Action Research:Building Ideas to Lead the Future

2012-02-09T10:37:00.001-08:00

Action Research Project Overview

Enhancing Instruction with Technology

1. GOALS AND OBJECTIVE- My district is looking at moving one to one with IPads at themiddle school level. Teachers, administrators, and school board need proof thatwith an increase in available technology, there will be an increase ininstructional rigor. This is an issue I have discussed with many stakeholders(including students). I plan touse available testing data, future student benchmark scores, STAR rating, andteacher professional development data to analyze the impact technology hascurrently made. On the sample campus there is currently a 2-1 ratio withlaptops. They were integrated into the classroom in 2009. There is not acurrent report that compares student progress since the technology has beenadded.

Through this project I hope to raiseteacher awareness of what a high level lessons look like in a 21^stcentury classroom. I also hope to increase student engagement through offeringauthentic connections to their world through modern technology in theclassroom.

2. ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THEOBJECTIVE: I plan to examine a variety of text and articles that address thelevels of technology in regards to

instruction in the classroom. I would also like to interview avariety of administrators and teachers about what scale I should use as areference point for engagement and rigor. At this point, I plan to use the Abilene Christian University H.E.A.T. Model,which allows teachers to rate their lessons based on Higher Order Thinking, AuthenticEngagement, Authentic Connections, and Technology use. This is an instrumental tool for mewhen I am designing my own lessons and wonder how other teachers would benefitfrom this tool. I will also compile testing data from 2007 (2 years before 2-1laptop integration) to present day. I will examine any trends and state them inmy report.

3. RESOURCES AND TOOLS NEEDED FOR GATHERINGDATA: Initially I plan to look at data that we currently house on campusfrom the STAR chart, test scores vs. previous technology integration, teacherprofessional development, and teacher/ administrative feedback. From there Iplan to organize the data and develop a teacher and student survey in regardsto the level of instruction used in the classroom and the learning outcomesaccording to the data. After I have received the feedback from this survey, Iwill identify the areas that could use support and address this withadministration and staff. I think that my initial data will show a lack of highlevel lessons associated with the introduction of the technology, though I feelthrough this project we will be able to address this and increase the rigor ofinstruction.

4. Draftline/ Timeline for Completion or Implementation of Activities:

I plan to begin gathering campus dataimmediately. By the end of February, I plan to have my first teacher/ studentsurvey ready to send out. I willgive my sample group 1 week to complete the survey. At that time I will begin to draft my plan for theirprofessional development in the areas teachers feel they are lacking. Thisproject should be in full swing by the end of March. I will also seek out otheroutlets for teachers to help them build a good definition of classroom rigor ina 21^st century classroom.

5. PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONRESEARCH: This plan will be implemented by me and overseen by both of myadministrators. I will share theses objectives with the staff at a facultymeeting before I send out the survey. This action research plan will serve parents,students, teachers, and administrators for

Decatur ISD.

6.PROCESSFOR MONITORING THE ACHIEVMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

I will use surveys,data collection and continued interactionwith sample participants. Available test scores that are documented throughAware, can be used to monitor student success as we look closer at instructionrelated to technology as well as overall student performance. I will alsofeature information that is gathered from the 6^th grade class ofstudents who is engaging in a pilot for our school. The entire class was givenIPads. I will collaborate with that teacher to conduct research on the H.E.A.Tlevel of the student lessons in that particular class.

7. ASSESMENT INSTRUMENT TOEVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS OF STUDY:

I will use Survey Monkey to resurvey the staff before duringand after the project. The data that I gather from the study will be sharedwith the school board on the effectiveness of integrating technology intoclassroom instruction. This will allow us as a school to seek additional skillsand knowledge that will improve this area of 21^st century learning.

2012-02-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

Good evening all! This has been quite a week. I have met with my principal many times the past couple weeks and was sure that I was going to do my action research in the area of Staff morale. This has been a major problem on my campus and felt it would be beneficial to everyone to address it. Though after my meeting with administration today, I decided it was not in my best interest to address this issue, due to some concerns that my principal wanted to address on his own. So I had to quickly refer back to the other possible questions that I wrote. I have decided to take a look at enhancing instruction through the use of available technology. This will be a perfect fit for me, because I am currently working on a proposal to go one to one on IPads, that will be presented to the board in late March. I am excited to use this opportunity to really look at how we can improve classroom instruction through encouraging authentic technology integration. Have a great night!

Blogging in our schools

2012-01-24T19:29:00.000-08:00

Hello again fellow action researchers! I wanted to take a minute and discuss the power of blogging in a professional learning community. Blogging is useful in a variety of settings within our schools. It can be used as a forum for teachers and administrators to collaborate on ideas, policies, book studies, or just a creative outlet for those who want to get their thoughts out there! I encourage all school leaders to use this tool not only with their staff but encourage their students to partake in safe blogging activities that will allow them to gain perspective outside the four walls of the classroom.

Action Research: Building Ideas to Lead the Future

2012-01-24T19:09:00.000-08:00

This blog was created to encourage educators to collaborateon essential issues in our schools and communities through actionresearch. Action research is aprocess that allows school leaders to reflect and act on areas affecting theirschools. Unlike traditional research where administrators would sole school issues by implementing outside research and ideas as opposed to searching out the answer themselves through data collection, inquiry, and problem solving strategies. Through this blog I hopeto implement action strategies and evaluate their effectiveness throughfollower input and suggestions. Using the processes involved in effective action research we can leadthe change our students, parents, and staff need. The questions that will be posed and addressed through this blogwill focus on providing insight into campus issues in an effort to make change andimprove the school's overall environment.

I hope to address a variety of issues as I document my transition into a leadership position. My first project will address staff morale on my current campus. I plan to gather appropriate data and search out a variety of approaches and options that may improve this. I look forward to including my followers in this adventure. Please feel free to share openly your experiences, suggestions,and opinions on the issues that are discussed in this blog.