I have really learned a lot from this course, starting from learning what the difference was between action research and traditional research. There are so many benefits in learning this process and learning how to do it well. I really liked how the research is not just one person doing all the work, it is ideally a group of people working together with steps and a goal interacting, reflecting and coming up with a solution along the way using data.
When I was trying to decide on a topic, just having to look at all the issues in a school was beneficial and being able to talk to my site supervisor about ranking them by importance. I feel that too many times we brush things under the carpet, so to speak, instead of handling them.
It starting to create my plan, I learned that your question or topic sentence needs to be very focused and then you must have an action plan. In this action plan there needs to be steps, timelines, resources needed, people responsible, and assessment tools.
I also learned a lot about the resources that are used and how important it is to gather different types of resources that are all focused on you one topic. The resources need to contain data.
After my plan was developed and I was feeling pretty good about things, then we had to look at what challenges we may face. This was good to look at these things before you start the process instead of having to face them as a surprise and unprepared.
The last thing that I learned, that was the most challenging was the blogging . I have blogged before, but being able to connect to other blogs and locating blogs that relate to yours and commenting was a little overwhelming. I hope to learn more about this and become more comfortable.
Overall, I have really enjoyed this class and I am looking forward to moving on in my action research and finding results of my plan.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Resources
I am really getting excited about my research. I have started to locate materials and resources about intervention. If you anyone has any suggestions or know of any schools that already have a great intervention program in place, please let me know.
Thanks
Thanks
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Intervention Action Plans
Action Steps-
1.-Track students from year to year. Past data should always be known at the beginning of year. Students who have not met standards should be flagged at end of the year and teachers will work collaborative to share information and data.
2.-Reviewing all new students to the school. This will be done by checking their records and/or calling their previous school to gather information and data.
3.-Research intervention techniques depending on specific needs and subject areas. This research will come from other schools and other studies. Information will be shared and discussed and intervention assistance team meetings to determine best methods for students.
4.-Getting teachers training, resources, and personnel to help with recognition of need for early intervention and the actual administration.
5.-Progress monitoring every student through the intervention process to guarantee that every student’s needs are met.
Person(s) Responsible-
-teachers, administrators, interventionist, faculty, clerk,
Time Line-
1. 2010-2011 school year
2. 2010-2011 school year
3.currently till action plan complete
4.2010-2011 school year
5. 2010-2011 school year
Needed Resources-
1. tracking sheets, data from test
2.no resources
3.research, books, internet, educators
4.resources, materials, manipulative
5. progress monitoring sheets
Evaluation-
1. Checking tracking records throughout the year and a final check at the end of the year to guarantee all information is entered.
2. Administration checking records and checking with teachers to insure that information is getting to the school in a timely manner.
3.monitoring progress, reflection on findings
4. Observing classrooms during intervention time and checking to see if students are receiving correct intervention.
5. Checking progress monitoring consistently and frequently making sure charts and data are being met. The monitoring will continue when students are on level to monitor continuing growth.
1.-Track students from year to year. Past data should always be known at the beginning of year. Students who have not met standards should be flagged at end of the year and teachers will work collaborative to share information and data.
2.-Reviewing all new students to the school. This will be done by checking their records and/or calling their previous school to gather information and data.
3.-Research intervention techniques depending on specific needs and subject areas. This research will come from other schools and other studies. Information will be shared and discussed and intervention assistance team meetings to determine best methods for students.
4.-Getting teachers training, resources, and personnel to help with recognition of need for early intervention and the actual administration.
5.-Progress monitoring every student through the intervention process to guarantee that every student’s needs are met.
Person(s) Responsible-
-teachers, administrators, interventionist, faculty, clerk,
Time Line-
1. 2010-2011 school year
2. 2010-2011 school year
3.currently till action plan complete
4.2010-2011 school year
5. 2010-2011 school year
Needed Resources-
1. tracking sheets, data from test
2.no resources
3.research, books, internet, educators
4.resources, materials, manipulative
5. progress monitoring sheets
Evaluation-
1. Checking tracking records throughout the year and a final check at the end of the year to guarantee all information is entered.
2. Administration checking records and checking with teachers to insure that information is getting to the school in a timely manner.
3.monitoring progress, reflection on findings
4. Observing classrooms during intervention time and checking to see if students are receiving correct intervention.
5. Checking progress monitoring consistently and frequently making sure charts and data are being met. The monitoring will continue when students are on level to monitor continuing growth.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Week 2 reflection
I really enjoyed watching the videos of three educators speaking on action research. They gave great advice and helped me understand the importance of research. Some advice that I remember is to make the research practical, it will help it be more interesting, you will be more focused, and it will benefit the students more. Dr. Chargois said that "better teachers never stop learning." Leaders cannot just teach people to teach anymore, they must teach them to research to break apart data. And then Dr. Briseno gave good advice regarding do not ever shove issues under te carpet so to speak, take care of them up front, be active in researching ways to solve issues.
I also enjoyed reading the discussion board this week. I actually changed one of my research topics after reading a students post and becoming aware of an issue that I had forgotten but always had. Great job guys!
I also enjoyed reading the discussion board this week. I actually changed one of my research topics after reading a students post and becoming aware of an issue that I had forgotten but always had. Great job guys!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Educational Leaders and Blogs
Educational leaders can use blogs for a number of ways. On my campus every leader and teacher has two blogs. One blog is for the communication between the school faculty and staff and the other blog is for the communication between the school and community (including parents). These are two very important ways that educational leaders can use blogs by communicating with their own faculty and staff and also by communicating with the school community.
Action Research- What I have learned!
Until this week, action research meant the same to me as a completing a research paper. I have learned so many things on this subject and I really see the benefit in using this in education and how important it is for the leaders to have a good understanding on this.
In my own words, action research means using the data and information from your school or classroom to gather a specific issue or problem that you feel needs to be "fixed" or a solution be found. After you have this issue you gather with other people that are also having this issue and everyone works together to research and and find possible solutions.
Throughout this journey, reflections are made often but the goal is always in sight and the research is always on topic.
I am so excited to begin using this method and I really feel that our school will benefit from this. I feel that too many times schools are told what inservices to complete and which workshops will best work for their schools from people that are outside of their system. Action research lets the people that are in the everyday happenings of the school get to choose their path.
In my own words, action research means using the data and information from your school or classroom to gather a specific issue or problem that you feel needs to be "fixed" or a solution be found. After you have this issue you gather with other people that are also having this issue and everyone works together to research and and find possible solutions.
Throughout this journey, reflections are made often but the goal is always in sight and the research is always on topic.
I am so excited to begin using this method and I really feel that our school will benefit from this. I feel that too many times schools are told what inservices to complete and which workshops will best work for their schools from people that are outside of their system. Action research lets the people that are in the everyday happenings of the school get to choose their path.