Action Research Course Reflection

The purpose of this course was to help me understand what action research is and to prepare me to be an effective action researcher. Before taking this course, I have had some experience and prior knowledge of scientific research methods. I quickly found out that in many ways action research and scientific research are the same, but in a few ways they are different. This course has given me a much wider understanding of how to perform effective action research.

The focus of week 1 was to define what action research is and to explain its importance. Nancy Fitchman Dana defines administrator inquiry as “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 (Dana, 2009, p.2).” I feel that this is a great definition to start with. The process of action research is systematic in that it is a continuous process that must be adapted to changes in the organization. Plainly, action research is a series of steps to follow in order to create change that is directed toward improvement within an organization. I liked how action research was equated to a doctor visit by a sick patient (Harris et al., 2009, p. 5-7). I also compared action research to the scientific method, of which I am most familiar with.

Week 2 discussed how to select a topic for action research. In the video lecture, Dr. Elvis Arterbury and Dr. Steve Jenkins mentioned the two components to consider when selecting an appropriate topic for action research. The two components include the purpose and the significance of the study. The purpose answers the question of what will you do, while the significance answers the question of why the study needs to be done (Jenkins and Harris, 2011). I feel that the significance is the most crucial factor between the two. The purpose is typically self-evident, but the significance determines whether the study is appropriate or not. The significance takes a detailed look at the current state of the organization and identifies areas of improvement. From this assessment we must decide exactly what we expect to address through the action research process. The significance gives the study value.

An in-depth look at the steps of action research was discussed during week 3. This week I wrote a draft of my action research plan. The assignment for the week began by writing down my research question and the rationale behind the need for the research.  My research question is “what writing techniques that are taught in the ELA classroom can be used in the science classroom to improve the student’s effectiveness of understanding key concepts?” Using the Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template found in the textbook (Harris et al., 2009, p. 85), I was able to create an action research plan to address my research question. The plan gives a comprehensive and detailed look at what will happen during the research process. This is a very important step, because it allows the researcher to really look into what the study entails and it can expose possible weaknesses and issues.

During week 4 we reflected on the action research plan that we drafted during week 3. The discussion prompt for that week asked us to identify problems that we may run into while performing our action research and asked us how we may address these problems. This was a very helpful assignment, because our fellow students were able to read our issues on the discussion board and give advice on how to solve the issues. I received some good feedback from my blog as well. We posted our draft action research plan on our personal blog and waited for critique/ advice from our classmates. From the comments we were able to make changes to our plans that make the plan stronger. This step gave valuable and new ideas that may not have been realized any other way. Through the blog and the discussion board we were able to revise our plan to present to our site supervisor for final approval.

Overall, I found this course to be extremely helpful and informative. I learned a great deal about what action research is and how to use it successfully to improve my campus. Action research is also a great tool for improving me as a leader as well. I am excitedly looking forward to completing my action research plan and using the process in the future. I still have a lot to learn and experience before I am comfortable with the system, but I know that will come with time. I have already identified so many aspects of my current position as a department chair that can benefit from doing action research. I have already made plans for some of those so I can gai9n the practice that I need.

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2009). Examining What we do to Improve our Schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education

Arterbury, E., & Jenkins, S. (2011). Research for Teachers [Video Lecture]. Lamar university

Revised Action Research Plan

Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation

The ultimate goal of a school is to provide all students with a safe and effective environment to learn. The state mandates the information that every student should know by the time that they graduate and they offer many other courses with suggested curriculum. Our task as teachers and administrators is to figure out the best way to accomplish this. This fact is the reason that I have chosen my specific action research topic. The goal of my action research project is to improve instruction in the science classroom and to increase the efficiency of teaching the science curriculum through writing techniques.

Activities designed to achieve the objective

A committee will be formed to discuss writing techniques that can be used in the science classroom. The committee will determine the best writing techniques that will be most successful in the science classroom. The techniques will be tested in science classrooms at all three levels (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) for success. The committee will meet periodically throughout and after the testing period to discuss modifications that may be needed.

