At the beginning of Action Research, I was dreading
this course. In my mind, I had the
picture of long hours in the evening being spent reading and “crunching numbers”. The word research sent chills up my
spine. However, through the lectures,
the Dana text and the Harris et al (2009) text, I learned that even though data
and number crunching can be part of the research process, that’s not entirely
what is looked at in an Action Inquiry.
I found the lectures to be informative. I especially enjoyed watching the interviews
with the principals and superintendent.
I found these interesting and inspiring.
The interviews helped alleviate fears that I had concerning action
research.
In the assigned readings, I found the Dana text to
be informational in introducing me to what Action Research really is. In reading the chapter, Administrator Inquiry
Defined, Dana (2009) includes a subtopic, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ENGAGING IN
INQUIRY? p.11. In this section four benefits to action research were identified
and discussed. The overall gist of this
section was that the principal is a leader who should be showing his/her staff
the value in being a life-long learner.
To lead is to continue to learn.
The Harris et al (2009) text was also informative in
giving clear steps into conducting an Action Research. I found the chapter on sustaining improvement
helpful. The CARE model (Harris et al.,
2009, p. 97-98) is a model that I found most beneficial to my current Action
Research project. I also believe that
this model is the most user-friendly of the three methods that have been described.
This was the first course in which I used
blogging. I enjoyed reading the blogs of
others and found their insights helpful.
I plan on continuing to follow several of the blogs to aid in my future
career as an administrator. I also
enjoyed the discussion board. It is
interesting to me that no matter where we are as educators, some of the issues
are the same across the state. Reading
the discussions and blogs, helped me understand the need for Action Research
and how to use it to guide decisions that I may be making as an
administrator.
As for the assignments, for the most part they weren’t
too difficult. The main issue I had
would be finding time for my principal and I to discuss my Action
Research. During this course we’ve had
spring break, numerous meetings, some in which our principal was out for the
entire day, and of course STAAR testing.
Finding time with busy administrators was the most difficult aspect of
this course.
Overall, my fears of the long hours spent on
research have been alleviated and I have gained a useful tool in my career as
an administrator-inquirer.
