Week 5 Reflection - 5301

I don’t even know where to start. I began this journey through 5301 learning more and more about Action Research and the difference of tradition research. I have a much clearer understanding of the process. According to Harris and Dana, administrative inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practices and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry. Reflection, data and change are all important to this process. Action research is more a process of exploring an educational need and collaboratively solving the problem by analyzing data, reflection and finding answers to your problem. Action research differs from traditional educational research because most of the time it brings on a change of some sort and the traditional research only examines a practice to understand how it works.
In Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action by Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, and Julie Combs, (Eye on Education, 2010). I read about the steps needed to have a successful action research. They listed the following 8 steps:
1. Examining the work: Setting the Foundation
2. Analyzing data
3. Developing deeper understanding
4. Engaging in Self-Reflection
5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns
6. Determining direction
7. Taking action for school improvement
8. Sustaining improvement
From the start of my Action Research Project I have been taking these into account. They will be such great guide throughout the process. They are steps that I can analyze my research with and make sure I am going in the correct direction.
This class has also pushed me into the blogging world. It was a scary endeavor, but I have enjoyed reading the other blogs and getting feedback on my own. It has allowed me to hear opinions that I would have never gotten to hear. I can’t wait to continue blogging!
The Strategies for Sustaining Improvement, from the Harris Text, were definitely strategies that I feel I can be utilized by anyone. The three strategies are
• Force Field Analysis
• Delphi Method
• Nominal Group Technique
When examining the 3 strategies, Force Field Analysis and Nominal Group Technique are the 2 that I feel will work best in my scenario. The Force Field Analysis gives you questions to use when you encounter resistance. Hopefully leading you down the right path when you answer them. The Nominal Group Technique is a small group technique where the each member of the group generates a need or issue for the school with no discussion from others and finally the members rewrite all the needs and rate them.
I feel that my Action Research skills have definitely grown throughout this course and I know that they will continue. This course has been packed with useful information that is necessary for the completion of our projects. My hope is that we all keep blogging. We have been given a great opportunity to learn about a multitude of topics from our classmates throughout this journey. It will be amazing!

REFERENCES:
Dana, N.F.(2009) Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S. & Combs, J. (2010) Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 Steps to Analysis in Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education

Action Planning Template
Goal:  How will student goal-setting increase student achievements?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Locate appropriate strength assessments.	Shannon Marshall Shelly Allen, Principal	12/06/12 – 12/14/12	Strength Assessments, Computer Resources, Time	Making sure that Assessments measure the correct criteria
Develop Survey in Survey Monkey to Establish the student’s knowledge of goal-setting.	Shannon Marshall Shelly Allen, Principal	12/10/12- 12/12/12	Computer	Survey
Administer student survey.	Shannon Marshall	12/14/12 and repeat with new students on 1/7/13	Survey Monkey survey and computers	Disaggregate Survey Data
Administer strengths assessment	Shannon Marshall, All Campus Teachers	12/14/12 and repeat with new students on 1/7/13	Computers Strength Assessment Tools	Disaggregate Strength Assessment Data
Compile Data to establish student’s areas of need	All Campus Teachers, Shannon Marshall, Shelly Allen, Principal	1/7/13- 1/9/13	Data from surveys and assessments	List of needs
Review Needs with Students	Shannon Marshall All Campus Teachers	1/9/13 – 1/11/13	Data Agenda	Student Goals Lesson Plans
Goal-Setting	Shannon Marshall All Campus Teachers	1/9/13 – May, 2013	Agendas Lesson Plans DMAC Data	Student Goals
Assess Student Achievement	Leadership Team (Shannon Marshall Shelly Allen, Principal & Teacher Leader)	May, 2013	Student Goals, DMAC Data	Student Achievement

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

Week 2

As I read  Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher by Nancy Fichman Dana, I realized that action is very important for success in your school.  In Chapter 2 Dana discusses the 9 areas in which we can find wonder. 

• Staff Development
• Curriculum Development
• Individual Teacher(s)
• Individual Student(s)
• Community/Culture Building
• Leadership Skills
• Management
• School Performance
• Social Justice

I became more and more excited as I read through the chapter.  All of these areas are very important.  It is necessary for the principal to study his/her school and make sure that the research is necessary and is practical for the situation.  After finishing the text, I felt so much better about my action research topic.  My action research topic is "How will goal-setting increase student achievement?"  

Resource:  Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action

researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

The Boundless Opportunities of Blogging

I have often thought about blogging and been jealous of other bloggers, but I was too apprehensive.  I think it was the fear of the unknown and putting my ideas out for all the world to see.  As my blogging experience begins, I believe that it will enable me to experience learning in a whole new way.  I am excited about the endless amount of learning that can be done through blogging with others.  The ability to communicate with other professionals will offer up boundless opportunities for meaningful dialogues about the subject of educational leadership.  Blogging also allows you to voice your concerns and rejoice in your triumphs.  There are endless opportunities when it comes to taking on the challenge of becoming a blogger.  Let the blogging begin!

A Week of Thanks and Action Research

As I was celebrating and giving thanks this week, I began reading our text for this weeks assignment.  It amazed me as I read more and more about action research, how much it paralleled with life.  In life we have decisions to make and what do we do?  We look at all of our options (data), we use our background knowledge and research to make our decision.  We may even talk to others to get their opinions.  Will this be good for me? our family? our future?  To answer these questions, one must take time to reflect on the situation.  Sometimes our decisions take minutes, hours or even days.  But they are require research, inquiry and reflection.  Most of the time we encounter a few bumps in the road and have to solve problems.  It is a constant cycle, just like action research.

According to Harris, in action research, we go through the following steps.

*  Identify the Problem
*  Gather Information
*  Analyze Information and Hold Discussions with Stakeholders
*   Reflect on Finding
*   Formulate Solution
*   Begin Action Research
*   Monitor Project
*   Maintain and Make Adjustments as needed.

I also realized the importance of scheduling a time for inquiry and reflection to make action research successful.  Just as in life, we must take time to make sure that we are taking the necessary steps to accomplish our goals and make our decisions.

Dana, N.F. (2009).  Leading with passion and knowledge:  The principal as action researcher.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmondson, S., & Combs, J. (2009).  Examining what we do to improve our schools:  8 steps from analysis to action.  Larchmont, N.Y.:  Eye on Education.