Resources and research tools needed for data gathering

The only resources that I will need are the English- Language Arts (ELA) department chair and science teachers. The research will come from the experience and knowledge already possessed by the ELA department chair that will be included in the committee. The wealth of knowledge possessed by the teachers on the committee will offer a plethora of techniques to consider implementing in the classroom. As the science coach, I have access to student scores on assessments from all levels, but I will have to rely on teachers to acquire class grades.

Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities

The committee will be selected the first week of January 2012 and will meet together for the first time the second week of January. Writing techniques will begin being used the first week of February 2012. Each month the committee will meet to discuss modifications. The committee will meet for the final time in May to analyze the effectiveness of the alignment.

Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan

The biology, chemistry, and physics teachers in the science department are responsible for implementing the action research plan. These are the teachers that will be using these techniques in the future and they are the ones that know their student’s needs the best. Each teacher will also determine the specific writing technique that they will use relative to their style of teaching and the dynamics of each individual class.

Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives

Writing samples will be administered to all students in tested classes and will be graded as part of their class grade. Writing samples from students in each class will be selected at random. The samples will be analyzed for effectiveness of writing by randomly selecting writing samples which will be used as an evaluation tool to guide the research process. The student samples will be compared to course grades, common assessment scores, curriculum based assessment scores, and state assessment scores. Correlation will be evaluated and possible causation will be assessed to determine the effectiveness of the action research study.

Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study

The final committee meeting will discuss the success of the action plan. Effective writing techniques will be identified for use in future science classes and a collection of successful techniques will be created. This collection will serve as a reference for the science department for coming years. The effectiveness of writing in the science classroom will continue to be monitored in future years and ELA teachers will be utilized as further reference when needed.

Action Research Plan

The ultimate goal of a school is to provide all students with a safe and effective environment to learn. The state mandates the information that every student should know by the time that they graduate and they offer many other courses with suggested curriculum. Our task as teachers and administrators is to figure out the best way to accomplish this. This fact is the reason that I have chosen my specific action research topic. The goal of my action research project is to improve instruction in the science classroom and to increase the efficiency of teaching the science curriculum through writing techniques.

A committee will be formed to discuss writing techniques that can be used in the science classroom. The committee will determine the best writing techniques that will be most successful in the science classroom. The techniques will be tested in science classrooms at all three levels (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) for success. The committee will meet periodically throughout and after the testing period to discuss modifications that may be needed.

The only resources that I will need are the English- Language Arts (ELA) teachers and science teachers. The research will come from the experience and knowledge already possessed by the ELA teachers that will be included in the committee. The wealth of knowledge possessed by the teachers on the committee will offer a plethora of techniques to consider implementing in the classroom. As the science coach, I have access to student scores on assessments from all levels, but I will have to rely on teachers to acquire class grades.

The committee will be selected the first week of January 2012 and will meet together for the first time the second week of January. Writing techniques will begin being used the first week of February 2012. Each month the committee will meet to discuss modifications. The committee will meet for the final time in May to analyze the effectiveness of the alignment.

The biology, chemistry, and physics teachers in the science department are responsible for implementing the action research plan. These are the teachers that will be using these techniques in the future and they are the ones that know their student’s needs the best. Each teacher will also determine the specific writing technique that they will use relative to their style of teaching and the dynamics of each individual class.

Writing samples will be administered to all students in tested classes and will be graded as part of their class grade. Writing samples from students in each class will be selected at random. The samples will be analyzed for effectiveness of writing by randomly selecting writing samples which will be used as an evaluation tool to guide the research process. The student samples will be compared to course grades, common assessment scores, curriculum based assessment scores, and state assessment scores. Correlation will be evaluated and possible causation will be assessed to determine the effectiveness of the action research study.

The final committee meeting will discuss the success of the action plan. Effective writing techniques will be identified for use in future science classes and a collection of successful techniques will be created. This collection will serve as a reference for the science department for coming years. The effectiveness of writing in the science classroom will continue to be monitored in future years and ELA teachers will be utilized as further reference when needed.