EDLD 5301 Research: Week 4 Revised Action Research Plan

Hi All,

Thanks to Karen's recommendation to use Googledocs, I FINALLY figured out how to post my Action Plan Chart. If you are interested, you need to open a new window and go to www.googledocs.com. Sign in and upload your doc or chart. Copy/Paste the link to your blog.

Here is mine:
https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1qn61TnQzoT5cL3sV3u9KhPLdLtDaNWNOklRQnD2XkL8&hl=en&authkey=CJnB6IYD

EDLD 5301 Research: Week 3

As soon as I figure out how to post this table properly, I will replace this with the actual table.

Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template

Goal: The purpose of this research project is to investigate the impact of technology on the attention, interest, retention and test scores of students with disabilities. The research for this project will take place during the 2010-2011 school years. Approximately 100 students and 10 teachers will be the targeted individuals and groups used as subjects. Multiple investigative tools will be used including but not limited to surveys, observations, data, test scores, and the internet. The goal of the project is to lead to discovery of which technology medias are most and least effective.

Action Step(s) Person(s)Responsible Timeline:Start/End NeededResources Evaluation

1.Setting the Foundation JBasic, Assistant Principal, SPED and DE Dept. Chairs and teachers, Regular Ed teachers and Paras, Students and Parents August 2010-June 2011 • TAKS Scores last 4 years
• AYP last 4 years
• IEP’s
• Internet Searches
• Surveys • Buy-In interest level
• Survey questions formulated
• Data sources decided

2.Analyzing Data JBasic, Assistant Principal, SPED and DE Dept. Chairs and teachers, Regular Ed teachers and Paras, Students and Parents August 2010-June 2011 • TAKS Scores last 4 years
• AYP last 4 years
• IEP’s
• Internet Searches
• Surveys Summary of data

3.Developing Deeper Understanding JBasic, Assistant Principal, SPED and DE Dept. Chairs and teachers, Regular Ed teachers and Paras, Students and Parents August-September 2010 • TAKS Scores last 4 years
• AYP last 4 years
• IEP’s
• Internet Searches
• Surveys Understanding the possible pros and cons and possible consequences of selecting certain solutions

4.Engage in Self Reflection JBasic August 2010-June 2011 • TAKS Scores last 4 years
• AYP last 4 years
• IEP’s
• Internet Searches
• Surveys Have I included the proper resources to address my question?
Have I done enough background research?
Have I included enough mediums of technology?

5.Exploring Programmatic Patterns JBasic
Assistant Principal
SPED/DE teachers
District Technology Liasons September 2010-June 2011 • TAKS Scores last 4 years
• AYP last 4 years
• IEP’s
• Internet Searches
• Surveys
• Technology Mediums (whiteboards, PC’s, Laptops, projectors, hearing devices,
Have I uncovered which technologies work, which do not, and which should be explored more fully?

6.Determining Direction JBasic, Assistant Principal, SPED and DE Dept. Chairs and teachers, Regular Ed teachers and Paras, Students and Parents August 2010-June 2011 • TAKS Scores last 4 years
• AYP last 4 years
• IEP’s
• Internet Searches
• Surveys
• Technology Mediums (whiteboards, PC’s, Laptops, projectors, hearing devices,
Are my research questions clear?
Are the skills and resources adequate for my research?
Have I collaborated adequately?
Is my timeline realistic?
Is my plan to monitor my progress realistic?
Is success measurable?
How will. I monitor and revise my plan?

7.Taking Action For School Improvement JBasic, Assistant Principal, SPED and DE Dept. Chairs and teachers, Regular Ed teachers and Paras, Technology Committee, Students and Parents August 2010-June 2011 Written Plan of Action
Timeline for monitoring
Summary Report How will my discoveries be used to make positive changes on my campus?

8.Sustain Improvement JBasic, Assistant Principal, SPED and DE Dept. Chairs and teachers, Regular Ed teachers and Paras, Technology Committee, Students and Parents June 2011 forward • TAKS Scores last 4 years
• AYP last 4 years
• IEP’s
• Internet Searches
• Surveys
• Technology Mediums (whiteboards, PC’s, Laptops, projectors, hearing devices,
Formal plan to be shared with all staff

EDLD 5301 Research: Week 2 Reflection

Week 2 of EDLD 5301, Research, allowed me the opportunity and time to "dig into" the action processes and skills I need to be successful with my research process. Spending time with my Assistant Principal, helped me to narrow down, and firm up my topic and how my findings might make a difference in the lives of students and teachers. Through our class videos and reading assignments I was able to identify at least nine areas that are common targets or themes of school-based action research. I acknowledged that,this week, far more than ANY other week(in any class),the discussion board was extremely interesting and exciting.

EDLD 5301 Educational Leaders and the Use of Blogs

If handled appropriately the use of blogs could prove to be an extremely powerful devise to aid in the continued growth of an educational community. Ideally a blog should be used to get people thinking and to pose questions and possible solutions to problems or areas of concern on any given campus or institution. Educational leaders could accomplish this by posting a variety of mediums while posing the all important questions. These mediums might include campus newsletters, calendars, test scores, surveys and school successes just to name a few. Idyllically the blog would serve as a place to get all stakeholders the opportunity to learn and participate.

EDLD 5301 Action Research

Action research is research in which the researcher takes an involved role as a participant in planning and implementing change. Originated by Kurt Lewin, action research was, and involves conducting experiments by making changes while simultaneously observing the results.
• Action research is a practical way for individuals to explore the nature of their practice and to improve it.
• Action research encourages practitioners to become knowledge-makers, rather than merely knowledge-users.
• Action research uses action as a means of research; planned change is implemented, monitored and analysed.
• Action research proceeds in an action-reflection cycle or spiral.
• The process can be messy; as research proceeds, wider links are likely to be identified.
• Action research is carried out by individuals, but these individuals may work collaboratively.
• Action researchers may use a variety of research methods, both qualitative and quantitative.
• Action researchers must ensure triangulation in their methods.

EDLD 5301 Research

This Research Class Lamar 5301 is my 8Th Class on my way to a Masters Degree In Education. I will be researching the effectiveness of technology on the growth of students with special needs. As a SPED Mom of 20 years and a SPED teacher with one year under my belt, I am anxious to discover what has and has not worked. I am especially curious about what might be the upcoming technology tools. My first love is technology. Thus, I am hoping to find a plethora of ideas to incorporate into my personal life and teaching, as well as proven techniques that might benefit all staff and students in my building.