Goolsby action research plan

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Goolsby action research plan

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Week 2 Reflection

This week I have learned the significance of action research and its impact on the quality of education our students receive. As educators it is crucial that we be life-long learners. Action research enables us to research topics which we have an interest in and which will benefit our students.

Because our district is using CSCOPE and striving for a better understanding of the curriculum, we are working towards having Level 5 implementation and leadership which would include PLCs. My site supervisor and I discussed the possibility of researching PLC implementation in order to better facilitate the implementation of CSCOPE. At the beginning of this course, I was planning to research teacher perception of professional development, but the direction our campus is taking might lead me to research implementing PLCs to facilitate CSCOPE implementation. My site supervisor and I will discuss this during the upcoming weeks to determine which topic would be most beneficial for me to study.

How can Educational Leaders use Blogs?

Blogs can be a beneficial tool for educators to start using. One of the major benefits of blogs for educators is as a tool for reflection and collaboration. Educators can document their thoughts and observations in a blog and use this information to reflect in the future. The blog is a great tool for getting input from colleagues and discussing "hot topics."

What are your thoughts on educational leaders using blogs?

Action Research

During this first week in EDLD 5301, I have learned a great deal about Action Research. I understand that it is different from traditional research and can be more beneficial to the actual practitioners, teachers and principals. Educators can use action research to closely examine the issues that are most important to them and that they can influence. Action research can be an effective tool in better understanding areas of concern on a campus or in a school district and then planning for a solution. Action research can be beneficial to educators because it helps them to identify areas of need, keep track of the data that has been identified and analyzed, then plan for steps to be taken in order to improve student learning. A major component of action research is reflection. Once practitioners have studied an issue or problem, they take time to more closely exam the issue, then plan for action to be taken, look at the results, and then reflect on action taken. This process spirals because once practitioners reflect on work and actions they will continue to use inquiry to improve student learning and school success. Harris, Edmonson, and Combs (2010) stated, “the need for inquiry is an essential component in order to establish a firm foundation for school improvement” (p. 5). As a campus leader, I can use inquiry and action research to collaborate with teachers and improve instructional practices. We could use action research to identify concerns such as, discrepancies in content and cognitive level of Mathematics instruction in Kindergarten-4th Grade, improving instruction in oral expression, and improving teacher morale and attitudes towards professional development. I plan to use action research to further examine teacher attitudes towards professional development. Please check back later and give me your input!