Monday, July 12, 2010
Blogging for Improvement
Blogging is a way for people to share experiences or thoughts on a particular subject. Just as beginning teachers seek advise from more experienced teachers, educational leaders can share their thoughts, problems, successful endeavors, etc. for others to view and elaborate upon. We can collaborate with others on specific issues, take bits and pieces of others' experiences and apply them to our situation, or inspire others to solve their own problem!
Application of Action Research
It is amazing how words can stir up feelings inside the human body. When I read the word "research" for my current class I had that uneasy-queasy feeling deep down inside. All I could think of was upper-level college assignments that had me in the library for hours on end. I was NOT looking forward to this class!
Luckily, it only took a few minutes of reading to discover that action research is different. Dana describes action research or "administrative inquiry" as the process of studying your own administrative practices and initiating some form of change based on the results of the inquiry (2). As I continued reading I discovered that the process is very similar to what I teach my students in science - The Scientific Method. Basically, you identify a problem and brainstorm solutions (experiment). Then you gather data based on professional literature, collegial suggestions, and experiences. Finally, you test the solutions (over a period of time), gather and analyze data, and convey your results.
This form of professional development is more effective because it is specific to your school's needs and population. Too many times we are forced to listen to the latest theories and case studies performed in Utopia or some other school totally unrelated to our working environment. What do we take away from these trainings? Usually many unanswered questions! Action research is a way for administrators to initiate change based on the issues affecting their school. It is a reflective process that allows principals to gather student data, identify specific areas of weakness, and decide what went wrong or what needs fixing. Then, the administrator can work with members of their own staff to brainstorm solutions and initiate change that will benefit their students. I'm not saying that traditional forms of research are ineffective. They should be utilized and a part of the learning process, but to take what was effective for an urban school in Seattle and try to mimic it in rural south Texas, expecting the same results, is foolish. Individual schools face individualized needs.
Many educators already participate in different forms of action research. Site-based decision making committees look at the weaknesses of their school, disaggregate data, and brainstorm solutions to improve their schools. Professional learning communities (PLC) are specific groups within the school who identify weaknesses (usually within a specific subject), discuss ways to improve (using the collective experiences of the group members), and implement necessary changes. Individual teachers and principals can do the same. Reflecting on your work, learning new ways of doing things, and communicating with colleagues are all forms of inquiry that will help improve a process.
Luckily, it only took a few minutes of reading to discover that action research is different. Dana describes action research or "administrative inquiry" as the process of studying your own administrative practices and initiating some form of change based on the results of the inquiry (2). As I continued reading I discovered that the process is very similar to what I teach my students in science - The Scientific Method. Basically, you identify a problem and brainstorm solutions (experiment). Then you gather data based on professional literature, collegial suggestions, and experiences. Finally, you test the solutions (over a period of time), gather and analyze data, and convey your results.
This form of professional development is more effective because it is specific to your school's needs and population. Too many times we are forced to listen to the latest theories and case studies performed in Utopia or some other school totally unrelated to our working environment. What do we take away from these trainings? Usually many unanswered questions! Action research is a way for administrators to initiate change based on the issues affecting their school. It is a reflective process that allows principals to gather student data, identify specific areas of weakness, and decide what went wrong or what needs fixing. Then, the administrator can work with members of their own staff to brainstorm solutions and initiate change that will benefit their students. I'm not saying that traditional forms of research are ineffective. They should be utilized and a part of the learning process, but to take what was effective for an urban school in Seattle and try to mimic it in rural south Texas, expecting the same results, is foolish. Individual schools face individualized needs.
Many educators already participate in different forms of action research. Site-based decision making committees look at the weaknesses of their school, disaggregate data, and brainstorm solutions to improve their schools. Professional learning communities (PLC) are specific groups within the school who identify weaknesses (usually within a specific subject), discuss ways to improve (using the collective experiences of the group members), and implement necessary changes. Individual teachers and principals can do the same. Reflecting on your work, learning new ways of doing things, and communicating with colleagues are all forms of inquiry that will help improve a process.
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