Final Reflection

       Action research is the process of creating systemic change for an immediate need on campus.  This research process begins with an administrator inquiring or wondering about a specific topic.  According to the Dana text (2010), “administrator inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in systemic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry”(p. 2).  Before I began EDLD 5301 Action Research I considered research as something done in the library with strictly books and periodicals.  I soon learned in week one of the class that action research goes way beyond literature review.  I learned that quality action research takes and addresses a very specific problem on campus  Through this course I have learned that action research data can be gathered by many methods such as surveys, interview, and test scores.

Collaboration is a very important quality trait for any action research project.  In this course the class used many different venues to communicate with each other.  One way that the class communicated was through the discussion board.  Each week the class was asked to post key aspects of an action research project.  We then commented on at least two of our colleagues’ posts.  These comments led to many changes in my action research project.  When I first began my action research project I was going to see how students and teachers were affected by using the flipped classroom model opposed to the traditional teaching model.  With help from the others in class I narrowed my topic to strictly students hoping to be able to better focus on the biggest area of need on our campus.  Another way that our class communicated was through blogs.  I heard of blogs prior to this class, but I have never considered how useful blogging could be in the educational field.  I learned quickly how inexperienced I am when I was trying to setup my blog.  I soon learned when comments started coming in about my action plan the true benefit of a blog.  Some of my fellow classmates gave me advice on my research project.  One person gave me additional websites to go to for resources over my action research topic.  I will try to keep everyone updated on the progress of my action research project using this technology resource. 

One of the scariest parts of this course was the week we were asked to develop our own action research project.  Luckily, we had a resource that served as a guide.  The Harris text (2010) provided me with a template that I used to establish my research project.  The template was well defined with areas for action steps, persons responsible, timeline, needed resources, and evaluation.  This was tremendous help.  When I am an administrator I will continue using this template to guide future research projects.  The Harris text (2010) also had a section that helped ensure the action research was addressing 8 key components needed in any school improvement project. 

Lastly, I learned that action research should not be an area that is intimidating.  I learned that action research is where many of the substantial changes in the school system begin.  I learned that setting up and action research project, while daunting at times, is definitely not as intimidating as I originally thought.  I look forward to discovering how my action research project may affect the way teachers operate in their classrooms.  In closing I learned that action research in a vacuum is pointless.  The researcher needs to reflect and communicate his or her results appropriately so that others may implement meaningful change on their campus.      

 

References:

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

 Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 Steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

EDLD 5301 Action Research Week 3

Flipping the Classroom- Action Research Plan
Goal: The goal of my action research plan is see if student achievement in advanced mathematics is increased by using the flipped classroom model compared to the traditional teaching model.
Action Step(s):	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Students will take common summative assessments from previous years and their scores will be compared. Students' AP exams scores will also be used to compare the effectiveness of the flipped model	Myself Laura Denna Chris	January 2013 to August 2013	The teachers will need access to last year’s scores as well as the scores for the previous classes AP exams.	A group of teachers will use this year’s scores on multiple assessments using the flipped approach and compare them with previous years data. This will include summative assessments during class and AP exams at the end of the year.
2. Students will be given a survey asking questions about the effectiveness of the flipped classroom model.	Myself	January 2013 to August 2013	Questions: On a scale of 1 to 5 1 being very ineffective to 5 being very effective how would you rate the following: 1. How effective where online video lessons at preparing you for in class assignments? 2. How effective was this format while working on textbook assignments? 3. How effective was using the flipped classroom model at preparing you for the AP exam? Question 4 would be open: 4. What changes if any would you make to the flipped classroom structure in the future? Question 5 Would you recommend using the flipped classroom approach in the future? Y or N	I along with my site supervisor will use the data gained by surveying the student to analyze the effectiveness of the teaching model.
3. Interview a teacher on another campus that is using the flipped classroom model	Myself Dewey	January 2013-May 2013	I will need time granted and permission from my supervisor. I will need a voice recorder and voice to text software	I will write a reflection over the interview and share it with my site supervisor and campus committee.
4. Join a flipped classroom committee	Myself Chris Denna Katie	January 2013-December 2013	Data from teachers and questions that teachers need investigated. Problems teachers are having that are trying to flip their classrooms	We will be using the committee to investigate the effectiveness of the flipped classroom approach and looking at ways that we can help teachers to implement this model effectively in their classrooms.
5. Research the effectiveness of the flipped classroom on students and teachers.	Myself	January 2013-December 2013	I will need books from the library and access to the internet.	I will use the information to share with my committee and site supervisor to make adjustments to our flipped classroom model.
6. Attend a flipped classroom conference webinar.	Myself	January 2013-December 2013	Alan November Webinar at Allen High School	I will attend a webinar conference on flipped classroom to self reflect on what I am doing in my calculus classroom. I will use this reflection and adjust my lessons accordingly.

EDLD 5301 Week 2 Action Research Reflection

As I was looking at the courses for the educational administration program at Lamar University I have to admit this research course intimidated me more than any of the others.  I was worried I would not be able to come up with a topic that has not been researched on my campus.  I teach in a very large school.  The district has many people that are constantly looking for ways to improve each campus.  I originally only considered doing research over areas involving curriculum.  As I was reading the text Leading with Passion and Knowledge by Nancy Fitchman Dana, I realized there are many areas on my campus that I previously did not consider.  The book mentions nine areas that are ripe for action research.  These areas include: Staff Development, Curriculum development, Individual teachers, Individual students, School Culture, Leadership, Management, School Performance, and Social Justice (2009).  One research topic I did not consider until reading the text came to mind involving individual students.  Our district has a summer program for students that want to get-ahead in mathematics.  I have heard many of my colleagues mention that they feel this program is not adequately preparing these advanced students for the next class.  One research topic that should be considered on our campus should be "How does the online summer get-ahead mathematics program affect the performance of the students in their future math classes?"  I really feel this topic would be very valuable for the students and the school.      

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

5301 Action Research Week 1 Assignment

Action Research

According to Dana (2009) administrative inquiry or action research is the systematic process where principals examine their professional practice in order to find areas to change to further enhance learning and school improvement (page 2). Administrators can solely, or with a collaborative group inquire about a localized problem. Working with the staff the administrators can propose and implement changes to address the problem. The research or inquiry occurs when data is collected and analyzed to determine if the specific changes are working or if any modifications need to be made. I have learned through the study this week the difference between traditional educational research and action research. The traditional educational research model uses research gathered on the outside to bring about a specific educational reform.  These reforms are more on a broad scope than at the local level.  One way that action research is being conducted on our campus is with the “flipped classroom” model.  The administration has asked many of the teachers at the high school to flip their classrooms.  A group of teachers that are flipping their classrooms including myself are meeting monthly to determine the effectiveness of this teaching approach.   The administration is going to use data gathered this year to see if the "flipped classroom" model should be implemented throughout the campus.   
         
 

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action

          researcher.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

 

How can educational leaders use blogs?

The administrators can use blogs to check the pulse of what is happening in the school. The blogs can encourage parental, student, and teacher involvement.  The blogs can also be used to communicate with other administrators from different districts.  By blogging information can be shared with parents and parental concerns can be voiced and addressed in a timelier manner.