1. Examining the work: I have decided to make the purpose of my action research proposal to examine the benefits and drawbacks of using an interactive whiteboard to enhance classroom instruction. I want to know what effect on student performance, if any, the use of interactive whiteboards plays. I am currently working on a technology grant proposal to secure funds to purchase interactive whiteboards for my campus. We currently have only one interactive board and I would like some additional research and information to use in my proposal.
2. Analyzing data – I will gather data in a multitude of ways. I plan on designing a survey for teachers. Teachers would be surveyed to assess what they know about SMART boards, and any experience that they have using SMART boards. Along with having a survey for teachers, I will create a survey for students. In this survey they can rate levels of engagement during instruction with the use of SMART boards versus without the use of SMART boards. I will collect research data on the use of SMART boards through journal articles as well as books on technology. I will collect student work samples through the use of SMART boards versus the use of traditional paper pencil techniques.
3. Developing deeper understanding – I will create a focus group to study the use of SMART boards in our school. This group will analyze all of the data that we have collected and make suggestions for the action research plan.
4. Engaging in Self-Reflection – I have self-reflected on what I think best teaching practices are for this action research project. As I am teaching, I notice that when I use technology, students are more engaged, and always get more from the lesson. Even if it is taking a simple worksheet and putting it on the SMART board, kids are enjoying it more and learning more from the use of technology.
5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns – The important question to look at is whether the SMART boards will help students more than traditional class work. An equity issue that we may run into with this program is the limited use of technology for our low socio-economic students. It is all the more important to try and intensify the instruction with these students, so that the gap is not widened.
6. Determining direction – The SMART board committee will be working together to make decisions about the action research plan. This group will analyze all of the data, such as teacher surveys, student surveys, student work samples, and research data that we have collected and make suggestions for the action research plan.
7. Taking action for school improvement –
Goal: Answer the following questions:
Does the use of interactive whiteboards improve student performance on state mandated tests?
What aspects of classroom teaching are changed to include interactive whiteboard use?
What other technology resources are used to improve student performance?
Action Steps Person Responsible Timeline Needed Resources Evaluation
1. Develop questions for action research Logan July 2010 Dana text class
2. Give teachers a survey to assess the knowledge of and experience using SMART boards Logan August 2010 Development of survey survey
3. Ask for volunteers to participate in a committee to evaluate the use of SMART boards Logan August 2010 Letter to teachers explaining committee participation
4. Committee will look for data on SMART boards SMART board committee September 2010 Journal articles, technology research participation
5. Collect students samples of work Classroom teachers September 2010 Teacher will collect data from students using traditional paper/ pencil vs. those using the SMART board. Student scores
6. Give students a survey on SMART boards Logan November 2010 Development of survey survey
7. Meet with committee to discuss the findings of the surveys, research and student samples Committee November 2010 Teacher surveys
Student surveys
Student work samples
Data collected from committee members participation
8. Meet with principal to discuss the findings from the committee on the action research on SMART boards Logan/ Principal December 2010 Teacher surveys
Student surveys
Student work samples
Data collected from committee members
Minutes from committee meetings Decision on SMART boards
8. Sustaining improvement – Professional development will be important in making this program successful within our school. All teachers will need to be trained on how to use the boards, and ongoing staff development will be required to advance teachers in the use of the SMART boards.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
My Action Research Plan
1. Examining the work: I have decided to make the purpose of my action research proposal to examine the benefits and drawbacks of using an interactive whiteboard to enhance classroom instruction. I want to know what effect on student performance, if any, the use of interactive whiteboards plays. I am currently working on a technology grant proposal to secure funds to purchase interactive whiteboards for my campus. We currently have only one interactive board and I would like some additional research and information to use in my proposal.
2. Analyzing data – I will gather data in a multitude of ways. I plan on designing a survey for teachers. Teachers would be surveyed to assess what they know about SMART boards, and any experience that they have using SMART boards. Along with having a survey for teachers, I will create a survey for students. In this survey they can rate levels of engagement during instruction with the use of SMART boards versus without the use of SMART boards. I will collect research data on the use of SMART boards through journal articles as well as books on technology. I will collect student work samples through the use of SMART boards versus the use of traditional paper pencil techniques.
