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.

3 comments:

  1. Carrie, your reference to principals "falling into a pit of isolation" is very pertinent. Even in large districts, it is easy for a principal to develop tunnel vision and feel their school and its problems are so unique that no one else can help them. A great benefit to action research, as you point out, is solving the "big problems" as part of a professional learning community working together as co-practitioners, systematically inquiring into relevant research that can be applied to effect change and improve the school.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carrie, I had to smile when I read your reference to page one ;). I read that exact page to my husband and we both agreed- NEVER! I love your blog pictures and your lively comments. I need to make my blog a little more like yours, mine is reading like a research article, ick!

    ReplyDelete