Week 3 EDLD 5301: What I learned about action research

This week I learned it will be important for me to collaborate and share my thought with others.  We all see and approach thing differently and to get a true picture of a subject you must take different points of view into consideration. This will also help me to interpret my data better without biases and give me a true picture of what the data is saying. This will help me to conduct a sound project with reliable outcomes. 

Action Research Plan

1. Examining the work: Setting the Foundation –

Through discussions with my site supervisor, I-Coach, and principal, about the district 11 tools for the 21^st Century training, which focused on using web 2.0 tools and new technology roll out in the classroom it came to my attention that not many teachers were using these new tool.  It was noted that about 30% of teachers on my campus were incorporating these new tool and technology in their classroom and about 5% was using them every day. As a result my questions are: How many teachers have implemented these new tools in their classroom? Have they seen improvements in their student’s success compared to teachers that have not implemented any of the new tools?  How did the teachers receive the training and do they believe they need more training to effectively integrate these new technology devices and tools in their classroom to improve their student performance.

2. Analyzing data-

I will be using qualitative and quantitative data for my action research project. I will use quantities date in the form of test scores, benchmarks, progress reports, and report cards. I will use Qualitative data in the form of interviews, surveys, and observations. I will gather data from key stakeholders on each campus to help me gain a better understanding of my subject. 

3. Developing deeper understanding-

I will use the qualitative and quantitative data to help me build a deeper understanding of my project.  Interviews, surveys and observations will play a key role in this project.  I will use interviews and surveys form the principals, I-Coaches, teachers, students and the district technology director to gain a perspective from all stakeholders involved.

   

Engaging in Self-Reflection-

For my self-reflection I will record and take notes during interviews, and observations, I will discuss my notes with my principals after classroom walk-through to try to better understand my observations and gain another’s perspective on the walk-through.  I share my finding with my site supervisor and other teachers see if I missed anything and if I need to reassess my focus for the project.  I will work on using journaling to keep up with my thought and ideas on my project and share them with other colleagues to gain new insight in to my subject.

5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns-

I have discussed my project with my site supervisor many times and will continue to ask for feedback and advice.  My site supervisor is a tremendous resource, because of her experiences as a technology facilitator for many years. I will also rely on our campus I-Coach for new insight and ideas to use in gathering information about technology and curriculum integration. I will also take time to study experts’ ideas and opinions on my subject.

6. Determining direction-

It is hard for me to determine if I am 100% ready to start my action research project.  I believe my purpose is clear, and I have developed a good plan with the help of my site supervisor, principal, and others. Through constant reflection, my plan might and should change over time as I gain new knowledge and insight.  It is important for me to be aware that it is ok for my plan to change and it can only help my project to be successful.  I will use feedback, suggestions and self-reflection to make the changes as needed.

7. Taking action for school improvement-

I choose template 7.1 to help organize my action research project.  I found this temple worked best for me and my project. I have discussed my project and shared it with key stakeholders on my campus and will rely on their knowledge to help me stay focused on the goal of my project.

8. Sustaining improvement-

I plan to use this project as learning opportunity for me and my colleagues in my district. I will share my findings principals, teachers, technology facilitators, and the technology director for the district. I will share my findings with anyone who is interested in my project because I believe it will help teachers and students in my district become more successful. 

