Research Plan

I have had difficulty posting my research plan in the proper format, so I opened a Scribd account and have downloaded my plan. You can see my plan at the link below. Take a look and let me know what you think!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/35166809/Tool-7-1-Research-Plan

Week 3 Reflection

As I reflect on this week I think the thing that has been the most valuable learning is about the amount of details that are involved in the action research. Doing the plan has made me think through, very carefully, the plan for the teacher professional development that we will be starting when school begins. I think I have changed the plan a number of times and I am still trying to think through schedules, and how to fit in the best possible form of learning for those teachers that agreed to go throught he coaching cycle. (Zone of Proximal Development) This is difficult not having worked with these teachers before. Still thinking it through.....

Reflection for the Week

As I read this week I realize there are so many opportunities to use action research in my practice. I am keeping a notebook of the ideas I have read so that when the time comes, I can begin to inquire into some of these ideas. I think that the use of action research really promotes buy-in from the stakholders involved and will get the participants to make changes that will bring about whole school change.

Educational Leaders and Blogs

I think the best way for leaders to use the blog is as a reflective journal. I love the idea of recording the leaning process of the beginning years with the possibility of having something like a cadre to share with. Like a first year AP academy with a small group of new AP's. Then the same idea for the first year principal. I think it would be a wonderful support.

Action research as a valuable tool

Action research is a valuable tool for principals to use in a number of ways. With Principal inquiry, the principal engages in an examination of her own practice in a systematic way and upon reflection takes action for change. I think this would be an ideal opportunity for the principal new to a campus to set the standard for learning and study based expectation by modeling the practice of inquiry. There are several different ways of performing action research and I think the one I will use is the eight steps because I like the idea of a maintenance step at the end of the research because once the inquiry is finished and the hard work of finding what works best for students or principals, there should be revisiting of the work to continue the success or a reevaluation as necessary. The process of action research will bring about a clearer understanding for all those involved in the inquiry and the ultimate goal is instructional
excellence that leads to student achievement and student success. Action research is an area that I feel I have a strength because as a Literacy Coach we promote research based best practices to support teachers. Next year the third, fourth and fifth grade teachers on my campus will be participating in inquiry to improve their teaching practices, so this exercise will support me in the work I will be doing with teachers next year.