discussion 1

Through this first week of 5301, I have learned a considerable amount regarding action research.  I have learned the difference between action research and traditional education research.  Traditional action research revolves around the administrator basing change off of others that have no interaction with our actual schools.  Those that participate in a traditional research method, do not like or want to initiate change and be actively involved in this process.  Action research is a systematic process in which the principal, aspiring principal, or any involved parties are actively engaged in.  The action researcher poses questions, collects data, analyzes data, requests additional data, reflects, and seeks solutions. This type of research is an ongoing and continual process with many steps.  The researcher is directly involved.  I learned about the benefits of action research from our Dana text and it really put it into perspective for me how beneficial this process really is. I read and thought about the different contexts that action research can be used in an education setting which introduced potential possibilities that I had not yet thought of.  I know that being an action researcher will help to make me the best administrator that I am capable of being. Action research proves to be the most effective style of research for anyone in an education setting.  

Education leaders could use blogs in many ways.  I think that one great idea would be to have all teachers follow the educational leaders blogs and that way discussions regarding upcoming decisions and ideas could be discussed when time permitted.  It would allow those who want to participate to do so in a relaxed fashion.