Action Plan Draft (Week 3)

Week 3 required us to complete a draft action plan for our research inquiry. I belief the action plan is extremely important to prevent steps from being skipped and to ensure the project is completed on time.


Google Docs link:
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1ZpR2uqtOUgAK-OYBypIBqiSVvOJD3byMlA1oMfbLUAw&hl=en&authkey=CIHWkNUD

Selecting an Action Inquiry Topic - Week 2

During week 2 our assignment revolved around nine areas that can result in topics for our action inquiry. The subject matter concentrated on principal topics so we had to think outside the box to relate these topics to technology issues. The lesson reinterated that we need to reflect on current practices, utilize all the resources available, do not re-invent the wheel (use other school's research and save time), and think outside the box.

On another note, I can say that the overall action inquiry is a management method that I can use in my current position as Human Resources Regional Manager. As a manager I have often inquired on how we can do something different or better or I hear suggestions or comments from my staff. I look forward to finding ways to relate this function to my current management issues and to my training facilitaiton duties.

Educational Leaders and Blogs (week 1)

After creating my first blog, I now wonder why more educational leaders do not use a blog to share information and carry on educational related conversations. For example, principals are surrounded by students, parents, and staff all day. Seldom do they have the opportunity to interact with other principals. Blogging would allow them to discuss a variety of administrative topics with other principals from their district or from other states or even around the world.

Another example of how educational leaders could use blogs would be with their own staff. Often a principal wants feedback from teachers but the teachers need time to evaluate and reflect on the principals request. A blog would allow the principal to post the topic or issue and each of the teachers to reflect and respond. All the information could then be gathered and evaluated by the principal and then taken to a staff meeting. This could save staff from spending hours in staff meetings debating issues that they then have to come back to again discuss.

What I learned about action research/inquiry (week 1)

Action research or inquiry "refers to the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry" (Dana, 2009, p 2). Action inquiry utilizes inside staff to research, determine a course of action, and implement that action plan. In other words, action inquiry keeps the entire process within the walls of the school, unlike traditional educational research where the inquiry is conducted by outside experts. Personal involvement is one of the top benefits of conducting action inquiry. Instead of admitting there is a problem within your school and handing that problem over to an outsider, action inquiry allows the school employees (administrator and/or teachers) to stay involved. Who better to question your current practice than yourself? Since the entire process is done within the school walls, the intent is that the teachers and administrators are more receptive because they have been involved in the entire process and have personal ownership of the process. Additionally, staff do not have an outsider coming in to tell them what they are doing wrong. However, this takes self evaluation, honesty, and the abilit to think outside the box.

I personally learn better by doing rather than by someone else giving me instructions from an end result without me following the entire process. I like to be involved and I have a better understanding and action inquiry does just that. The process also helps staff and administrators work together as a team. In addition, the inquiry challenges the participants to venture away from the typical standard of "that's the way we have always done it" and think outdie the box.

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