Action Research Plan
Goal: To examine the effectiveness of the district training and new technology on student performance.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Obtain principal’s permission to conduct action inquiry on 2 sites. • Northbrook Middle • Landrum Middle School	Samarence Hill	November, 5 2012- November – November,09 2012	Written document indicating the principal at each site grants  permission for this action inquiry project to be conducted on their site	N/A
2. Survey teachers at both sites regarding their feeling on how effective they believe the district’s 11 tools training was? Have they implemented any of the new tools or technology in to their lesson plans?  How comfortable are they with using the new tools and devices, do they believe they need further training from the distinct on how to incorporate the new tools and technology in their lesions.	Samarence Hill	November, 12 2012 – November, 30 2012	Google forms or Survey Monkey Email	Spreadsheet of answers, graph results or each answer set
3. Examine Prior year STAAR, Proficiency and Benchmark data prior to the technology training and roll out on each campus.	Samarence Hill	November, 12 – November, 30 2012	Student data collected from Eduphoria STAAR Benchmarks Proficiency Average semester grades in 4 core subjects	Spreadsheet of student data.
4. Examine classroom performance data comparing teachers who have implemented technology more into their lesions verses teachers that have not.	Samarence Hill	November, 12 – November, 30 2012	Eduphoria and Skyward Benchmarks Progress reports Report cards Test	Spreadsheet of student data.
5. Select 2 – 3 teachers from each campus at different stages of technology integration into their lesson plans to interview and observe.	Samarence Hill	December, 10 2012 – December, 14 2012	Written permission from each teacher inquiry project to be conducted within their classroom	N/A
6. Conduct interview and observations with 2 – 3 teachers from each campus at different stages of technology integration into their lesson plans	Samarence Hill	January, 7 2013 - February, 1 2013	Voice recorder Interview Questions Notebook for written notes	Summary of interview from recording . Notes from observation
7. Conduct interview with both site principals and I-coaches regarding their feeling about the district’s 11 tools for the 21st Century trainings and technology roll out and what effect they believe it has had on their teachers and student performance.	Samarence Hill Principal NMS Valerie Johnson LMS Luis Pratts	February, 11 2013 – February, 15 2013	Voice recorder Interview Questions Notebook for written notes	Summary of interview from recording Notes taking at interview
8. Conduct an interview with the district technology director in charge of the 11 tools for the 21st Century trainings, and share some of my impressions and information with her.	Samarence Hill Director Sheridan Alford	February, 18 –February, 22 2013	Voice recorder Interview Questions Notebook for written notes	Summary of interview from recording Notes taking at interview
9. Participate in walk through with principals looking for technology integration in teachers lesson plans on campus.	Samarence Hill Principals	November, 12 – October, 4 2013	Notebook for written notes	Summary of observations and discussions with principals
10. Conduct student survey regarding how technology is being used in their classes.	Samarence Hill	February, 11 – 2013 March, 8 2013	Google forms Students Gmail accounts	Spreadsheet of answers, graph results or each answer set
11. Re-survey teachers at both sites regarding if their feeling on how effective they believe the district’s 11 tools training has changed? Have they implemented more or less of the new tools and technology in to their lesson plans?  Have they become more comfortable with using the new tools and devices, do they still believe they need further training from the distinct on how to incorporate the new tools and technology in their lessons.	Samarence Hill	October,7  2013 –  November, 1 2013	Google forms or Survey Monkey	Spreadsheet of answers, graph results or each answer set
12. Examine student data from the recent year’s Benchmark and Proficiency scores and determine what, if any effect the new technology and training had on student performance.	Samarence Hill	November, 8 2013 – December, 6 2013	Student data collected form Eduphoria STAAR Benchmarks Proficiency Average semester grades in 4 core subjects	Spreadsheet of student data.

My week 3 Action Research Question

Purpose:

The research project is to examine the effectiveness of the district 11 Tools for the 21st Century Learner (web 2.0 tools) training and new technologies on student performance. 

Problem:

It has been estimated that only about 30% of teachers have implemented some of the web 2.0 tools and only about 5% use them every day in the classroom on my campus.

Significance:

The district spent a lot of money on the new technology and trainings. As a result, it is important to evaluate how teachers utilized this technology and assess if student performance improved through technology integration.  Based on this type of information, I will investigate the effectiveness of the training which will assist the district to determine if teachers need additional training.  Students and teachers will benefit from better training if needed.

Wondering:

1. How many teachers have implemented these new tools in their classroom?
2. Have they seen improvements in their student’s success compared to teachers that have not implemented any of the new tools? 
3. How did the teachers receive the training and do they believe they need more training to effectively integrate these new technology devices and tools in their classroom to improve their student performance.

My agreed upon action research topic:

This summer, my school completed the 11 tools training for the 21th century, after completing the trainings, the district provided new computers, chrome books, I pads etc… to be used in the classrooms.  The training focused on introducing web 2.0 tools and how they might be implemented in the classroom. 

My wonderings are:

1. How many teachers have implemented these new tools in their classroom?
2. Have they seen improvements in their student’s success, compared to teachers that have not implemented any of the new tools?  

Week 2 EDLD 5301: What I learned about action research

What I learned this week is that action research can be very important tool across all areas of education.  The best way to make sound and effective decisions for change is to relay on your data.  Today we can collected and interpret data in hours or a day compared to the past when it took weeks.  As administrators and teachers we must leverage this technology to produce a better and safer environment for our students to achieve academic success.   

Week 1 EDLD 5301: Educational leaders and blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs to communicate with faculty, staff, student, and parents.  Blogs allow leaders to share their vision and ideas for the school and how they would like to achieve their goals.  It also allows them to collect feedback from others thought comments.  They can share progress updates what success they have already made.  This could also be a good tool for building relationship and promoting community involvement in the school. 

Week 1 EDLD 5301: What I learned about action research

This week I have learned that Dana( 2009), defines administrative inquiry as, “the process of a principal engaging in a systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry” (p. 2). IT administrative inquiry differs from traditional research in education because it relies on research performed within the school or district and not from outside experts.  Administrative inquiry is essential in continuing to make improvements in education. Reflecting and questioning our progress, seeking what is necessary for improvement allows for the how we the necessary adjustment to make the educational system better. 

As a special education teacher of students with Autism our program is setup and driven by action research.  We collect data on our students daily and asses their performance and what changes we need to make to help them be successful in and out of our classroom. I collaborated with other teachers and district specialist on a weekly base to help improve and make changes to strategy and teaching methods. I will work on increasing the amount of time I use to reflect on my classroom and knowledge of the research in my field.

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge, the principal as action researcher. Corwin Press.