More Details to the Plan

This past week, I met with my Site Mentor to discuss my plan of researching what motivates the teachers at my campus to learn about and integrate Web 2.0 and other technology tools and to see how the learning environment changes with the increased use of such tools. After my meeting, we decided to move forward with my research plan as planned. We discussed some possible areas that may be a concern throughout the process. These include the time needed for teachers to get training done and then implementing the newly acquired technology skills into their curriculum. Many teachers are committed to a variety of different activities both in school and out, that adding on one more activity can be too much. Time is a very valuable resource to all educators and we often feel there is never enough of it to get things done without something not getting enough attention.

I plan to work with a small group of teachers at the campus to gain some insight into what works for teachers from different grade levels, as well as different ranges of experience and comfort with using technology. Building a relationship with these teachers and observing how they interact with the tools and their students will help me to adapt my own teaching styles when working with both students and colleagues.

Action Research Plan

During week 3, I have focused more on the development of my research plan to help me achieve my end goal of finding ways to better train the staff in technology use in efforts to improve the sustained learning of the students and teachers at my campus.

The first step in my action plan is to learn what motivates teachers at my campus to want to learn more about technology use in the classroom. To do this I will need to create a survey to collect information from the teachers and make sure that all teachers have access to the different technology tools we have at school as well as the available trainings offered by the district and campus. The task should be able to be completed within the first two weeks of school and results will be evaluated through a training blog I will set up for the teachers to have access to. The campus Technology Integration Coach, a campus administrator, and the district techonology facilitator will be responsible for making sure teachers have the resources they need and information is completed on time.

The second step in my action plan is to log the change in the classroom learning environment due to the implementation of technology tools. To do this, I will have my sample group keep a simple portfolio of the technology projects completed by students throughout the year to chronicle their growth. Teachers will also need to have ready access to technology tools in the classroom ans in the computer lab. This task will be a year-long process to record student growth, but teachers will meet in December, March, and May to share progress. The campus training blog will be kept up regularly to share ideas and comments in a safe environment. The campus TIC and the sample group will share responsibility for completing this step.

In order to see if student learning is sustained, this project will likely continue into the following year. Teacher training throughout this process will be developed around the curriculum and the needs of the teacher.

Action Research

In week 2 of my EDLD 5301 course, we focused on nine common passions that educational leaders focus on when beginning an action research plan. These nine areas are staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, individual students, school culture/community, leadership, management, school performance, and social justice or equity issues. After reading different examples of each area, I was fascinated by how much I was drawn to specific areas of focus. Since I began teaching, my goal has always been to reach and positively influence the lives of as many students as possible, so my focus expands beyond the bounds of a single classroom and a single year to the desire to help those that help the students - the teachers. This weeks work enabled me to focus my thoughts more on specific needs to help me grow as an educator and leader.

Blogging for Administrators

Blogging is an important Web 2.0 tool that administrators should utilize. An easy way to integrate the use of blogs is to publish posts of events going on at the campus to keep parents, staff and students up to date with the latest and greatest of the school. Administrators can also use blogs with the staff to share their thoughts on articles they have read, or professional development attended that relate to the climate of the school (the population or the academics). Teachers can then respond to the posts and share personal experience with the topic. This is an easy way to achieve personalized professional development for your campus and model continual learning for your staff and students.

The Importance of Action Research

Action research is "the process of engaging in systematic, intentional study of one's own practices and taking action for change based on what is learned as a result of the inquiry." (Dana, 2009). More simply stated, it is an important tool used by many who wish to reflect upon the work they are doing and see how effective it is for population being served by it. As a teacher, I currently use this process when reviewing units of study I have developed or activities planned for my students. Reflecting on what has worked and what hasn't helps me grow as a teacher so that I can be more effective for the students I serve. For example, if I have a group of students who struggled a great deal with a creative writing activity, I may reflect upon what I did through the activity and research other ways of presenting this type of activity to determine if I can change, or improve, my teaching to better meet my students needs. Maybe more time is needed in organizing thoughts, or perhaps a better way to present voice so that the students understand they already have it and can be confident in putting it in their writing. The process of researching and reflecting is continuous as I strive to become a better practitioner of the craft of teaching.
Since beginning my study of technology in education, I am constantly seeing the need for research so that I can better understand the tools we have available to use and present them to my students and fellow educators. Over the past few years, our campus has received grants and other funding to improve the technology available to the staff and students. We have piloted a couple of programs at our campus for things like "clickers" and it is very necessary for the teachers to "buy in" before they will commit to trying programs like this. This upcoming year, I will be assisting the campus as a Technology Integration Coach where I will have more of an opportunity to participate in action research via district meetings and professional learning groups to make the use of technology more natural for the teachers at my campus.

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.