Week 5 Reflections

This research course has been a great learning experience for me. I somewhat dreaded it at first. I began to feel at ease and excited about what we would be learning in this course after one of our early readings in the Dana text. She seemed to sum up my feelings of dread as “baggage” of the term research. She nailed my thoughts exactly with her words describing what images the term research conjured up, “long hours in the library”, and “crunching numbers”. Dana, N. F. (2009) After reading this, I new I would learn a great deal from this course.
I found the assignments in this course were well designed and walked us through how to begin an action research inquiry. As we built our knowledge of what research was and how it could help our school and us as leaders, we completed steps toward the goal of conducting our own action research. The readings were very helpful and practical and will be a resource for us as we continue to conduct more action research inquiries. The Harris text really gave direction as it laid out steps for developing a topic that our school or district might need action research inquiry. I really found the Strategies for Sustaining Improvement interesting and helpful. The Force Field Analysis, Delphi Method, Nominal Group Technique and Care Model very useful and practical. They undoubtedly will lead to school improvement. Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). It seemed very logical when reading these methods, especially the Force Field Analysis method which says, “In order for change to occur, the driving forces for the change must exceed the resisting forces against the change.” Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (p. 94, 2010)
Through this course, I have discovered the value that a blog can provide. Having people share their comments on my blog and give advice or recommendations to my action plan was very helpful. I plan to continue this throughout my research and will include its use in other research I may conduct. Along the same lines, I found the discussion boards to be interesting and helpful. I found it interesting to read the other action research topics that my colleagues were developing. I can see that networking with other leaders is an important avenue for school growth and professional improvement. Because my experiences have been at a private school I felt less knowledgeable about what public schools were doing in the area of social media tools in education. I was thankful when my colleague, Sandra Kendall posted in the week 3 Discussion Board a comment on my post referencing a spreadsheet of her previous research she had conducted on schools using Twitter and a listing of schools that had Facebook pages.
In this last week, I found the Quality Indicators for Practitioner Research listed in the Dana text very thorough in its review of an action plan. They are very useful in making sure that your research results in action. Also the importance of making your work transferable to others really made an impression on me.

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Pubs.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools: Eight Steps from Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education.

My Action Plan

After making some necessary changes I have posted my Research Action Plan below. I appreciate those who have offered suggestions and resources. You have been very helpful. I welcome and appreciate any ideas or suggestions.

Please click below for the Revised Action Plan.

My Research Action Plan

My Action Research Plan Draft

SCHOOL VISION: All Saints Episcopal School is a community dedicated to academic excellence in a secure and supportive Christian environment. The school seeks to develop and strengthen in each individual good character, personal and social responsibility, leadership, creative ability, and the motivation to reach one's mental, spiritual and physical potential.

GOAL: The goal of this study is to discover best practices and uses of social media tools in Education. A comparative analysis of schools public and private using these tools and their school policies will be charted as well as a comparative analysis of known scholars on social media in education. The final product will be the development of a school policy and a plan for implementation of these tools.

MY RESEARCH PLAN DRAFT

My Study:

How can schools public and private use social media tools to increase communication and collaboration and maintain a safe environment for all members of its community, students, faculty, administration and parents? The school I work at is beginning to look at these tools and what they can provide for the school community. There are many questions they would like answered before they embark in this arena. One of the purposes of this action research is to develop a school policy regarding the use of social media tools with an emphasis on Facebook, Twitter and cell phone texting and cell phone use. The main concern is the appropriate interaction between the following: teacher/student, teacher/parent, student/student. This question is being asked by many, should social media tools be incorporated in education? In my preliminary research I came across an article online that asked this very question. The author mentioned the findings from a recent report that stated the importance of Internet safety lessons being taught in context. This presents a problem because most schools block social media sites and do not allow use of web 2.0 tools in school. (Callow, June 17, 2010) Another article that I read summarized the findings of a McAffee report on youth online behavior, which stated that kids are more cautious that once thought. (Magid, June 2010) Both of this articles, have reaffirmed my thought that an action research in this area is much needed to seek out truth and understanding concerning the role social media has in education.


Callow, R. (June 17, 2010). Should social networking be permitted in schools? http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2010/06/should-social-networking-be-permitted-in-schools.html .

Magid, L. (June 2010). Study has good news about kids online behavior. Safekids.com http://www.safekids.com/2010/06/26/study-has-good-news-about-kids-online-behavior/ .

Possible sources for my Research

This Tea site has a listing of other sites that might be helpful.

A blog that looks promising.

A Legislative report I found interesting.

Here is an Article on a study of kids online.It reveals the findings of McAffee's study on Youth Online Behavior.

Article asking the question, Should social media tools be used in education?

Schools using Twitter shared with me by Sandra Kendall Lamar colleague.

EdSocialMedia on facebook. A page about social media in education.

Are your kids safe online? Facebook, PTA want to make sure By Doug Gross, CNN

Week 2 Reflection

This week's study was helpful to me in gaining understanding of research methods and necessary components. I found Dr. Johnny Briseno's interview helpful. He noted the importance of qualitative data to action research. He also spoke of how he used peer coaching to help improve problem areas. Teachers communicated with each other to tell of teaching strategies that worked with a particular group or class. They communicated and looked at the qualitative data. I also found Dr. Kirk Lewis' advice to make your action research practical. Keep it relavent. He also emphasized the importance for teachers and researchers to learn how to disaggrgate data.

How Leaders can use Blogs

Leaders can use blogs to share progress of the improvement plan and future goals. They can share their reflections which will link the community or stakeholders with the shared vision of the school.Leaders could use this forum to educate or inform parents of policies or suggestions for internet safety at home. Current events can be reported. These are just a few suggestions. If you have any, please post below under comments.

What I have learned so far about Action Research.

I am grateful for the knowledge and experience the Research class from Lamar University will bring to my learning. I can already gather from the texts, (Examining What we Do To Improve Our Schools 8 Steps From Analysis by Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, and Julie Combs and Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principals as Action Research by Nancy Fichtman Dana) that we have been required to read, how valuable and vital Action Research is to leadership. I guess that I viewed research in the traditional way, as an outsider investigating and reporting a plan for a change. I now understand the difference and recognize the superior benefits when leaders conduct their own research based on reflection of their practices and promotion of a shared vision. Action Research or Inquiry is a necessary tool for the growth and continued growth of a school and a leader. Without it, I believe schools will rapidly fall behind on their mission to provide the best learning environment for their students. Action research is systematic involving the analysis of data and making changes to procedures or policy based on those findings. I like how it states in the Dana text that Inquiry or Action Research promotes growth from the inside out not from the outside in.I plan to use action research as a leader to promote personal growth and aid in the growth of education.