Action Research

Action research is a systematic and intentional study of one's own practices. You begin with a "wondering" or problem. Next, you collect data and read relevant literature. This will allow you to gain new insights to the problem. You can make changes based on new understanding and share the results with others. This process is reminds me of try, try again. As a leader, you implement a strategy to find the solution for the problem or question. If that first strategy does not work, then you try again using the new data and research you have done to guide the use of a new strategy.

As a teacher, I have used this process unknowingly. I constantly watched my students while presenting a lesson. I watched for the "lightbulb" moment. If it came, I knew I had succeeded in passing knowledge to my students. If I did not see the lightbulb, I would try a new strategy. This is a very simplistic way of looking at action research. I did not use a systematic approach at the time. Now I would keep data (formal or informal) about what strategies work to relay the knowledge to students as well as how many times did I need to present the information. I would also take note of educational research concerning presentation of material and best practices for the classroom. I would use this new information to improve my teaching practices.

As a leader in the building (teacher leader, principal, or technology leader) I would focus on the same process. The "problems" might seem bigger and more complicated, but the process would be the same. I would use the current data available to implement a strategy. I would begin collecting new data, researching literature, and discussing with peers (reflection) the information/results. The new information would be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the first strategy and guide improvements.


Ways to Use a Blog:
One way for the principal to reach out to other professionals or community members would be through a blog. Principals could choose to blog about thoughts during the day and share this with a closed group of colleagues. Another form of the blog could be a more formal address to community stakeholders that also requests comments. Teachers can use the blog to reach students, parents, other community members, and colleagues. It can be used to showcase student work or teacher/school accomplishments. Schools can benefit from the more informal setting of a blog to reach a wider number of people. Professionals can use the blog to reach other colleagues around the world. This can be a place for reflection, questioning, and encouragment. Leaders can share projects and research while gaining feedback from others. The possibilities are only limited by the person writing the blog.