Week Two Reflection on Action Reserach

This week was a very knowledgeable week; we read and identified nine areas of action research.   I was able to provide at least one example of action research in each of the nine areas and describe why this might be an important area for action research in schools.  I was able to see different perspectives by watching and listening to the scholars.  Each one had a different position with a school system, a Principal, Director of Research and Development and a Superintendent.  The first one that I watch and listen too was Dr. Briseno, who mentions that he needs data before making any decision.  He tells us that each student needs to be identified.  I like what he suggested about doing research, use what is available, do not reinvent the wheel.  The second one that I saw and listen to is Dr. Timothy Charogis, he mentions how we are so advanced in comparison to couple of years in data driven information.  We no longer have to be waiting weeks or months before we get any results.  We can get the data immediately and we are able to make a change immediately as well.  I like what he said that we no longer can be happy with reaching several students that we need to reach all students because of accountability.   Teachers need to be active researchers we no longer can be like in the old system of simply learning pedagogue and content.  If you are green, you are growing and if you are brown you are dying is the statement that he made for making change and improving student performance.  The last person that I saw and listen too was Dr. Lewis, who mentions how they use research.  He mentions that the use of research needs to be looked upon with what other areas throughout the state are using.  The use of other research, need to be use by tearing apart and using it to what is needed.  He always mentions how his school district is a data rich district in which they use data to make many of the decisions that they make from year to year. 

Action Research

Action research is something that I was not familiar, until recently.  In the previous university that I was attending, they never mentioned anything about.  They did talk about traditional educational research.  I find that it is extremely important and beneficial to be able to use action research, especially in the educational field.  It gives one the opportunity to learn and experience as you go.  I see it as a method that will be the future to improve the overall quality of teaching and learning.  The information that one gathers in action research is not from books or other people researches.  It comes from knowledge gathered in the real life educational practices.  Where one can learn from their own problems and make changes.  It makes the practioners the sole source in the research process.  Action research can be used by anyone in the educational field such as teachers , librarians, assistant principals, principals, superintendent, etc to better themselves as they work as a team. Action research does not mean that you will be working alone, it is teamwork that will work for the good of the school and community.  As a leader one who shows action research and involves others and who has success will see progress and will have others follow and be successful as well.  By using active research one is bettering your campus, community and oneself, however; the one that will benefit from this is the student.  Specifically, action research may be helpful through identifying a problem within the classroom, reviewing professional literature pertaining to the issue, apply action after seeking advice from fellow educators, and then using/sharing the information found from the study.

Educational Leaders Utilizing Blogs

Educational leaders can benefit from using blogs by being able to connect, share and get feedback from people who are in the same educational field as them.  Especially in today's world where technology dominates all other sources.