Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Minor change to my research...
After meeting with my site mentors, we discoverd that my plan was too broad, and that another project I wanted to tackle on my campus would help make my research plan more specific. That being said I am overjoyed to be killing two birds with one stone. I just hope I get my principal's approval to do what I need to do (princiapl is not my site mentor).
Click here to see my updated plan :-)
Click here to see my updated plan :-)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Listening to the 3 guest speaker's interviews confirmed my previous beliefs about action research:
1. The research must lead to a practical solution for a campus, working in theory is not OK.
2. Overall student success if the main goal of ANY action research project.
3. Teachers should never stop learning. Whether they are privy to the bemefit of action research or not, they should be on a constant quest to improve their teaching.
These are my original, yet brief, thoughts
~Carrie
1. The research must lead to a practical solution for a campus, working in theory is not OK.
2. Overall student success if the main goal of ANY action research project.
3. Teachers should never stop learning. Whether they are privy to the bemefit of action research or not, they should be on a constant quest to improve their teaching.
These are my original, yet brief, thoughts
~Carrie
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Question: What have I learned about action research and how do I plan to use it?
I have learned that action research is a professional behavior exhibited by actively involved and concerned principals. Administrator inquiry becomes a powerful vehicle for learning and school improvement (Dana, 2009).
If I were to become an administrator (for reasons I will not become an administrator please see page 1 in Dana, 2009 beginning with For example in sentence 3 and continue reading to the bottom of that paragraph, thank you), I would use action research to solve big problems on my campus. I would be the queen of data collection via anonymous surveys. I would hone in on the issues that are plaguing my school and use my resources wisely to fix them. I would rely on the experts I have hired into ancillary leadership roles and seek their professional opinions and advice. I would be a principal in charge of my own learning (Dana, 2009). I would be tuned-in to the health of my school much like I’m tuned-in my own personal health. (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010). In the way that I would require my teachers to work together in professional learning communities, I too would seek a principal professional learning community so as to not fall into a pit of isolation, as a principal it’s easy to do (Dana, 2009). I would strive to be proactive to problems and not reactive. I would multitask to the best of my ability, as any good administrator would do.
I would…NOT be above learning how to become a better principal each and everyday!
These are my original thoughts (and citations),
~Carrie
Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin; AASA.
Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.
If I were to become an administrator (for reasons I will not become an administrator please see page 1 in Dana, 2009 beginning with For example in sentence 3 and continue reading to the bottom of that paragraph, thank you), I would use action research to solve big problems on my campus. I would be the queen of data collection via anonymous surveys. I would hone in on the issues that are plaguing my school and use my resources wisely to fix them. I would rely on the experts I have hired into ancillary leadership roles and seek their professional opinions and advice. I would be a principal in charge of my own learning (Dana, 2009). I would be tuned-in to the health of my school much like I’m tuned-in my own personal health. (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010). In the way that I would require my teachers to work together in professional learning communities, I too would seek a principal professional learning community so as to not fall into a pit of isolation, as a principal it’s easy to do (Dana, 2009). I would strive to be proactive to problems and not reactive. I would multitask to the best of my ability, as any good administrator would do.
I would…NOT be above learning how to become a better principal each and everyday!
These are my original thoughts (and citations),
~Carrie
Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin; AASA.
Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.
Question: How could a school leader use blogs?
Blog: A web-based publication similar to a diary or log of thoughts, questions, or observations.Blogging is a Web 2.0 tool that has many uses in an environment of learning. A principal, who is supposed to be the instructional leader on their campus, could set a Web 2.0 example buy using blogs to document their daily/weekly thoughts, questions, or observations.
By doing so they accomplish 3 things:
1. Setting a powerful example for the teachers and students of the school. Walking the walk, talking the talk, and "blogging the blog" are ways that principals could earn credibility within their school.
2. Showing the teachers and students of the school that utilizing Web 2.0 tools is do-able, even for a principal. Empowering teachers and students to use these innovative tools (within proper guidelines and parameters) will cause increased student participation and achievement, something EVERY principal wants for their students!
3. Communicating to the masses, using a widely accessible tool such as a blog, shows the parents, teachers, students, and staff that they are “only human.” Many times a principal earns a reputation as a closed off entity within the school. The simple act of sharing their thinking (successes and failures) shows they are approachable and deserving of respect.
These are my authentic thoughts on why/how principals can use blogs.
~Carrie
If you would like to read more information on school administers’ and why they should blog, please read this article by Dr. Scott McLeod, Director of CASTLE.
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