Reflections of EDLD5301

What is action research you might ask? Well according to Dana (2009) action research is when an administrator or teacher studies his own practices and determines if what he is doing is effective or needs change. This evaluation is analyzed by using self-questioning in order to analyze, develop, and share and becomes a tool for learning and school improvement. This was a new term for me and at first did not seem to be a big deal. However, as I read more and more about it, it made much more sense. Traditional methods of research uses outsiders to collect and analyze data and predict what they think might happen. With action research, all inquiries are done by people with personal interest or involvement in the situation or issue so therefore the outcome means so much more. When the outcome of an issue determines the success of a teacher, administrator, or students the people involved tend to want what will work best for them.

By using things like PLC's and Site Based Committees collaboration with peers becomes much more effective in producing the best school district possible that will meet the needs of the people who care about it. As a teacher, action research will allow me to identify my weak areas and implement a plan for improvement that will make me a better instructor. It will encourage me to question myself when the outcome of certain situations did not have the end result I had in mind. Change is good and with action research, the ability to change with the times in order to address the needs of my students over time will be a much easier and ongoing process. Along with this new concept also came the collaboration of peers through blogs and discussion boards. It is very interesting to see others’ views about things going on in other districts. To see that the concerns and issues that affect my district also affect others has a calming effect knowing that we are not alone. The texts were very informative as well and I have learned a completely new way of researching a project and learning from others instead of only using my personal ideas. Knowing how to question myself has made me become a stronger school leader and eventually a strong administrator. The assignments for this course have given me a good solid foundation on research that will carry through for years to come. Although I enjoyed many aspects of this course, the highlight for me was to develop my action research project. Now that I have decided on my topic and have a plan developed to reach a goal I can’t wait to get started on it and see end result. Developing a vertical alignment with an online component such as Edmodo or Project Share will be a very interesting experience. I am hopeful that the end result will have the desired effect and improve the education or our students. That may be the final statement to be made about this course and any courses in the future. We are enrolled in these courses for a reason and that is to become a better leader and administrator with the end purpose to improve education as we know it for the sake of the children’s lives that we touch. In this constantly changing world we must constantly change and evaluate what we are doing for our students. If we don’t question and make changes as needed the level of instruction will continue to decrease until we are not having any success in our school systems.

Action Research Plan - VA Document with Online Collaboration

PLAN OF ACTION TEMPLATE School Vision:  To seamlessly integrate the use of technology to meet the needs of the K-2 campus for collaboration of teachers in order to impact student performance positively. Goal: The goal of the action research plan is to train teachers in the use of Edmodo in order to aid in the development of a vertical alignment for K-2. This online tool will allow teachers to communicate, share resources, lesson plans, and curriculum and ensure that all TEKS are being addressed. Action Steps Persons Responsible Timeline: Needed Resources Evaluation Meet with teachers and discuss the need for a vertical alignment Kirk Saul Shanda Davis August 2011 K-2 Teachers TEKS Meeting Notes Edmodo Training Shanda Davis Pam Spencer Technology Committee August 2011 – Inservice week Computer Lab with Internet connections Edmodo Training Handouts Teacher Survey Teacher Usage Teacher Surveys on Pre and Post Training Knowledge Curriculum/TEKS Guideline or Scope and Sequence Kirk Saul Shanda Davis Lead Teacher  from  each K-2 Grade Level August – September 2011 K-2 TEKS Curriculum materials available to the district Completion of Scope and Sequence Year at a Glance Document Kirk Saul Shanda Davis Lead Teacher  from  each K-2 Grade Level August- September 2011 K-2 TEKS Curriculum materials available to the district Completion of Year at a Glance Document Content or Curriculum for each TEKS Shanda Davis Lead Teacher  from  each K-2 Grade Level Will be developed for one six weeks at a time prior to the beginning of each six weeks. All TEKS will be addressed by May 2012. K-2 TEKS Curriculum materials available to the district Completed Scope and Sequence Completed Year At A Glance Edmodo Folders for each Grade level with sub-folders for each subject Completion of vertical alignment document showing  what objectives  will be met and what resources will be used to address TEKS. All resources will be compiled into the proper Edmodo folders for access to all K-2 teachers. Collaboration Calendar K-2 Teachers Daily or as needed Edmodo Calendar Usage of calendar showing meeting dates and deadlines for completion of the vertical alignment Grade level meetings and Content Documents K-2 Teachers Prior to each six weeks TEKS Curriculum Materials for all subject areas Scope and Sequence Year at a Glance Grade level teachers will meet and develop what materials and content will be covered for the upcoming six weeks. Supplemental and Primary Resources Library K-2 Teachers When necessary, ongoing Edmodo Folders Internet Access District Curriculum Materials Edmodo Folders containing resources Progress Reports on the Completion of the Campus Vertical Alignment Document Shanda Davis Prior to each six weeks after grade level meetings have determined which TEKS will be covered for each grade level and at year end. Grade level vertical alignment document Meeting with Mr. Saul and completed vertical alignment document. Improvement of Student Performance K-2 Teachers Beginning, Middle, and End of Year Benchmarks or Standardized Tests such as TPRI Standardized Test results Teacher Observation Student Grades End of Year Meeting K-2 Teachers Shanda Davis Kirk Saul May 2012 Completed Vertical Alignment Document Edmodo Folders Teacher Surveys Meeting notes and survey results on the effectiveness of the alignment and usage of Edmodo as the collaboration tool.

Sharing

Well let me just say that a lot of thinking and planning goes into a good research action plan. This has all been such a new experience for me. I know that I have learned a great deal but have so much farther to go. After reading the Dana text, The Travelogue: Sharing your work with others, pp. 135 – 169, I also realized that sharing the results of your research action plan are very critical. With the sharing of this information comes even more research available for others to use. My research action plan is to build a vertical alignment for grades K-2 while integrating an online resource for teacher collaboration. The hope of this plan is to ensure that all TEKS are covered in all subject areas and thus improving student performance. As far as data collection goes, grade level as well as campus meetings will be called throughout the school year. Notes from these meetings will be used to maintain a record of progress being made and what did and didn't work out as planned. I will also use data from standardized tests to show student performance. The main piece of data will be the vertical alignment document itself. This will show the work that has been done and how this document is individualized to meet the needs of my campus based on what materials and resources are available in the district. Other data collection will be in the usage of Edmodo by the teachers and how much the folders are accessed as well as the collabortion calendar. I will also post on my blog regularly the progress that is being made and the ups and downs we encounter along the way. This is indeed a large task to accomplish however since we are breaking it down into manageable chunks by dealing with one six weeks at a time, it doesn't seem so much of an undertaking. The desired end result will be that all of our students are being taught the same information no matter what class they are in. This should result in higher performance and a better education for our students.

Growing Pains

This week has been quite a learning experience for me. As I consider school leadership for my future I must also consider all aspects of it. After reading and learning more about action research I realize how much I need to change my way of thinking. I have already begun to change in the way I analyze and question what needs the campus and district have. It's almost as if I see the end result of what I would like to happen and imagine what do I need to do to get there. After reading about the nine passion in the Dana text, I realize that there are many areas to consider when trying to be a school leader. Also after investigating my own topic for action research it has become obvious to me that planning and organizing as well as knowing where I want to end up play an important part in having an effective plan. It's crazy how after just two courses I am growing professionally. These growing pains have caused me to incorporate ideas and resources into my teaching and plans for next year. Although change is good sometimes it is a little painful. Part of the pain comes from admitting that maybe I haven't been as thorough or thoughtful in some areas of my teaching. I look forward to learning even more and reaching even greater heights in my professional life.