Action Research Draft Plan

Jen Willand's Action Research Plan in Draft Form

Week 2 Reflections

This has been a challenging week to say the least. From an emergency surgery due to a severe infection to managing three kids and classwork, I'm feeling overwhelmed. And not to mention that there is a new job prospect in the very near future. Maybe there should be an action research project on how a wife, mother of three young children, full time educator, and full time student can accomplish it all! Just kidding (although I would find it interesting to look at how I get it all done at times).

In regards to the action research piece, I found it a struggle to narrow it down. Each inquiry I found had an important and interesting relationship to my school. And then on top of it, I became more intrigued as my classmates posted their ideas. I become excited and then overwhelmed. But, in the end, it was what my students are in most dire need of that pushes my action research.

My project will be based on the Response To Intervention (RTI) program and how it relates to the English as a Second Language Learners (ESL) at my school. I am curious as to the types of strategies my students are learning, as well as the amount of time they are spending in addition to regular class time. We will have to see how this whole project proceeds...

Educational Leaders as Bloggers

In this world of growing technology, educators are not to be forgotten. Students have become accustomed to playing, searching, listening, and learning with technology. One important way that the leaders of educational professionals could use blogs is by having discussions. I envision myself creating a blog for my school in which I pose questions, post ideas, and share insight, and then my staff will have the opportunity to respond, collaborate, and share their insight. I could even go so far as to open it up to the community members and parents. If we had a blog on our school's website, we would be fortunate enough to have parents find out important information, teachers could share ideas, and students could watch the interactions, as well as participate. One of the downfalls, however, is in that it could become a negative grinder. I do not want the blog to be a place where negativity breeds. The blog would need to have boundaries and rules, and if one could not conform to those rules, then they would not be allowed to participate. It would take monitoring by myself, my administrators, and my technology specialist in my building.

Action Research Description and Use

Action research involves hands-on, inquisitive, reflective people. I see it as a trial-and-error type of research. It's taking an idea, asking questions about the process, the steps, the goals, etc., and then setting it all in motion. The data is gathered from the process, and then a reflection takes place. Sharing can take place with a group of people to discuss what works, what doesn't work, how to change it, more questions that have come up, and commendations for jobs well done. These are steps that seem to be missing in the practicum work done at many teacher preparatory colleges and universities.  As Nancy Fitchman-Dana (2009) remarks, "Simply stated, practitioner inquiry is defined as systematic, intentional study of one’s own professional practice. Inquiring professionals seek out change by reflecting on their practice. (p. 9)" The action portion comes from the conversations, the asking of questions, seeking out answers through practice, and then reflecting. I feel the reflection portion is vital. Many times I would try something out in the classroom, and then continue on with my required lessons. When I wanted to try the process again, I would forget pieces. If I had written them down in a sort of journal, I would've been able to know exactly what I had done.

I know that I can use action research within my school building. Even though I am out of the classroom and a testing coordinator, I still have the ability to influence the teachers and students on my staff. I meet with the teachers to train them, and since the first semester is usually slower for me, I can establish a PLC (Professional Learning Community). I will gather a group of teachers who are willing to find ways to improve our at-risk students. We will discuss ways in which we can improve our scores on the state TAKS tests, in particular Reading scores with our LEP students (Limited English Proficiency). Then we will practice different strategies learned through traditional research of reading articles, identifying proven strategies that have worked for others, and also finding new ways that we would like to experiment. We will use data from assessments, practices, observations, and activities to drive our future decisions.

References:

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.