EDLD 5301 Final thoughts

Research…


When I began this course that word brought to mind many unpleasant thoughts. I immediately foresaw endless hours spent on exploring the possibilities of a multitude of theories that may never see the light of day in a classroom. I also envisioned preparing a summary that would include volumes of unintelligible data and uninteresting details. Simply, I was dreading the prospect of research. Early in the course of this class I was pleasantly surprised to learn that what we were exploring was action research. I had never heard of this term, but I soon learned that action research was simply a method for investigating any issue that may be occurring at a school. Action research involves looking at a campus’ specific issues, and then collaborating within the staff of that campus to identify actions to be implemented and re-evaluated.

The process, described by Harris, Edmonson, and Combs (2010), involved eight steps:

1. Setting the Foundation

2. Analyzing Data

3. Developing Deeper Understanding

4. Engaging in Self Reflection

5. Exploring Patterns

6. Determining Direction

7. Taking Action

8. Sustaining Improvement (p.1).



The process was defined by Dana (2009) as simply asking a question, collecting and analyzing data related to the question, implementing action steps created to answer the question, reflecting on the solutions, sharing the results of the research, and then determining if additional actions need to be done to solve other problems related to the original question. Dr. Arterbury defined action research in the simplest of terms in the week 1 lecture of this course when he stated “action research inquiry requires a systematic approach to collecting data and solving a problem.”

After I had determined a clearer definition of what action research was, I embarked on the process of developing an action research plan. Wow, I initially perceived the task as overwhelming, but through the assignments I was able to tackle each step in a systematic manner. I felt that determining a wondering was in the bag. I would investigate the impact our Response to Intervention process had on student performance on my campus. Check off step one. Not so. My administrator was concerned about that topic, and through much discussion we decided on a new topic – the impact Professional Learning Communities have on student performance. With that topic in mind, we also proceeded to lay out the plan for my action research project. Week by week, I completed parts of the whole with each new assignment and have now ended up with a complete proposal for an action research project. I look forward to completing the research project through collecting student performance data, interviewing staff involved in PLC’s, analyzing student performance, and other steps listed in my plan. I am thoroughly interested in learning more about data collection, and see this project as an opportunity to gain further understanding of appropriate methods to use when dealing with data. I hope that whatever results I develop and share with my colleagues will assist my campus in determining changes that need to be made in using PLC’s to improve student performance.

Many things contributed to my learning during this course, but I believe that the discussion boards and blogs have added the most to my understanding of action research. My blog has evolved as a safe place where I can pose questions and find solutions with the assistance of my colleagues and cohort members. It has also been an option for simply posting reflections, and considering the reflections of others. I quickly found myself checking the blogs that I follow to see if anyone had posted insights that may help me in my own work. In this way, blogging is serving as an amazing method for collaboration in today’s schools. Similarly, I perceive the support and suggestions that have been offered through the discussion boards in this class as one of its most important components. This is my eighth course in this program, and I have learned that there is a wealth of information that the participants hold collectively that will never be learned from reading texts and articles, or listening to lectures.



References:

Arterbury, E., & Jenkins, S. EDLD 5301 Research: Week one lecture [PDF document]. Retrieved from https://lamar.epiclms.net/Learn/Player.aspx?enrollmentid=1301856.

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.