Week 2 Research Class Reflection

     During week two of the research class, many examples of action research were given in the readings. One of the things learned is that there are several practical ways of doing action research. It's not some sort of boring and drawn out academic jargon. This results of this type of research is very useful and can be modified at certain to accommodate changes that may come along. 

     Action research also appears to be a relatively simple method of inquiry. So far, it appears that the most challenging thing about research, right now, is figuring out what topic to inquire about. At the current moment there have three questions formulated for the beginnings of my action research project. It is my hope to be able to further develop those questions into an acceptable work with some useful findings.

Educational Leaders use of Blogs

Educational leaders can greatly benefit from the use of blogs in their action research projects. It can be used as a source of data collection. Blogs also offer the option for others to provide feedback in order for the active researcher to gain more insight as to how to further develop a solution to their current problem/issue that that needs improvement (Dana, 2009, p.87-89).

Reference:

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

What have I learned about Action Research?

I have learned that action research is when educational practitioners engage in the process of purposeful study of ones own daily activities and/or practices in the educational setting. After careful study has been given to the activities and/or practices, the practitioner is to take an active role in changing whatever needs changing as a result of their studies.

This type of research would be very beneficial to me as an educator. Action research can help to improve my classroom by causing me to reflect on classroom management, instruction, and/or other classroom issues that come up. Classroom instruction would probably be one of the things that I would want to research on a periodic or yearly basis. After each year, it should become a habit to reflect on what worked well, what could have been done better, where could improvements be made, and how should it all get done. Collaborating with other teachers would most definitely be of great use. More than one brain working to get things done is always better than one.

Another use for this research style would be for when I am serving in a leadership role where it would be my duty lead and make changes within an organization. I know that this course and research type is primarily used for the educational setting, but I have noticed that action research can be of useful outside the education sector as well. I would like to explore how action research could be used in that way.

Reference:

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.