Action
research, or administrator inquiry, is when a school leader takes a deeper look
at a question they have about their campus, forms a plan to make changes,
implements those changes, and then reevaluates the question to see if
improvements have been made. To me, “action” is the key word to the phrase, “action
research”. When pulling information from outside resources, you are comparing
apples to oranges. Their situation may or may not be the same as yours. Their
campus demographic may be completely opposite of yours. It is not just
researching the perspectives or programs of other people outside of your
school, but taking an intrinsic look at your own self, your own personal
position, and your own personal campus to see what concerns are apparent, and
to create a plan to try to remedy that situation. The creation of the plan is
done through researching the data of outside sources as well as analyzing the data
you can get from your campus. After implementing changes, the leader should make
sure the changes positively affected the original concern that was addressed.
A
blog can be an excellent way for educational leaders to share ideas with other
leaders in their area or from across the country. The internet is world-wide,
so you can gain insight from anywhere. It can almost be used as a journal for
personal reflection as you experience different obstacles in the leadership
position. A blog can also be used to share your ideas for strategies or
programs that may be helpful in the classroom for your faculty or staff.
Here I was thinking that "Bird" was the word, but it's actually "Action"! Just kidding! ;^), Active participation by the principal, team of researchers, students, parents, stakeholders, etc, all go into this strategy. Every week I participate in a PLC with other non-core teachers. Basically most folks want no extra work load. Finding a group of people, principal included, that are people of action is what it's about! Great start!!
ReplyDeleteAs educational leaders trying to always continue our learning blogs would help so much to be able to not just reach out to the leaders in our district, but the leaders all over the country. I agree with you Meredith on the fact that the key part is action. If we just do the research and never act on it than its pointless. Also make sure that you always include others in the decision making in order to make them feel ownership of the school.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right in saying that campus demographics drive the needs of various campuses. My district is notorious for picking programs that have been successful elsewhere and expecting us to have the same results even though the needs may not match. The outgoing principal on our campus engaged extensively in action research. I did not recognize it until I began this course. Reflection is a big deal to him as well. We were always having to write reflections on things happening on our campus.I hope our new principal is open to action research!
ReplyDeleteI also like using the blog to share ideas and reflect. Again, my district is a little behind the times in use of technology, especially on my campus. In the future, I would love to be able to continue to blog as I move into administrative duties. I think it would be a good sounding board as well as an opportunity for some stress relief if others had similar concerns.
Action is the key word. Research is useful for many things, but action research allows for a more indepth look at what has been done and what needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas about blogging, especially using it to share strategies with the faculty.