Reflections

This week as I took a look at all the areas action research is commonly done in, I realized that finding a topic was easier than I thought. I also realized that there are so many areas for inquiry that can benefit me and my colleagues. Questions that popped in my head were things like: how can I support transfer teachers?,  How can we exit children from tutoring?, What are parents perceptions on homework? student perceptions?, and how can we build on what other grade levels are teaching in writing? I feel like I've barely started my project and I'm already excited to continue the inquiry process with some of these other questions.

Also, after meeting with my principal to decide my project, I feel ready to tackle the question of how am I meeting the needs of my ADD/ADHD students? and What strategies are effective for keeping their attention? Stay posted for updates!

Why use blogs?

Blogs open alot of doors for educational leaders. They can provide a way to not only communicate with staff and parents but interact with them. For example, a principal might post on a blog an idea for a school event like a curriculum night. The blog would enable parents and community members to give their input on the planning of the event in a quick efficient way. Furthermore blogs help build communities and form relationships which is a huge goal for schools.

Action Research...huh?

When I first heard the words action research all that came to mind was finding information in the library and having to read a lot of information. However, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that action research is not like that at all. Action research is better termed inquiry. It's a process of posing a question or wondering that's relevant to my life and my educational problems/challenges. Then I take my problem collect data, analyze it, and find relevant information about the problem. Through my findings I decide what changes or adjustments I can make and I implement them. After a period of time I share how it went with colleagues, parents, and/or my fellow grad students. Part of this process is what I already do as a teacher such as analyzing student data and sharing ideas with my co-workers. It's a process that makes research relevant because it will help solve real life problems and impact my students for the better.