Week 2 Reflection

This week we reflected on how school leaders identify areas of need in which they conduct research plans. Some of the areas which the textbook identified were staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, individual students, school culture/community, leadership, management, school performance, and social justice or equity issues. Each area contains many different topics which can be important for action research. For example, in the area of staff development, one might research how professional development at a school with many new teachers can best aid new teachers while promoting growth in veteran staff.
Although all the catagories have high importance in an educational setting, which topic an educational leader chooses to address should align with the school's mission and vision for progress.

Introductory Post - Week 1

ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRY or ACTION RESEARCH is the process of an administrator engaging in systematic, intentional study or their own professional practice and taking action for change based on what they learn as a result of the inquiry. Action research is conducted by administrators and teachers who are “inside” a problem. 

       Action research differs from traditional educational research in which outside experts (consultants, college professors, etc.) have researched types of solutions to similar problems and your organization chooses to use the outside organizations solution to apply to the problem at hand in hopes that it will solve or improve the problem. Action research is conducted “in-house”. Data is gathered, analyzed with focus on the possible causes of the problem and possible solutions. A chosen solution is implemented, and the results are evaluated to see if further action is needed within the school to address the problem.

     The text names four contexts as being ripe for action research in educational settings: university coursework, professional learning committees, leadership teams, and superintendant/ district meetings. In this case, the class EDLD 5301 “Research” (university coursework), is the foundation of this action research project, but it will expand to a campus leadership team and possibly professional learning committees looking to implement new technology on their campuses.

     The benefits of conducting action research include increasing student performance, job satisfaction amongst staff members on every level, stakeholder ownership, participation, and personal initiative in problem solving.

HOW EDUACTORS CAN USE BLOGS: *Share material, downloads, links, news , lessons and ideas *Facilitate online discussion & collaboration  *Document or publish class activities, performances or progress for parents to view  *Integrate video, podcasts and other media