Week 2 Reflection

Not only did I learn a few things this week, I've started to gain a new perspective.  This is my 10th year as a teacher, which means I've spent 10 years with only one perspective.  The last few weeks have been interesting in that I've begun to think from an administrator's point of view.  If for some reason I don't become a principal one day, I think this experience will at least provide me with a better understanding of what administrators deal with on a daily basis.  The 9 Passions/Wonderings made a lot of sense to me when I put them in a principal's context.  There are a lot of things to think about from an administrator's position.  I have enjoyed learning about action research, primarily because I think it's important to utilize the staff members on campus to help reach school/district goals. 

How educational leaders might use blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs for a variety of things.  A blog might be useful for sharing ideas for campus change and/or vision.  It can also be used to update staff on CLT and PLC meetings.  Or, it could simply be used as a way for a principal to share ideas on action research and connect with other administrators.  No matter what educational leaders choose to use their blog for, they can always benefit from the feedback from others.

Action Research

Action Research involves 4 key phases.  Phase 1:  Define and issue of study.  Phase 2:  Review of Professional Literature.  Phase 3:  Take Action.  Phase 4:  Use and Share Results.  According to Dana (2009) action research focuses on the administrator’s own practice, rather than focusing on control or explaining a process.  It differs from other types of research primarily due to the fact that it’s a reflective approach.  A principal may use action research through university coursework, district meetings, leadership teams, and professional learning communities (Dana, 2009, pg. 20-21).

Through reading about action research I have come to realize that I already use the basic structure of it.  It’s common for me to reflect on lessons I teach or problem areas in my classroom.  Rather than review professional literature, I tend to seek advice from my colleagues and administration.  From there I change the lesson or process and follow-up by using results in other classes.

I’ve learned the difference is that I now have a better understanding of what action research is and how it differs from Process-Product and Qualitative/Interpretive Research (Dana, 2009).  I plan to gain a better understanding of action research through my internship by attending CLT meetings.  Once I become an administrator I plan to continue CLT meetings, as well as PLC’s and district meetings.  I think it’s important in today’s educational setting that we remember to utilize our experts within the school, rather than using the outside in approach (Dana, 2009).

Reference:

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