The Development - Week One

This week I began considering ideas that I could turn into action research projects. I wanted to make sure that I chose a topic that would be beneficial to my campus. Some of our individual student target areas are our AP students, students who are constantly seen on the D-F list, and AA males in relation to their Terra Nova reading and math scores. One of the first topics I considered for research was developing a project that would search for strategies to help increase Terra Nova math scores for the AA male subpopulation. However, after reading about the other possible research projects of other students in the course and talking with my site supervisor, I felt this is a topic that I could gain knowledge in from looking and comparing other projects to our campus. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I felt I could save a few steps and look at how other schools are battling this common trend. Secondly, I considered looking at how our recently implemented attendance policy was effecting our chronically absent students who were often seen on the D-F list. I wondered if the attendance policy was combating the problem and helping students who were D-F students due to absences last year. After speaking with my assistant site supervisor about this topic, he felt it would be a hard project to correlate and find enough evidence due to the policy being so new. Finally, I have decided to look into the virtual school programs and see if there are ways we can make them more effective in preparing students. I have often wondered as we have seen more technology used, if the virtual option is as effective as the traditional classroom model. There are some aspects found in the classroom that are difficult to recreate on a computer.

Possible subtopics I would like to consider in my study are:

• How do the grades of students in a virtual class compare to the grades of students in a traditional class setting for the same course?




• How do the grades of students in a virtual class compare to their own grades in their traditional classes?




• How do the grades of one virtual class compare to the grades of another? Are there courses that are better suited in preparing students for success?




• Are there ways to improve how virtual classes are used on campus?




• Does it take a specific type of student to be successful in virtual school?

Are there other questions that come to mind as you read my list?

What is Action Research and How I Will Use It?

Action research is an interactive reflective cyclical process that can be used by educational leaders to actively inquire about an issue, collect and analyze data, and incorporate change or improvement based on their findings. I have learned that it can be used as an effective learning tool, as well as, used by educational leaders to model learner-centered leadership for their students and staff. This is an important aspect of action research for educational leaders. Allowing your staff to see that as the leader of the school, you are willing to actively seek out solutions or improvements for your school, shows the school community that you require an active role in the success of your campus. Action research calls for collaboration and dialogue amongst the group, which allows staff members and stakeholders to actively be involved in the research process. This can lead to accountability amongst the staff and can serve as a motivator for teacher improvement in the classroom. I have also learned that action research can be used by educational leaders to gain a deeper insight into their leadership role in school improvement and educational reform efforts.

I can use action research to work towards answers to problems and improvements within my school outlined on my Intern Plan. I can use action research in planning effective professional development activities for my campus. Also, I feel that as an intern, getting in a habit of using inquiry and reflection weekly will be helpful in forming healthy habits that will follow me into future educational leadership positions.

Educational leaders can use blogs to collect their ideas as an inquisition unfolds. They can be used as an online diary that can be easily revisited and updated as new developments are made to educational research. Blogs can also be used to allow for personal reflection as well as a way to gain feedback and insight from others interested in or familiar with the given topic.