods for addressing the review process were discussed and I looked at ways to use these when reviewing and improving the plan. The three methods discussed were the Delphi method, force field analysis, and nominal group technique. Of the three, the force field analysis seems to be the one that will yield the greatest success. The assignment for week four also looked at the CARE model. I enjoyed this part of the assignment because it looked at what was working and needs to be kept and what needs to be changed. I think it is important to look at what is going on at the school that needs to stay while implementing any other changes. In week five we read about five quality indicators that will help us assess our own action research as well as other educators. This part of the Dana text will be important for action researchers as they reflect on their action research project and consider the next step. This class was very informative and provided me with many tools that I will use in my life as an educator. Action research is a process that is ongoing and paves the way for school and personal improvements.
Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps to improve our schools. Eye on Education Press.
