Action Research

When I originally started thinking of action research from an administrator's point of view, I thought it was a ridiculous idea.  I thought the administrators at my school are too busy to try and do action research.  Now, that I have learned the meaning of action research however, I see that it is already being done on my campus by my principal and assistant principals.  I serve on the leadership team at my school.  We study data, study the effectiveness of current programs, and come up with ways to meet the current needs of the students and teachers at our schools.  We also have professional learning communities (PLCs).  These communities meet to discuss data, trends, procedures, and strategies.  I have always hated parish wide professional development.  We would sit in these meetings and some would get something they could use and others would not.  Those responsible for choosing the professional development did not take into account the needs of their audience.  Action research provides for focused professional development based on the needs of individual administrators, teachers, and schools.

Blogs may be used by administrators as a part of action research.  Participants of the action research can blog their reflections on the specific need.  They can track their progress in implementing the change as well as what is effective or ineffective.  Blogs can save time.  Blogs allow participants to exchange information without having to have a face to face meeting.