Action Research Week 1

Action Research Defined

According to Dana (2009), “administrator inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry” (p. 2). At the same time, action research is intended to bring about some type of change (Dana, 2009, p. 6). The end result of questioning the process and analyzing data is using the discovered information to make improvements to that particular process. As school leaders, it is important to understand the action research process as an effective tool for improving teaching and learning (Ringler, 2007, p. 27). Moving forward as effective administrators, we should continuously evaluate our vision, our goals, and our learning community. It is important that within our learning community, we model the value of being lifelong learners. Practicing action research ensures that we continuously refine our approach to the learning process. As we “wonder”, we engage others and have useful dialogue about our teaching strategies and student achievement. “By engaging in the process of administrator inquiry with other principals, or even in collaborative inquiry with a group of teachers within your own building, you are forced out of isolation and surround yourself with other professionals conversing about practice in systematic and meaningful ways” (Dana, 2009, p. 12). Active research is a tool that we must use as administrators positively impact ourselves, our faculty, and our students.

How Educational Leaders Use Blogs

A blog is an electronic journal. Unlike a private journal, an electronic blog allows other people access to review reflective thinking. According to Dana, “journaling or blogging can serve as your personal pensieve to capture and store your thoughts and recollections safely so you can share them with colleagues and return to them at various times” (p. 88). Educator leaders might use them to chronicle events as they unfold. Educator leaders might also use blogs to share ideas and allow others to review these ideas and make suggestions for improving the process. Similar to action research, a blog allows ideas to be shared, discussed, reviewed, evaluated, and changed.

Dana, Nancy Fichtman (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Ringler, M. (2007). Action Research: An Effective Instructional Leadership Skill for Future Public School Leaders. Journal of Scholarship and Practice. Volume 4, No. 1. p. 27 - 42.