Action Research

• description of what you have learned about action research:

Action research is a way for principals to reflect on their own job performance and the performance of the functioning of their school as a whole.  Through action research, principals take the time to actually think about what problems and concerns are plaguing their campus, think about ways to change their campus for the better, search for data and resources that will help them figure out how to implement the changes, and study literature relevant to the transformational idea.  Instead of just posing as a manager at their school, it empowers principals to bring about positive and innovative change to promote the success of all.  This is an effective way for the principal to lead their campus in a transformational revelation, where every stakeholder learns the importance of life-long learning and research to stimulate personal and campus growth.  It helps administrators be the best that they can be at their job by reflecting on the true problems that they are having at their school and researching ways that could help bring about positive effects from techniques that have already been tried and tested in real-life situations. It also keeps principals focused on what changes are possible and probable, as well as, keeping them focused on leading the teaching and learning on the campus, instead of just posing as a manager who “puts out fires” all day.  It is also a way for them to seek for positive change on campus and evaluate their own and other’s performances.  Inquiry research involves the administrator posing valid questions and ideas, collecting and analyzing data involving those ideas, reading literature revolved around the ideas, and finally making the changes necessary to bring the ideas to life.  Once this all happens, they then share the results with others.  It also gives administrators a way to collaborate with other leaders in the hopes of motivating and helping each other make effective learning possible for every student. It is a way to constantly grow, change and evolve within your leadership position and model a sense of importance in growth and transformation in an ever-evolving, global society. 

• Next write an analysis of how educational leaders might use blogs:

I think that educational leaders might use blogs in many different ways.  They could, first of all, use them to perform action research, by collaborating with other leaders and bouncing ideas and recommendations off of one another.  They could also use a blog as a, somewhat, social network, where they can commune with other leaders about the daily grind and situations that happen to them on their campus.  Principals could also use blogs as a way to seek advice and counsel from fellow leaders. 

Angel Massey

EDLD 5301

angelsadvice@rocketmail.com