My reflections on learning about action research

This class surprised me completely, and I actually enjoyed it. I’m in the minority of people who love to crunch numbers from data. My first degree was in Quantitative Business Analysis in quality control and statistics, and is all about trying to figure out how processes can improve. I’ve stated before that I have participated in action research analysis without realizing I was. The next time I am involved in a research plan, I will have the background skills to take the right steps to have a successful outcome as a result of this class. When I read about the force field analysis, I thought this is common sense. We all create pros and cons lists to decide whether to do or not to do something. I found myself laughing at the text because it is so common sense. If there are more positives, then something will succeed.    The Action Planning Template from the book “Examining What We Do To Improve Our School” by Harris, Edmonson and Combs, was a great tool to use because it was easy to use. Once completed, anyone can easily tell what the focus of the research will be, what the wonderings are, what the goals are, and see the steps that will be taken to complete the research project. The template is great guide and timeline for the researchers to follow to stay on target with the plan. I will definitely use this template again.    In reading the Dana text, I enjoyed the way the book was organized. In all of the research I have been involved in have all dealt with Passions 1-4 and 8. My entire job as the instructional technology coordinator is professional development, curriculum development, and working with individual teachers to effect individual students which leads to school performance. I understand the other passions have to be present in the school and cause major problems, but in my current role, I don’t focus on those. Throughout this class, I forced myself to analyze the other passions listed in the book and how my district compares and could it benefit from some of the wondering examples listed in the book.    Also from the Dana text, I loved the concept of “Wondering”. "I wonder if" doesn’t sound as painful as “we need to research this problem”. The words “Research” and “Problem” are negative words. The text gives tons of examples from actual principals or administrators that I started asking myself about my own district.    Again, I enjoyed this class more than I thought I would. The information I have learned will not only help me in my professional career, but I truly believe it will help me in my personal life. It is always good to reflect if you are living up to your potential. I wonder if I am living up to my potential personally and professionally.

Reference:

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action

researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Harris, S, Edmonson, S, & Combs, J. (2009). Examining what we do to improve our

      schools. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.