Utilizing Action Research

Action research is a powerful tool that administrators can use to improve their schools in many different ways. In this age of educational accountability, schools are always under fire in one area or another and must address the problem issue(s) in a timely manner. Action research provides a way to accomplish that goal regardless of the problem. Issues from staff development, to student achievement, to management, and even building constraints can all be addressed using action research. Four critical areas regarding action research procedures and its effectiveness are being able to make data driven decisions, performing adequate background research,reflecting on what you've learned to create and implement a plan, and ensuring the safety and security of student identities. Quantitative and/or qualitative data must be generated/reviewed to determine if action research is warranted. If the need for action research is indicated, researchers must take the time to examine the available literature on the topic, communicate with others that can provide insight into the problem, and reflect on how their findings apply to their personal philosophy and the needs of their school. Throughout the action research process, steps must be taken to ensure that student identities are protected.
This week's assignment has given me the opportunity to reflect on my experiences in education both as a classroom teacher and as an integral part of the schoool itself. During this process, I identified many areas within our school that could benefit from action research and reaffirmed my belief that open communication between all employees within the school is critical to a school's success. The success of action research lies in the hands of an entire group working together toward a common goal and cannot be accomplished in isolation.

Why Blog?

Blogging is an excellent tool for educational researchers for a number of reasons. Unlike traditional websites, blogging offers the opportunity to communicate with colleagues on a whole new level. In addition to sharing information or knowledge, a blog allows you to quickly get feedback from others and engage in reflective discourse with those that share your interests and concerns. Using a blog eliminates geographic barriers and promotes individuals from all over the world to work collaboratively rather than in isolation. Finally, since a blog can easily be added to an RSS feed, you immediately have access to new information once it is posted without constantly checking a website.

For more information about blogging see the following website: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7006.pdf

What is Action Research?

Action research is a collaborative, inquiry-based, systematic process that allows administrators to develop clearer understandings of their beliefs regarding education, their motivations during the decision making process, and their ability to carry out actions toward change. Unlike traditional school improvement models, action research is implemented by administrators within a school to address issues or problems that are relevent to the school itself. The administrator begins the process by making observations about the school and identifying areas that could use improvement. He/she then formulates questions addressing how his/her actions could make a positive impact on the school. Once the questions have been posed, data must be collected from appropriate resources using both qualitative and quantitative methods. In addition, the administrator further develops his knowledge by researching sources related to the targeted area of interest. Next, the data must be analyzed to develop a deeper understanding of the issue or problem. At this point, the administrator must take a step back and engage in reflection to gain insight into how he/she as a leader could best facilitate school improvement in this area. The next hurdle is to explore patterns and come up with a plan that addresses changes in practice that are necessary for improvement to occur. Finally, the plan must be shared with others and fully implemented by all staff members. As the plan is carried out, time must be allotted for further reflection to readdress or redefine the issue or problem. Although the action research process has a clear beginning, the process of carrying out action research creates a spiral effect that continually leads to further improvement and sustained change.
Action research can be used to address any issue that affects school performance and can be used on a number of different levels. Student behavior, test performance, retention of content material, teacher morale, professional development, and community involvement are just some examples of areas that can be addressed using action research. In addition, action research can be carried out within a classroom, a department, school-wide, or district wide. Due to the introspective nature of action research, it provides an excellent opportunity for all educators to learn more about their personal beliefs and how those beliefs impact the education of our students. It also provides a wonderful opportunity for engaging in collaborative professional development that will have a lasting positive impact on both the researchers and the targeted audience.