I am getting to a point where I am not sure how to manage ALL of my life..... My husband and I have a 13 yr old and a 5 yr old that starts Kindergarten this year (sniff sniff), we own a full time catering business, I am moving from Elementary to Jr. High Science this school year, OH! and I am trying to get my Masters! HA HA! It all piles together and everyone wants/needs something at the exact same time. I have decided the only way to get through this is to take it one day at a time and resolve to the fact that there isn't really that much need for sleep... ;)
OK, enough complaining, I wouldn't trade anything in my life. I am VERY blessed!
This week I realized that there are SO many aspects of a school and the great part, to me, is that they all tie in to each other. If Staff Development is your focus, there are still aspects of Individual Teachers development and Culture Building along with Leadership Skills. We may be focused on one passion, but I feel like we touch on almost all passions at the same time and change is bound to happen over time and as more light is shed on a topic through research. It is not unusual, as practitioner-inquirers collect data... for them to gain insights into their initial wondering that leads them in a new direction midway through the inquiry (Dana 2009, pg. 68). This statement give me comfort in the fact that nothing is set in stone and we can allow the research to take us in whatever direction benefits our school the most.
I feel like coming up with a definite wondering statement is going to prove difficult. Another meeting with my site supervisor is necessary to word this thing the best way possible. I know we are all feeling overwhelmed, but it will all be worth it in just a few months! Good luck this week!!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Educator use of Blogs
Using a blog is a way to journal your findings and relate those findings to interested parties. Weblogs are another excellent way principal-researchers can capture their thinking as an inquiry unfolds (Dana, 2009). By writing reflections throughout the research process administrators are able to incorporate thought, findings and links to research that will keep other parties involved and informed. Being able to comment on these posts allows feedback from those parties and growth of the research.
Educators can use blogs in the classroom to inform students and parents of daily/weekly assignments or upcoming events. They can be used to log progress of a project that students are working on. They can also be used as a journal for students to write, reflect and comment on their own findings and class progress. Blogs create an educational community that feeds off of each students words and creates growth and insight in the classroom.
Educators can use blogs in the classroom to inform students and parents of daily/weekly assignments or upcoming events. They can be used to log progress of a project that students are working on. They can also be used as a journal for students to write, reflect and comment on their own findings and class progress. Blogs create an educational community that feeds off of each students words and creates growth and insight in the classroom.
Action Research defined:
In my mind research meant going to the library, searching through endless text and hoping you found enough information to get your quota of pages written on your specific topic of research. Obviously the majority of research I had to do in school was not assisted by the Internet. Thank goodness for technological advancements!
After the assigned reading this week I have a completely different opinion of research and am very excited about this adventure. Action research/administrative inquiry is a way for administration to take a recognized problem or situation, look at the current way things are being done and research ways to improve or remedy the situation. The difference between action research and traditional research is that action research is done by the people involved in the situation. Simply stated, administrator inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in a systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry (Dana, 2009). The key difference is in the reflection of the administrators own practice. By reflecting on practice we are able to look at ourselves critically and see where the problems lie and what can be done to change these issues. Self reflection is a hard thing for educators to do sometimes. Through the "continual set of spirals consisting of reflection and action" (Elliot, 1988), we are able to reflect and then make a change that best suits our students. The process is continually repeated until we achieve our goal. As administrators participating in action research, we are stetting examples for our teachers and students as well. We are showing them that we choose to be life long learners and search for continual improvement through research, data collection and reflection. I look forward to learning this process well and leading by example through out my administrative career.
After the assigned reading this week I have a completely different opinion of research and am very excited about this adventure. Action research/administrative inquiry is a way for administration to take a recognized problem or situation, look at the current way things are being done and research ways to improve or remedy the situation. The difference between action research and traditional research is that action research is done by the people involved in the situation. Simply stated, administrator inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in a systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry (Dana, 2009). The key difference is in the reflection of the administrators own practice. By reflecting on practice we are able to look at ourselves critically and see where the problems lie and what can be done to change these issues. Self reflection is a hard thing for educators to do sometimes. Through the "continual set of spirals consisting of reflection and action" (Elliot, 1988), we are able to reflect and then make a change that best suits our students. The process is continually repeated until we achieve our goal. As administrators participating in action research, we are stetting examples for our teachers and students as well. We are showing them that we choose to be life long learners and search for continual improvement through research, data collection and reflection. I look forward to learning this process well and leading by example through out my administrative career.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)