After reading a little of the two required textbooks, communicating with my peers in the discussion board and participating in the web conference, I have a different mindset.
Action research is a term used when a person (teacher or administrator) seeks to grow professionally by defining a problem or issue that needs improvement in his/her school. The two textbooks that helped me understand action research are: Leading with Passion and Knowledge - The Principal as Action Researcher, and Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools - 8 Steps From Analysis to Action.
Action research can be used to solve school-wide issues as well as allow teachers to improve upon their teaching practices.
There are many ways educational leaders can use blogs. First, educational leaders can use blogs to collaborate with other leaders who are in similar situations. They provide an outlet for discussion and sharing with others. Blogs can provide a discussion board to address hot topics in education immediately instead of in monthly magazines and yearly conferences.
That is so funny....I was so nervous and second guessing my decision to go back to school. I have two kids as well and finding the balance was going to be trick.
ReplyDeleteI felt so much better after the two web conferences and now have some "classmates" to be in contact with that have the same type feelings as I do. Thanks for posting this...it really helped me realize I am not alone and we can do this together!
I think it's going to be helpful to be in contact with classmates. I am still very nervous and feel like I'm always behind everyone else on the web conferences! I tried to log in to banner during the web conf and evidently I forgot my password because now I'm locked out :( I hope that by reading the blogs of my classmates I can get more info and feel more at ease too!
DeleteI too was a little nervous when I saw "Research" in the title of our next course. Now that I have been reading the text I am actually very excited because it is such a open approach to dealing with issues within our school. I have also gained even more respect for my principal because she utilizes this method in our school to deal with issues. We conduct PLCs and she is often collecting data and continously reviewing processes and procedures to have a healthy school environment.
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