Action Research......

After learning last week that I may need to reword, rework, or resign my initial action research idea, I find that I am at a loss! There have been a couple of ideas surface, but I am feeling a little insecure about my ability to choose something that I am passionate about. Watch this space as I talk through my ideas.

Using Blogs

Blogs can be used to ask questions of others, gather data, and share thoughts on a variety of subjects thus enabling sharing a conversation related to action research.

What is Action Research?

What I have learned about administrator inquiry, or action research, is that this process is simple yet demands a great amount of thought and effort to complete. In addition, the researcher must understand the difference between this and simple research. Gathering information and determining the steps in which this form of research should be done enhances the findings. Simple research is to be about information gathering but with simple research is the gathering of information and disseminating that information. Researchers provide the active (action) and use results to teach others. This type of research enables growth and development by those who take part in it. I especially like that administrative meetings can be streamlined and avoid the mundane. Action research usually involves other key people within the campus faculty and staff. This would depend on the research being undertaken. In addition to using the research as a way to take the temperature of the staff, but can also provide professional development opportunities that are creative, enjoyable, and provide ideas to increase learning in the school community. Special care should be taken when choosing the venue for this meeting as well as its members. Always follow up with a debriefing and a statement which starts the next meeting. In this research there is a more interaction between the principal and his staff, and it deals with the practices of those involved in the action research. The experiences of a few can enhance the learning and teaching of many.