Action Research

What I Have Learned About Action Research

Before beginning the course about action research, I had very little understanding of the subject as it refers to administrators. I have learned that action research allows the school leader to have more of a self-reflective, proactive role on any inquiry based school initiative. It is a tool that can be used by administrators to untangle the intricate web of day to day demands and take charge of their own professional development and become a "head learner" at the school. Action research does not require "outside experts" who have no clue about the climate or needs of a school. It involves the practitioner, the one who understands what is going on in the school, in the research process. With action research, the practitioner is more involved in the process, actively gains insight into problems, and searches for possible recommendations all within the walls of the school. To become an effective leader, I would consider action research a vital tool to use. It would allow me to function on an as needed basis. I would be able to take on the problems that arise, collect data on specific practices and then make changes to better serve the need of my campus. Since the data collected will be for a defined problem, the solution would be specifically for the problem identified. Action research works on the basis of determining what works and how to make it better.

How Educational Leaders Can use Blogs

I can see many benefits for us, as educational leaders to use blogs. One of the great benefits is the collaboration that it will allow. As a principal, you are the only one like you in your building and that is sometimes a very lonely place. It is also the place where almost everyone else in the building expects to come for answers. Blogging is way of gaining insight from other principals, sharing ideas with them and exploring ideas to a deeper level than you would all by yourself. In other words, it gives you a larger audience for your thoughts and a way to receive feedback.

Reference:
Dana, Nancy Fichtman, (2009), Administator Inquiry Defined. In Leading with passion and knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher, Thousan Oaks, CA: Corwin