3. Developing deeper understanding – I will create a focus group to study the use of SMART boards in our school. This group will analyze all of the data that we have collected and make suggestions for the action research plan.
4. Engaging in Self-Reflection – I have self-reflected on what I think best teaching practices are for this action research project. As I am teaching, I notice that when I use technology, students are more engaged, and always get more from the lesson. Even if it is taking a simple worksheet and putting it on the SMART board, kids are enjoying it more and learning more from the use of technology.
5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns – The important question to look at is whether the SMART boards will help students more than traditional class work. An equity issue that we may run into with this program is the limited use of technology for our low socio-economic students. It is all the more important to try and intensify the instruction with these students, so that the gap is not widened.
6. Determining direction – The SMART board committee will be working together to make decisions about the action research plan. This group will analyze all of the data, such as teacher surveys, student surveys, student work samples, and research data that we have collected and make suggestions for the action research plan.
7. Taking action for school improvement –
Goal: Answer the following questions:
Does the use of interactive whiteboards improve student performance on state mandated tests?
What aspects of classroom teaching are changed to include interactive whiteboard use?
What other technology resources are used to improve student performance?
Action Steps- Person Responsible- Timeline- Needed Resources- Evaluation
1. Develop questions for action research- Logan -July 2010 -Dana text class
2. Give teachers a survey to assess the knowledge of and experience using SMART boards- Logan -August 2010- Development of survey survey
3. Ask for volunteers to participate in a committee to evaluate the use of SMART boards- Logan- August 2010- Letter to teachers explaining committee participation
4. Committee will look for data on SMART boards- SMART board committee -September 2010- Journal articles, technology research participation
5. Collect students samples of work- Classroom teachers- September 2010- Teacher will collect data from students using traditional paper/ pencil vs. those using the SMART board.- Student scores
6. Give students a survey on SMART boards -Logan -October 2010 -Development of survey survey
7. Meet with committee to discuss the findings of the surveys, research and student samples -Committee -November 2010 Teacher surveys , Student surveys, Student work samples, Data collected from committee members- participation
8. Meet with principal to discuss the findings from the committee on the action research on SMART boards- Logan/ Principal- December 2010- Teacher surveys
Student surveys
Student work samples
Data collected from committee members
Minutes from committee meetings Decision on SMART boards
8. Sustaining improvement – Professional development will be important in making this program successful within our school. All teachers will need to be trained on how to use the boards, and ongoing staff development will be required to advance teachers in the use of the SMART boards.
2. Analyzing data – I will gather data in a multitude of ways. I plan on designing a survey for teachers. Teachers would be surveyed to assess what they know about SMART boards, and any experience that they have using SMART boards. Along with having a survey for teachers, I will create a survey for students. In this survey they can rate levels of engagement during instruction with the use of SMART boards versus without the use of SMART boards. I will collect research data on the use of SMART boards through journal articles as well as books on technology. I will collect student work samples through the use of SMART boards versus the use of traditional paper pencil techniques.
3. Developing deeper understanding – I will create a focus group to study the use of SMART boards in our school. This group will analyze all of the data that we have collected and make suggestions for the action research plan.
4. Engaging in Self-Reflection – I have self-reflected on what I think best teaching practices are for this action research project. As I am teaching, I notice that when I use technology, students are more engaged, and always get more from the lesson. Even if it is taking a simple worksheet and putting it on the SMART board, kids are enjoying it more and learning more from the use of technology.
5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns – The important question to look at is whether the SMART boards will help students more than traditional class work. An equity issue that we may run into with this program is the limited use of technology for our low socio-economic students. It is all the more important to try and intensify the instruction with these students, so that the gap is not widened.
6. Determining direction – The SMART board committee will be working together to make decisions about the action research plan. This group will analyze all of the data, such as teacher surveys, student surveys, student work samples, and research data that we have collected and make suggestions for the action research plan.
7. Taking action for school improvement –
Goal: Answer the following questions:
Does the use of interactive whiteboards improve student performance on state mandated tests?
What aspects of classroom teaching are changed to include interactive whiteboard use?
