Revised Action Research Plan 10-31-10

Action Research Plan

My action research plan will focus on the use of technology by teachers at DHS.  The district has made a commitment to prepare students and teachers for the upcoming challenges of the 21^st century.  The questions used to guide my research are the following:

What technology resources do your students uses on a weekly basis?

What technology resources do you (teacher) use on a weekly basis to aid in instruction?

Are the resources easily accessible?

Do you (teacher) know how to use the available resources?

Are you (teacher) aware of the resources that are available?

Goal:

The goal of this plan is to show that the teachers of DHS need more technological resources to promote purposeful engagement and collaboration to aid in 21^st century based instruction.

Activities:

The means for gathering my data initially will be through reviewing the library equipment log to establish a baseline of teachers that currently use technological resources.  Then I will create a survey which will be completed by grade 9-12 core subject teachers.  In addition to the survey I will also conduct classroom observations of staff to analyze classroom instruction.  Upon completion of the surveys and observations I will create a questionnaire that will be completed by students concerning their use of technology and their general opinions of technology use during instruction.  I will also create a questionnaire that will be completed by parents concerning their views of technology in education.

Resources and Tools:

To gather information, I will use “Survey Monkey” and "WebSurveyMaster" to create and disseminate the survey to the teachers and the students.  To collect my qualitative data, I will personally complete the classroom observations.  The student questionnaires will consist of a few questions that can be completed during random times during the school day.  The answers can be collected during passing periods, lunch, after school departure, and library time.  The parent questionnaires will be disseminated through email, school functions, and school-wide parent conferences.

Responsibility:

Vernall Cole will be responsible for the collection of all data and the dispersing of all materials.  The campus instructional technologists and the library media specialist will aid when necessary.

Timeline:

The timeline for the completion of the research will be approximately 10 weeks.

Assessment:

The assessment tools used to analyze the data will be the qualitative results from the classroom observations, student feedback and student/parent questionnaires.  The quantitative data will come from the results of the library equipment use log and the surveys.

Revision:

Upon completion of the research the goal will be to add to the resources on my campus.  The reflection of the data through charts/graphs will substantiate the need for the resources.  I will also display a list of the current technological resources and the resources needed to meet our goals.  I will also suggest a web link on our campus technology website to show what technological resources we have available.  I will also have a copy of the district technology plan and the campus STAR Chart to reinforce the need for the additional resources.

 

Week 4 Reflection

This week I looked at the possible issues that could hinder my research.  The biggest concern I forsee right now is the participation of fellow staff members in the gathering of information.  Another concern will be time management due to other duties.  It wll be essential for me to seek help from other staff members in other department to dissimenate information.  Since I'm in such a large school it will be difficult to go to each teacher to distibute the information.
As of now, I am pleased with my progress so far and the extra information and ideas gained from my class members.

Action Research Plan 10-24-10

Action Research Plan

My action research plan will focus on the use of technology by teachers at DHS.  The district has made a commitment to prepare students and teachers for the upcoming challenges of the 21^st century.  The questions used to guide my research are the following:

What technology resources do your students uses on a weekly basis?

What technology resources do you (teacher) use on a weekly basis to aid in instruction?

Are the resources easily accessible?

Do you (teacher) know how to use the available resources?

Are you (teacher) aware of the resources that are available?

Goal:

The goal of this plan is to show that the teachers of DHS need more technological resources to promote purposeful engagement and collaboration to aid in 21^st century based instruction.

Activities:

The means for gathering my data initially will be through reviewing the library equipment log to establish a baseline of teachers that currently use technological resources.  Then I will create a survey which will be completed by grade 9-12 core subject teachers.  In addition to the survey I will also conduct classroom observations of staff to analyze classroom instruction.  Upon completion of the surveys and observations I will create a questionnaire that will be completed by students concerning their use of technology and their general opinions of technology use during instruction.  I will also create a questionnaire that will be completed by parents concerning their views of technology in education.

Resources and Tools:

To gather information, I will use “Survey Monkey” to create and disseminate the survey to the teachers.  To collect my qualitative data, I will personally complete the classroom observations.  The student questionnaires will consist of a few questions that can be completed during random times during the school day.  The answers can be collected during passing periods, lunch, after school departure, and library time.  The parent questionnaires will be disseminated through email, school functions, and school-wide parent conferences.

Responsibility:

Vernall Cole will be responsible for the collection of all data and the dispersing of all materials.  The campus instructional technologists and the library media specialist will aid when necessary.

Timeline:

The timeline for the completion of the research will be approximately 10 weeks.

Assessment:

The assessment tools used to analyze the data will be the qualitative results from the classroom observations, student feedback and student/parent questionnaires.  The quantitative data will come from the results of the library equipment use log and the surveys.

Revision:

Upon completion of the research the goal will be to add to the resources on my campus.  The reflection of the data through charts/graphs will substantiate the need for the resources.  I will also display a list of the current technological resources and the resources needed to meet our goals.  I will also have a copy of the district technology plan and the campus STAR Chart to reinforce the need for the additional resources

Week 2 Reflection

This week it was important for me to choose my action research topic.  I had two topic that I was really interested in, "Cell Phone Use in the Classroom: Friend or Foe" and "Are DHS Teachers Utilizing Technological Resources?"  I decided to do my research over "Cell Phone Use in the Classroom: Friend or Foe."  I had a chance to dicuss my topic with my site supervisors and we came to an agreement that this would be the best topic. 
Also, I had a chance to listen to school leaders discuss action research and issues I need to consider when beginning my research.  Listening to the speakers gave me some insite on issues I didn't consider in the beginning which caused me to change one of my topics.

Educational Leaders & Blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs to promote open dialogue on a variety of educational topics.  A blog will allow others to give feedback.  These people can be from different levels of the educational community.  The blog can help create a community of learners who offer suggestions and advice to improve the educational system.

Action Research

On the subject of action research, I've learned some new valuable information.  Action research usually takes place in an educational environment.  The method of research involves collaboration among people at different levels of the educational community.  The research calls for reflection among members.  The members want to focus on solutions to problems that are relevant to their class, school or district.  Action research does not involve an outside group to coming in and making suggestion for adjustment.  The topics for research will be devised by the members of the school staff.  The idea is that the members will become more involved in the process because it directly affects them.
Action research can take place at different levels.  It can involve a problem that exists in a classroom.  The specific teacher will conduct the research.  The teacher can seek advice from other teachers or a supervisor.  Action research can look at issues within a certain department.  The issue can be common to all classes in that department.  The group may seek advice from supervisors or similar departments at other schools.  Action research can involve issues at a school where the problem is common to all staff.  Action research can also take place at the district level.  At this level the collection of data and other information is critical.  All staff should be involved in this process.
Some beneifts of action research are principals get to work and collaborate with teachers, principals and teachers enhance their professional development, the members involved will focus on specific school issues, reflective thinking, and the overall improvment of school culture.