My reflection

Throughout this course, I have learned that action research can be used to improve classroom, campus, and even district achievement. I believe student achievement improves when learning environments are bettered. Action research is a tool that can be used in order to take practical inquiries from educators, research those inquiries, and use the data to enhance the learning environment.

During the first week of this course, I began watching the lecture video. Dr. Arterbury and Dr. Jenkins began explaining the process of action research, and what was expected. Dr. Arterbury suggested some tips to use when searching the literature and drafting my literature review summary. Those tips included staying on topic, creating a visual road map for the reader, beginning my outline with an introductory statement, understanding that general-to-specific flow works best, creating a varied blend in writing, and concluding with summary statements. As I progressed through the lectures during this course, they became more informative, and helped me feel at ease when creating my Action Research plan.

After watching the video lectures from the second week of this course, I was able to discern the difference between action research and traditional educational research. Action research can be tailor made to the needs of a specific classroom, campus, or even district, whereas traditional research tends to be more generalized. Dr. Kirk Lewis explained how action research should be performed on a topic that is of importance to you. He stated, “What is practical to you? What do you need to know in order to apply it directly to student learning in the environment you are looking at?” Someone’s traditional educational research may yield completely different results from action research of the same topic. I have learned that action research allows us to adapt and modify to our own needs within our classroom or school. What may work within one classroom, may not work within another.

Another important aspect of action research I have learned through this course is the importance of data. Johnny Briseno talked about the importance of data when he stated, “What is the problem, and where is the problem coming from?” Without accurate data, we are unable to determine the source of the problem. Action research allows the educator to collect data on a more personal level, and use that data to directly affect his/her own classroom.

The assignments and activities for this course were at times very frustrating and very time consuming. However, with the help and aide of the discussion board, I understood that I wasn’t alone in my frustration. The discussion board is truly a beneficial tool when working on assignments and activities. It allows for real-time feedback from other students in the class, and helps me to make positive and effective changes to my assignment or activity.

Another valuable tool that I will take away from this class is the idea of using a blog for professional reasons. I have a personal blog that I use to keep my friends and family members updated on the happenings in my life. I have never thought of using it as a means to disseminate information to students, parents, and colleagues. I look forward to using this tool in the upcoming year, and am curious about all the possible ways it can be utilized.

To be honest, I was a little apprehensive at the beginning of this course because of the word “research”. I have never really enjoyed traditional research, but have realized how advantageous action research can be. I now have the ability to determine inquiries that could positively affect the learning environment, as well as a plan of action to research those inquiries. I understand the importance of asking questions, and that when we ask those questions we are exploring new ideas on how to improve our schools.

Sitting down with my site supervisor

With school rapidly approaching, I took the time this week to sit down with my site supervisor and discuss my action research plan in detail. Several weeks ago, we agreed that an inquiry into the current campus tardy policy had the potential to benefit the entire school. After completing my draft action research plan, I was anxious to hear what my site supervisor thought. We discussed the timeline, and agreed that it would be beneficial to wait until the second six weeks to begin the process. The thought of starting a new school year, while adding more work to collaborating teachers was bothersome. This delay would also give us time to revise any potential problems with the action research plan, choose teachers who would supply us with the most accurate information, and educate those teachers on the specifics of the research plan. We also discussed the template that should be used for the teacher tardy logs and teacher journal entries. We agreed on a spreadsheet layout that would include all of the information needed, as well as provide the collaborating teachers the easiest way to input information on a daily basis. While discussing the importance of the student/teacher/administrator survey, we compiled a list of possible questions that could be included in that survey. We also decided that a survey on the concerns of the current tardy policy should be given to the entire faculty at the beginning of the research period, as well as a similar survey given to participating teachers at the end of research period. My site supervisor felt that the teachers involved in the research project might have a different opinion on the matter after spending six weeks focusing on the effects of the problem in their classroom. We also focused on trying to come up with a timeline following the six-week research period; including a timeline for evaluating qualitative data, analyzing quantitative data, and creating a proposal to change the current campus tardy policy. We desired to have the research project completed by the end of the third six weeks.

I feel that tardies affect so many secondary campuses, and I would love to have your input on how it affects your campus. I would also like to hear your thoughts and comments on my action research plan.

My Action Research Plan

What are some concerns that teachers, students, and administrators may have with our current tardy policy, and what are some changes that can be made to that policy to alleviate those concerns?

