Action Research Notes

This week I got a lot feedback regarding the project I am researching. After meeting with my advisor, he suggested that I add certain details to my plan. I needed to consider who my research would impact and how I would implement the research effectively.

What I'm finding is that action research can become very lugubrious. I really am having a difficult time imagining that an administrator would realistically be able to use action research in their daily work considering how demanding the process is. Perhaps that is the view as a student learning the process. I hope that I can see the process as more useful as I move forward.

Action Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal:Improve the use of technology in Alternate Curriculum
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Create Survey	Christopher Brannen	12/10/2012	Survey Questions	Survey
Review IEP’s	Christopher Brannen/ AC Teachers	12/17/2012	Student IEP’s	Review IEP’s for potential technology enhancement
Analyze Data	Christopher Brannen/AC Department Teachers	01/07/2012	Data Collected	Teacher review of data
Conclusions	Christopher Brannen	01/14/2012	Teacher reviews, completed data	Review gathered information
Resolutions	Christopher Brannen	01/21/2012	Professional development ideas	Participant survey

Week 2 Reflections (Action Research)

It seems that no matter how much you think you know about a subject, there is always more to learn. After week 1, I was beginning to wonder why this class is five weeks long! Now I see that action research really is a different animal than your normal academic research.

Doing action research is like being a Doctor where as doing academic research is like being a mechanic. While I research in my school it has to continue running. I can not shut down the engine, make my repairs, and return the car to its owner. I have ownership of everything I research and the education process cannot stop.

I also discovered that action research is not just about other people, but it is also about researching my own performance and finding ways to improve. I read that in week 1, but to be honest it did not really set in until this week. When I was reading the text for this week, I was struck by the section where it talked about reviewing your own professional performance. The research questions in that section were very poignant  It made the point to me that so much of education is all about. Namely, this:

The best teachers are lifelong learners.