Reflection on week 2 of Action Research

I feel like this week was very helpful for my understanding of action research.  I found especially helpful the videos of educators in the field using action research.  It struck me that each of these educators approached action research from a different point of view but all of them believed in the idea of constant improvement in the education system through action research.  In the end I think my definition of action research can be simplified to a process of constant improvement through data analysis and literature review with frequent evaluation and adjustments.  I feel I am ready to launch into my own action research project.

How educational leaders might use a blog.

A blog would be a great way to share an action research process with others involved.  Especially if the educational leader is working with a group in implementing the plan.  Sometimes it is hard to meet in the hustle and bustle of the school year but requiring everyone to check on the blog and make comments once a week would be a good way to keep everyone engaged.

What I have learned about action research.

 I have learned a lot about action research this week.  When I signed up for this course I thought it was just a course about traditional research.  I thought the word action was just thrown in to make it seem more interesting.  Now I know that action research is a very different concept.  It does have some elements of traditional research especially in the literature review phase, but the focus of action research is on problem solving in a specific situation.  It allows for changes as data is analyzed.  It seems to be a very effective way to solve problems in a school.  As I read the texts for this class it brought to mind something my principal often says "we aren't going to do something just because that is the way it has always been done.  We will evaluate everything we do and make sure that it is furthering our vision of educating all our students."  I think this is one of the most powerful aspects of action research.  It actively engages the educator as a problem solver and not just a technician implementing an assigned solution.  I have thought of many ways that I can use action research in my classroom.  I am thinking about doing my action research project on implementing a bring your own device program in my classroom.