What other technology resources are used to improve student performance?
Action Steps- Person Responsible- Timeline- Needed Resources- Evaluation
1. Develop questions for action research- Logan -July 2010 -Dana text class
2. Give teachers a survey to assess the knowledge of and experience using SMART boards- Logan -August 2010- Development of survey survey
3. Ask for volunteers to participate in a committee to evaluate the use of SMART boards- Logan- August 2010- Letter to teachers explaining committee participation
4. Committee will look for data on SMART boards- SMART board committee -September 2010- Journal articles, technology research participation
5. Collect students samples of work- Classroom teachers- September 2010- Teacher will collect data from students using traditional paper/ pencil vs. those using the SMART board.- Student scores
6. Give students a survey on SMART boards -Logan -October 2010 -Development of survey survey
7. Meet with committee to discuss the findings of the surveys, research and student samples -Committee -November 2010 Teacher surveys , Student surveys, Student work samples, Data collected from committee members- participation
8. Meet with principal to discuss the findings from the committee on the action research on SMART boards- Logan/ Principal- December 2010- Teacher surveys
Student surveys
Student work samples
Data collected from committee members
Minutes from committee meetings Decision on SMART boards
8. Sustaining improvement – Professional development will be important in making this program successful within our school. All teachers will need to be trained on how to use the boards, and ongoing staff development will be required to advance teachers in the use of the SMART boards.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Reflections from week 2
In week 2, I learned a great deal about all of the different types of action research. From the Dana text, I learned that there are nine different but related areas that administrators can reflect on when looking at action research.
1. Staff development
2. Curriculum development
3. Individual teacher(s)
4. Individual student(s)
5. School culture/ community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School performance
9. Social justice
Action research decisions: When I was discussing and deciding on an action research topic for my campus, I was surprised at the area my principal pushed me in. I thought she would select my discipline plan, but she chose technology instead, saying that it was the one area that she saw was lacking during walkthroughs.
1. Staff development
2. Curriculum development
3. Individual teacher(s)
4. Individual student(s)
5. School culture/ community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School performance
9. Social justice
Action research decisions: When I was discussing and deciding on an action research topic for my campus, I was surprised at the area my principal pushed me in. I thought she would select my discipline plan, but she chose technology instead, saying that it was the one area that she saw was lacking during walkthroughs.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
How can educational leaders use blogs?
Blogging is a great way for educational leaders to disseminate information to their staff. It is also a great tool for posting discussion questions. Teachers have the opportunity to make their voice heard. This would be beneficial especially for teachers that are hesitant to share their thinking or ideas in large faculty meetings. Blogging allows for teachers to have the convenience to respond to questions in the comfort of their own home at any time of day.
What have I learned about action research?
Action research is a way that good leaders seek to accelerate school improvement. Inquiring administrators reflect on changes that need to be made on their campus. They collect data and analyze that data to make appropriate changes. Literature that is relevant to the occurring change is researched, so that professionals can try to gain new understandings and solutions to their problems. Through this process, administrators can gain a better understanding of their leadership roles and participate with school stakeholders to collaboratively contribute to school success. Administrative inquiry is a very powerful tool for success.
Action research differs from traditional research. In traditional research, research is conducted by outside researchers that are located outside of the school community, such as at universities that are dealing with theory. In traditional research questions are identified by outside researchers, and often principals are apprehensive about identifying "problems" with their school, fearing repercussions by the superintendent. Action research is vastly different. Research is conducted by the school leaders withing the school community, and questions are posed and solutions are sought by the school leaders. In a district that promotes action research, superintendents encourage principals to reflect and look for ways that they can improve their schools.
Action research differs from traditional research. In traditional research, research is conducted by outside researchers that are located outside of the school community, such as at universities that are dealing with theory. In traditional research questions are identified by outside researchers, and often principals are apprehensive about identifying "problems" with their school, fearing repercussions by the superintendent. Action research is vastly different. Research is conducted by the school leaders withing the school community, and questions are posed and solutions are sought by the school leaders. In a district that promotes action research, superintendents encourage principals to reflect and look for ways that they can improve their schools.
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