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.