In regards to picking a topic for my action inquiry, that was probably the simplest of all tasks during this course. As the Technology Director, I have often wondered whether our implementation procedures truly assist the teachers in successful technology integration. This summer, my district purchased an additional 40 interactive whiteboards for all four campuses and various subject areas. In the past, I have scoured the Internet for information regarding the successful implementation of whiteboards but have been disappointed in the lack of quality research. This course has given me the confidence and skills I needed to conduct my own research.
Nancy Dana’s book titled Leading with Passion and Knowledge The Principal as Action Researcher has provided me with knowledge and skills that I will carry with me throughout my career. The first thing that struck me is that action research is not about some dry subject that you are disinterested in, but it is truly research into yourself as an administrator and what drives you. As Dana states “wonderings materialize at the nexuses of the real-world observations, dilemmas, felt difficulties, and passions that you develop in your work as an administrator” (2009, p. 30). Action research is not just about improving my school or district, but about improving myself and my own practices as well. This is done by finding my passions and searching for solutions through the collection of data.
The usefulness of collecting data to help improve my knowledge and practice became quite clear as we employed blogs in our coursework. By sharing my wonderings and subsequent research plans, I was able to collaborate with fellow cohort members to improve my inquiry. This was also true when I posted to the course discussion board. My classmates provided me with insights that helped to guide my inquiry and also led me to further wonderings. For instance, MamaEstes posted “My only suggestions would be to not overlook the importance of teacher and student reflections, observations by teachers of student behavior/grades, and providing samples of teacher and student work using the boards” (2010). While I planned to have both teachers and students complete multiple choice surveys, I had not considered having them write actual reflections. Through the reflection process, they would be given the opportunity to state in their own words what they saw and felt about the boards, and would not be limited to the four choices I provided for answers. Without the collaboration of blogs and the discussion board, I may have missed a key opportunity to collect relevant data.
While the lectures were useful as background information, it was the assignments themselves that truly introduced me to the world of action research and how such inquiries could be valuable to me as an administrator. In writing and rewriting my action plan, I was forced to really consider what knowledge I hoped to gain from the inquiry as well as the best means of collecting the data. Harris, Edmonson and Combs point out that a written action plan may not be necessary, but it does assist in keeping the inquiry focused and provides a form of communication to share with the district (2009). Once again, this also allowed me to share my plan with classmates and benefit in their knowledge, opinions and feedback.
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. (2009). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 9 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, N.Y.: Eye on Education.
Mamaestes. (2010, July 24). Re: Week 4 revised action plan [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://leimer5301research.blogspot.com/2010/07/week-4-revised-action-plan.html#comments.
