Action Research Plan

Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template Goal To learn in what ways will the use of technology through the implementation of the TLC3 framework impact 5th grade student achievement on the STAAR tests (Math, Reading and Science) Action Step(s) Person(s) Responsible Timeline: Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation 1.      Analyze the use of technology by 5th grade students and teachers at the beginning of TLC3 program. E. Arias Nov.12-16 -          Survey (to be developed) -          An Educator’s Guide to Evaluating the use of Technology in Schools and Classrooms by U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement Completed surveys and weblog entry  by Nov. 18 2.      Monitor the implementation of the TLC3 framework in each class. E. Arias J. Ibanez C. Corns D. Moya R. Quiroga Nov. 26-30 Mar 4-8 May. 6-10 -          Interview (to be developed) -          Student work -          Digital camera Interview summary and weblog entry  by May 12 3.      Analyze the use of technology by 5th grade students and teachers at the end of the first year of implementation of the TLC3 program. E. Arias May 13-17 -          Survey (to be developed) -          Student work -          Digital camera Completed surveys and weblog entry  by May 18 4.      Compare and  analyze use of Technology at the beginning and ending of the implementation of the TLC3 program. E. Arias C. Trevino May 20-24 -          Surveys -          Interviews -          Student work -          Digital camera Summary report of surveys and interviews, and weblog entry  by May 24 5.      Analyze student’s level of achievement on the 2011-2012 5th grade STAAR Reading, Mathematics and Science tests. E. Arias C. Trevino Feb 19-22 -          Field notes -          2011-2012 5th grade STAAR Reading, Mathematics and Science scores Report of analysis and weblog entry  by Feb. 22 6.      Analyze student’s level of achievement on the 2012-2013 5th grade STAAR Reading, Mathematics and Science tests. E. Arias May 20-24 -          2011-2012 5th grade STAAR Reading, Mathematics and Science scores -          Field notes Report of analysis  and weblog entry  by Feb. 24 7.      Compare and  analyze student’s level of achievement on the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 5th grade STAAR Reading, Mathematics and Science tests E. Arias C. Trevino June 3-7 -          2011-2012 and 2012-2012 5th grade STAAR Reading, Mathematics and Science scores -          Field notes Summary report of field notes and weblog entry  by June 7 8.      Evaluate effectiveness of research E. Arias S. Pitchford K. Buentello June 10-14 -          Summary reports with surveys, interviews and field notes Principal’s feedback   and weblog entry.   9.      Draw conclusions and determine actions to take based on the results of research E. Arias S. Pitchford June 17-28 -          Summary reports with surveys, interviews and field notes Principal’s feedback and weblog entry.

Lessons learned from week 2 of EDLD 5301 Research for Teachers

As I was reading about the nine passions for wonderings and questions and all the examples provided in the text called Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher, I realized how simple and direct the inquiry wonderings should be when conducting effective action research. This realization guided me into narrowing down the topics for my research so I can focus my energy and resources, to create an effective action research project.

From the videos provided in this week that describe real life examples of action research, I learned that many times the topic of investigation changes, and one should consider the topic as a "living" thing that can evolve according to the specific circumstances and needs of the people involved in the research.

HOW EDUCATIONAL LEADERS MIGTH USE BLOGS

The use of blogs for and educational leader could be a very powerful tool to improve communication with faculty, staff, students and parents. For example a principal might be able to communicate his particular educational vision through the use of blogs, to comment on important events going on at school, to express his perspective on current world events and how they impact the school, etc. All these examples could bring the Principal closer to all stake holders and reduce the communication gap that exists among them. Here are three great examples of Principals blogs:

• http://bburkhead.blogspot.com/
• http://bridgemiddle.blogspot.com/
• http://bridgemiddle.blogspot.com/

WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT ACTION RESEARCH AND HOW I MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE IT

About Action Research

Action research is the process through which practitioners: Reflect on their professional practice and develop a series of questions or "wonderings", Collect data to gain insights into their wonderings, Analyze their data and read relevant literature, Make changes in their practice based on the new findings of their inquiries, and share those findings with other. Action research is a very powerful and interactive process that when used in an educational setting allows educators to investigate relevant and meaningful topics to them developing a sense of ownership of their knowledge that motivates them to actively participate in the process, thus increasing the chances of implementing their research results, and therefore the possibilities of making a real change that could positively impact schools.

My perspective for it’s implementation

One way I might be able to use action research in my school is by collaborating with the Technology Committee to evaluate the educational impact of the school's participation in the TLC3 program, a learning framework that uses new technologies (iPads) and merges them with challenge-based learning. Specifically, I wonder what would be the program’s impact in regards to three factors. First, the level of involvement and use of technology by teachers. Will teachers embrace the new framework and radically modify their lesson delivery? Or will they do the minimum required by the School District without significantly modify their traditional teaching?  Second, Student’s STAAR scores. I wonder if the implementation of the new learning framework will increase student achievement in the State's standardized test and up to what extent this could be measured. And finally, if the implementation of the program could increase the moral of the students and teachers to attend school. While these are ambitious research targets that I am not quite sure we can implement and measure in their totality, I believe we can narrow down the scope and reach of the research so that we could at least investigate one aspect of each factor during this school year.