Application of Action Research

In the assigned reading from the Dana text demonstrated the use of action research in 9 different areas of educational leadership:

Staff development
Curriculum development
Individual teacher(s)
Individual student(s)
School culture and community
Leadership
Management
School performance
Social justice or equity issues

The interviews for this week gave practical advice for the use of action research in education from the classroom setting, all the way to the district level. Anyone can, and should, participate in action research when there is a need or and area of improvement. It is a very useful tool which only requires a small amount of time to look at data. The data can be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (surveys, observations, interviews, focus groups, etc.). Using action research, the information gathered can then be translated to a slightly different need area on the researcher's campus. This saves a great deal of trial and error learning, and increases the potential for success and improvement because the researcher is using a method that has been used successfully before. This method allows the researcher to select the areas of improvement that are important to them or their campus/district and find methods to achieve success.

This has proven to be a valuable lesson in the practical application of action research. It is a tool that I will put to use as I become an educational administrator. It has shown me that I do not have to reinvent the wheel or come up with my own unique solution to a situation. Someone, somewhere, has probably experience a similar situation and successfully addressed it. All I need to do is take their idea, and tweak it to fit my situation. Action research could save countless hours of stress, and frustration I might otherwise encounter by trying several different ideas before finally coming up with something that works. 

Using Blogs as an Educator

Blogs provide unique opportunities to educators and educational leaders. They provide ways to share information and to get feedback from other on that information. This allows the educator or education leader to then reflect on the topic, and perhaps make minor adjustments, or to re-evaluate the situation entirely.

Teachers can use blogs in their classroom to provide or share information with their students, or with other teachers. Students today are very technologically savvy and this tool provides a way for teachers to tie in to the students' technological world. Students can provide feedback, ask questions, or seek clarification using the blog.

Educational leaders can use blogs to share information with other leaders. This allows them to "bounce ideas" off other people in potentially similar situations, and gather input before implementing a change or plan. Doing this could help the leader to avoid pitfalls or problems others have experienced in this area. In other words the leader is not alone in the decision making process, and doesn't have to "reinvent the wheel". They can learn of potential problems with their plan without having to experience that problem firsthand.

Blogs are a great tool for educators and educational leaders alike. If teachers, principals, and other leaders can get over their fear of this unknown, new tool, and accept it, they can open a new doorway to instruction and information sharing. The educational leader must also have an open mind and be able to accept criticism or differing opinions on a topic. If they are able to do this, they will undoubtedly improve their education skills and open the doorway to a new learning experience and leadership tool.

Action Research

Action research is a valuable tool for all leaders in the field of education, whether they are veteran administrators, new to the leadership role, or prospective principal candidates. Action research provides the leader with the opportunity to examine any area of the educational system, a campus policy, or a personal decision, and look for ways to improve that area. This improvement is done in a systematic way with the leader defining the outcome or change they would like to achieve. Once this is done, the leader researches the problem. This can be done in a wide variety of ways. The leader can read articles or journals on the topic. They can talk to colleagues in different school districts to see if they have experience with the problem or have ideas about how to attack or improve the situation. The principal can also gather input from teachers, students, or parents. The leader then selects a plan to implement to achieve the desired change or goal. After the plan is implemented, the principal must reflect on the plan and the result it has produced. Is the result the one that was desired, or did the plan have the desired effect? If so, the plan can be continued. If not, the plan my need to be adjusted slightly or done away with altogether.

Action research can be used successfully by teachers, department heads, assistant principals, principals, superintendents, or anyone in a leadership role in the educational setting. To be successful with action research, the leader must set aside time to research and weigh the potential outcomes of the plans available. However, the time needed to do this is well worth the effort, as it will invariably lead to a better work and learning environment for all concerned. Action leadership can be used by administrators in staff development, curriculum development, school-wide or campus-wide performance areas. It can also by department heads in their subject department, individual teachers in their classroom, and even by students. I can see myself using this tool in a variety of ways in my future endeavors as a school leader.