EDLD 5301 BLOG #1

WHAT IS ACTION RESEARCH?

This week, I have learned that action research is a research technique designed to help educators address a specific question or problem within their own school.  First, practitioners define an issue, question, or problem that they hope to address in the future.  Next, data is gathered from a variety of sources over a period of time.  This data can be very beneficial to solving the concern at hand on the practitioner’s campus.  That specific data is then analyzed and interpreted to see how it can be utilized to address the concern.  After that, the practitioner develops a plan of action (utilizing the collected data) that attempts to solve the problem at hand.  The final step in action research is to reflect on the entire process.  Reflection is important because it allows us to evaluate several aspects of the implemented change.  It also allows us to celebrate the fruits of our labor.

Action research appears to be a much better research tool that traditional educational research.  By allowing the practitioner to be engaged as the “problem poser” and “problem solver,” action research allows those in charge to identify solutions to their specific school and their specific needs.  As I move into the role of being a principal in the future, I believe that action research will allow me to identify solutions to issues that may be global in nature or specific to only my school.  It will allow me to utilize people who are in my school's classrooms every day and are dealing with the exact same issues and concerns.  I believe that action research will help me focus on my teachers’ and my students’ needs as they relate to my individual campus.

HOW EDUCATIONAL LEADERS MIGHT USE BLOGS

Educational leaders can utilize blogs in several ways to benefit themselves and those who they lead.  In terms of their own benefit, principals could use a blog to reflect on various events, problems, activities, concerns, etc.  In this case, the leader would probably set the blog to private in order to keep others from seeing his/her private thoughts.  It would be used much like a journal.  In terms of benefiting others, the principal could use a blog as a way to get public feedback on various concerns of the school.  The leader could pose a question and allow all faculty and staff members on the campus to add their specific comments.  In turn, anyone could then comment on a staff member's post.  This would be a good way for a principal to incorporate his/her staff into the decision-making process.