EDLD 5301-Action Research Explanation

Administrative inquiry/action research is the process by which educators consistently reflect upon practices in their teaching and learning environments and use their observations to create discussion that leads to the appropriate concept application.

In the book Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action, the authors outline the process of action research. First, inquiry and reflection are needed to determine the topic to be studied. Stakeholders participate in determining what needs to be addressed. Next, data on the topic needs to be analyzed. This can include TAKS results, PEIMS data, AEIS reports, videos, interviews, past published research, and surveys.

The authors suggest reflecting on your own internal biases and purposes to provide clarity to your research and then inquire about programmatic patterns in your school to determine any hindrances to success.

After this, an action plan must be developed of which all stakeholders feel they have ownership. When the plan is implemented, monitoring its effects through reflection and evaluation is needed. Finally, documentation through journaling, blogging, and/or publishing is beneficial to the group to be encouraged by their success and to share “best practices” with others facing the same challenges.

For my internship, I will study the implementation of a new software program in our district. The software promises to easily allow teachers to see students’ past standardized test results, prepare their own benchmark tests and grade them using retail scanners. I will research how the teachers are using the program, and in the end, what are the best practices for use of the program. It may be that new ways of utilizing the data are developed over time.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, N.Y.: Eye on Education