Reflections on Action Research: Week One

I have learned that administrator inquiry is essential to the professional growth of principals.  In addition, it is an effective way for principals to make a significant impact upon the schools in which they work.  It is a deliberate process by which principals research problems that are relevant to the needs of their campus, collect data, use recommendations from the data to make changes, and monitor/evaluate the effectiveness of those changes.  Many principals find that they have little or no time to engage in inquiry.  However the benefits involved in engaging oneself in action research are the ability to to collaborate and discuss one's practice in a logical meaningful way, being a role model to the teachers on your campus, and allowing best practices to flourish.  Principals should commit time to engaging in action research that is relevant to what they have to do.

  I also learned that reflection in action research is critical because it allows the principals to study their practice in a systematic and meaningful way.  The principal reflects in the process of action research and after initiatives have been implemented in order to adjust and make changes accordingly.  I am interested in using action research in our Reading/Language Arts professional learning community this year.  We need to meet AYP and could study data to find instructional gaps and make changes that will improve instruction.

Blogging is an effective tool for "capturing thinking." (Dana, 2009, p.87)  Web blogs allow principals opportunities to share their action research projects with other principals and give and receive feedback.  Also blogging provides a myriad of opportunities for administrators to collaborate/participate in a variety of projects and activities.  It is an excellent forum for sharing/developing ideas which ultimately promotes professional growth.