Reflection on EDLD 5301 Research, Week Two

During week two of my Research course, I was impressed that both of the scholar interviews I chose to analyze for my assignment, Dr. Timothy Chargois and Dr. Johnny Briseño kept emphasizing qualitative research on students during their interviews. I learned the value of performing qualitative research to become better acquainted with my students and with all the aspects of their lives as individuals that affect their performance in the learning environment. 

Talking this week with my site supervisor about conducting an action research plan, I feel more confident about going forth with my own plan and completing it.

How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs

One of the most powerful tools to communicate, share professional thoughts, or experiences is through blogging. Professional leaders should use blogging as a form of communication. A communication tool provides an opportunity to be heard and an audience to hear. Blogging makes the communication interactive which allows feedback, discussion, or collaboration. Blogs are also an excellent way to capture thought processes as an inquiry unfolds. Blogs are easily created and can easily be updated. Blogs can be used much like personal journals. Research and data can be added to blogs instantly as thoughts and answers arise. A blog captures and stores thoughts safely, so they can be shared and/or returned to at a later time. Professional leaders can also learn from other blog posts, and can post comments and questions as well.  

Action Research: What I Learned and How I Might Be Able To Use It

Action research is a systematic process that allows you to try different ways of doing things  until you find something that really works for your organization. Action research can be looked at as a professional development tool, since it enhances the capacity of teachers as a generator of professional knowledge in contrast to enhancing their capacity to apply someone else’s knowledge. Action research is an influential tool for school and classroom investigation. It is a means of remedying problems in a specific situations or improving a given set of circumstances. It is also a means of in-service training by equipping the teachers with new skills and methods, sharpening analytical powers and heightening self-awareness. Action research allows professional educators to grow and gain confidence in their work. It also influences thinking skills, projects a sense of efficacy, creates a willingness to share and communicate, and improves attitudes toward the process of change.  Through action research, educators learn about themselves, their staff, their colleagues, and can determine ways to continually improve. Action research strengthens communication.  Team work within the school or district brings individuals together for a shared purpose.  Educators involved in action research become more flexible in their thinking and more open to new idea.