¨ Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation

My goal throughout this process is to determine if the current tardy policy on our campus is effective, and if changes can be made to improve the current policy. During my research, I will determine the number of students acquiring tardies, verify which class periods/departments are subject to the highest number of tardies, determine the amount of missed instruction time because of tardies, evaluate the effects that tardy students have on classroom instruction and organization, and acquire faculty concerns over the current policy.

¨ Activities designed to achieve the objectives

I will be using several different activities throughout this process. Collaborating teachers will be given tardy logs to keep track of late students, as well as a teacher journal to document how tardy students affect their classroom. Surveys will also be given to teachers, students and administrators to determine how the school perceives the current tardy policy, and possible changes that could be made to improve it.

¨ Resources and research tools needed for data gathering

Teacher tardy logs will be used in classes that will be sampled to obtain quantitative data on student tardies. This log will be individualized for each collaborating teacher, will include the teacher’s class roll, and will provide space for the teacher to keep specific records of tardy students. Teacher journals will also be used in classes that will be sampled to obtain qualitative data on student tardies. Collaborating teachers will make weekly journal entries documenting their observations on the tardy students effect on classroom instruction and organization.

¨ Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities

One week prior to the start of the six week research period, an informational meeting will be held for all collaborating teachers. This meeting will discuss activities they will be involved in during the research period. Tardy logs will be turned in and analyzed weekly. Teacher journals, as well as surveys, will be turned in and analyzed at the conclusion of the six week research period, and determinations will be made on the possible necessity of additional research.

¨ Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan

John McCleskey, assistant principal and site supervisor, Jayme Carr, and collaborating teachers will be responsible for the implementation of the action research plan.

¨ Benchmarks and assessments

Tardy logs will provide quantitative data concerning the number of tardies given, which period/departments are receiving the most tardies, and how much actual instructional time tardy students are missing. This will allow us to see if patterns are developing with certain students or particular times of the school day. Teacher journals will provide qualitative data in regards to the effects tardy students have on classroom instruction and organization, and a deeper understanding of how tardies are affecting the classroom environment.

¨ Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives

During the six week research period, I will retrieve, examine, and analyze tardy logs weekly. At the end of the research period, I will analyze teacher journals and surveys. This information will help determine possible improvements for the campus tardy policy.

Week Two Reflections

I have learned so much about "action research", and how it can be used in the school setting. I have used action research in the past, but have never really put a name to it. I can see where action research and reflection can be beneficial as a teacher and an administrator, and am looking forward to using it on a regular basis.

After completing the week two assignment, I feel it is very important to spend time in choosing an action research project. So many positive things can come from action research; such as continual learning, improved student achievement, an improved learning environment, as well as improved instructional techniques. There are many ways that action research can be done, and each of those ways have the possibility of producing a positive change in the school's atmosphere. I have chosen to do my action research project on the subject of tardies. After discussing this topic with my site supervisor, we both agreed it is a problem that affects the majority of our school. I feel that our current tardy policy is ineffective by causing classroom disruptions. I look forward to researching this topic, and coming up with possible solutions that will give our campus an environment more conducive to learning.

How Educational Leaders can use blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs in a variety of ways. They can be used to disseminate information to all interested parties. They can post the URL on the school's website so that faculty, students, community members, and parents can have access to all that is going on at our campus. Educational Leaders can also use blogs to paint the vision of the campus. They can do this by posting their theme of the month for the campus. For example, a campus' theme of the month could be "good stewardship." A principal will then post the actions that a good steward participates in. The blog could also include examples of some famous "good stewards." Blogging in this manner could be an excellent way for the community to connect to the principal on a more personal level, and it will allow the community to see the vision being painted by the educational leader.

What I have learned about Action Research

Through the investigation of these publications, I have learned there is a systematic way of analyzing current situations, developing and implementing a plan of action, reflecting on the outcome, and revisiting and expanding on the original problem. These are things that I have done before, but now view in a different context knowing that it is a research process. I have also generally used these strategies on my own. I now know that action research can be done by a group of people trying to formulate solutions to everyday problems in the classroom setting.

I plan on using exam data to determine what test questions are being answered incorrectly, and to what extent they are being missed. I will question students on question wording, mode of content delivery, etc. This will allow me to formulate questions or deliver content in a better manner so that student achievement can be increased. I will work on this with members of my PLC, and we can present our findings to other teachers in our school.

I will also seek out teaching strategies that have been researched to see if some of those strategies can help me in things such as classroom management and working with special education students. I can look at another teacher's research on tardies and their effect on the educational experience. This will give me some insight into another professional educator's strategies into solving an everyday issue on our campus.