My Personal Reflections about EDLD 5301

This course was a very interesting course for me.  I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the action research process.  Many of the different assignments forced me to study and evaluate the research plan process.

The readings were very interesting and thorough as they explained different scenarios and situations dealing with different types of research studies.  These readings gave me an insight to see how different solutions and strategies were implemented to help improve the different situations.

The discussion board proved to be a vital tool for this course. I really enjoyed reading many diverse perspectives from so many people on different types of scenarios and situations.  It is very helpful to be able to share in common discussions.  I think it is a good idea for us to have to comment on other people’s ideas and research plans.  For one, we get to see the different dilemmas that are being researched in different settings.  We were also allowed to see how the research plan started to come together and develop into a resolution process for a problem.  I also found it very beneficial to receive constructive criticism and suggestions for my own personal research plan.  It is very helpful to have different sets of eyes read my plan, because it helps me to see things differently and allows me to make adjustments and changes if necessary.  When someone commented on my plan, they brought it to my attention that my research goal was too broad and a little confusing to understand the purpose of my research.  The discussion posts allowed me to make some changes to my plan and hopefully improve it as I was working on it.

I learned a lot from creating my blog and posting different comments and responses to all the others.  This was a great learning experience to help keep me in the social media loop our society is quickly turning to.

Overall, I feel I learned a lot from this course in many different areas of the entire action research plan.  I have gotten a deeper insight of the process and I plan to implement my learning in future courses and in my personal daily practice.

Revised Research Action Plan

I am posting my revised Research Action Plan.  I would like to ask that you read it and please provide me some feedback on the plan.  I would appreciate any constructive criticism or support for my plan.  Thank you in advance for any help you can provide me.

Goal:  Research the connection between environmental factors like parents, siblings, peers, etc. and negative student behavior in a school setting.

 

Action Steps

1. Examine the discipline plan and observe the different types of consequences issued to students.
2. Examine the behaviors exhibited with each referral submitted and repeated offenses.
3. Identify the setting and time of each referral.

 

Persons Responsible

1. I will work with the campus principal to review the discipline plan.
2. I will examine the discipline referrals.
3. I will identify the setting and time of each offense.

 

Timeline:  Start/End

1. January 2013 – June 2013
2. January 2013 – June 2013
3. January 2013 – June 2013

 

Needed Resources:

1. Campus Discipline Plan
2. Discipline report for students and offenses
3. Staff and students

 

Evaluation:

After all data has been gathered and analyzed, I will work with the principal to determine if my action plan was successful in our findings.

Action Research Plan

My Action Research Plan:

 

Goal:  Research the connection between personal issues and negative behaviors.

 

Action Steps

1. Examine the discipline plan and observe the different types of consequences issued to students.
2. Examine the behaviors exhibited with each referral submitted and repeated offenses.
3. Identify the setting and time of each referral.

 

Persons Responsible

1. I will work with the campus principal to review the discipline plan.
2. I will examine the discipline referrals.
3. I will identify the setting and time of each offense.

 

Timeline:  Start/End

1. January 2013 – June 2013
2. January 2013 – June 2013
3. January 2013 – June 2013

 

Needed Resources:

1. Campus Discipline Plan
2. Discipline report for students and offenses
3. Staff and students

 

Evaluation:

After all data has been gathered and analyzed, I will work with the principal to determine if my action plan was  successful in our findings.

Week 2 Reflection

After reflecting on what I've read and learned in this week's assignment, I think what stands out the most in my mind is the video Dr. Briseno presented.  I understand how all decisions made today must be data driven and we must be able to have sound evidence and justification for everything we are doing.  However, the biggest thing that impressed me in the video was the fact that Dr. Briseno said it is so important to allow teachers to collaborate and share ideas with both administration and most importantly with each other.  Teachers are the bearers of knowledge in their classrooms, and it is so important for them to share with each other when they find something that really works.  On the same token, if a teacher is struggling with a certain lesson or student, she must be able to turn to other teachers for some guidance and ideas to help her.  As an administrator, I must be able to use these collaboration strategies to help create a positive climate and safe environment for people to be willing to take risks and help each other.  Teachers are the best resources for other teachers, and I will always try to remember this.

A blog is a great tool to have when discussing different issues. With feedback from other friends or colleagues issues can be resolved and matters can be taken care of.

Action Research

Action research is the process that helps determine if there will be any kind of changes that need to be made in order for a process to work. Action research includes traditional research which takes the research to the next level. It is a process that takes you from asking questions, to research, looking at data and patterns from the data gathered, analyzing implementation,and then leads to more actions and more question.
There are many programs that are implemented through out school districts and no one really knows if they will work. With action research we are now able to gather data and evaluate whether these programs are helping our students. We can work together to come up with different strategies to assist our students but do they really work. We as administrators can create different committees to gather data to help evaluate different programs. These committees can help develop new strategies or interventions to improve effectiveness of each program being implemented. Our education system needs to come up with programs that are effective in helping out students rather than overwhelming our teachers. Teachers are willing to do whatever it takes to help our students, but with effective data analysis we can make our staff job much easier. Action research can be very beneficial in finding some of these solutions.