Everyone in education is buzzing about action research projects and using the inquiry method to improve student learning. Action research is when teachers and administrators identify a school issue, study the formal publicized research available on the issue, then decide upon which strategy would be best to address the problem. Or the school could have implemented a new strategy and the principal wants to study its effectiveness. After the strategy has been implemented, the team collects data from actual students in the school. Then they analyze the data to determine the effectiveness of the strategy. The team can make changes if necessary until the results show that the process is helping to increase student achievement. And finally, the team will share the information with others so that teachers who are facing the same difficulty can benefit from the research study. One of the most exciting things about action research is that the teachers are also learning as they reflect upon what strategies in their classrooms are working and what strategies need additional revision. Because the teachers are so involved in the process, the school change is owned by those involved. We can all agree that schools need to change to keep up with new society norms and current technology. Action research is one of the most effective ways to help teachers keep the excitement of learning in their own careers. I am looking forward to using some of these new techniques as we begin the new school year. Our math department may become a PLC. We meet weekly during our planning period so I am going to propose a change to our agenda. Most of our math teachers are ready and willing to learn new techniques. I think that the reflection exercises may be difficult at first but as they see the results, we should have less resistance. Many educational leaders will be able to use blogs to share the results from personal and school action research studies. Many schools are facing the same issues every day. When a group finds an effective strategy to address this problem, then, using the communication tool of blogging, others will also benefit. If every school were the same, then solving problems would be so much easier. Blogging will allow schools from everywhere to connect and share information. Blogging is also a great way to reflect upon what is right and what is wrong with your own teaching or leadership style. It is often through reflection that we find new ways to approach a problem.
References:Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps to improve our schools. Eye on Education Press.
I'm glad to see you're going to put this into action when you start back to school! I think you and your colleagues will see it pay off in the long run! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's true, action researh in education is a part of the lastest buzz. I agree action research is exciting because the teachers are learning as they reflect. I am constantly reflecting on lessons I taught and the reactions of the students. Whether they were interested or bored. Also, I analyze student scores to see who did well on certain objectives. Reflection in this area lets me know what I may need to reteach. It sounds like you work with a great bunch of individuals because they are willing to try new techiniques to help the students learn.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, "it is through reflection that we find new ways to approach a problem." Even as teachers, at the end of the day, we reflect on our day, what went well and what didn't. As we reflect, we think of different options or opportunities to try the following day. Especially when it involves student success or classroom management techniques.
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