TechLearner 7

Week Three Assignment, Part 3 – Steps to Follow in Your Action Research Plan

1. Examining the work: Setting the Foundation – To identify my action research topic, I consulted with my mentor. Since I am working to earn my masters degree in Educational Technology, my inquiry research project needs to be about technology. We are beginning the use of two new programs in our district. One is a data analysis software program called School Objects: Aware by Eduphoria. This program promises to make data available to classroom teachers from a variety of sources so that teachers can make instructional decisions based on what the students need in her classroom. It also allows for teacher created benchmark testing and easy use of scantrons. The other new software is a pilot project that is a dual effort by the Texas Education Agency and the New York Times. This software will provide an avenue to create student e-portfolios and professional learning communities amongst the teachers. After discussion with my mentor, it was decided that the Aware program should be studied. The inquiry question that I will ask will be “How has the program SchoolObjects: Aware assisted you as a teacher?”

2. Analyzing data - Searching the internet for articles and publications on the two programs – Aware and Project Share – were my first steps. Since our school district will be in pilot project with the Project Share software, it was my first idea. I also looked into research on the Aware program. I found most of the research was on attempts by schools to make data-driven decisions without the help of organizing software. The research was on schools use of the data once they had collected it for use in Data-based Decision Making (DBDM). This information is very useful, because I can examine the research to see if the data in the program Aware is used in the same way. (Marsh, Pane & Hamilton, 2006) I also received some helpful comments from fellow classmates in our discussion board as I conveyed my possible topics. Lynne B. commented that she had seen positive shifts in teacher’s attitudes as they now had ownership of the data. Teacher Kimberly O. commented that it “works WONDERS for our planning.” Two other classmates, Carey W. and Michelle P., who teach Computer Technology and Communications Applications respectively, have found that as non-core curriculum teachers they are often left out of the discussions on student data analysis, but would like to be included.

3. Developing deeper understanding – I will employ several data collection strategies. I will take field notes from a focus group of 7 individuals that will include IT personnel, an administrator, and teachers. Interviews will be conducted with 5 – 8 teachers to get details of how they use Aware. Video and notes will also be taken at training sessions for the teachers on the program. Surveys will be conducted midyear and at the end of the year on ways teachers have used the program. Research will also be done to find other districts that have used Aware and documented their results publicly. I am thinking about also creating a blog for teachers to share their ideas and findings.

4. Engaging in Self-Reflection – During EDLD 5306 I took the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and was identified as a “guardian” temperament. “Guardians” are service oriented people who are loyal and dependable towards others. They enjoy social groups and seek security through following the rules and keeping things stable. They are traditionalists who desire to change things slowly to make sure the outcomes are more predictable. They appreciate good change, but do not value change for the sake of change. They are humble and work diligently. They appreciate gratitude for their efforts. In the Multiple Intelligence surveys, my results identified me as enjoying nature, being a self learner who enjoys journaling and I scored high in math/logic learning. Since I have kept a personal journal for many years, reflecting on this project should be enjoyable. Throughout this process I will engage in self-reflection in different ways. My internship requires that I post monthly reflections on my field-based activities which include this project. My wiki will also include my hours log on my time spent on this project. Conferences with my mentor will further allow me to reflect on my progress in this study as will the conservations in the focus group. Some of the questions I may reflect upon are “did the training sessions on the program adequately prepare the teachers to use the software?” or” Is the program working for the teachers as expected?” “Is the program user-friendly?” “What instructional changes have been made as the result of reviewing student data?”

5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns – The focus group discussion and interviews will give me ideas of teachers’ employment of Aware. After the initial survey is released, it may be found that it would be best to address one aspect of Aware to the teachers at a time. Possibly teachers will find the available data overwhelming.

6. Determining direction – Working collaboratively with my mentor, we may find places where I need to tweak my questions or plans to find the best data. After the first survey, any teacher concerns will come to light and addressing those concerns in the second survey will be important. I do believe my timelines are realistic. Studying up on surveys and how to encourage teachers to fill them out will be an important step. Everyone is busy and may not wish to spend precious time on a survey.

7. Taking action for school improvement – Since I am not employed by the district I am working with, I will not implement change in response to my inquiry. I will include in my project suggestions on how teachers may get more out of using the program Aware in the classroom. These may involve making the training sessions more specific, training core area teachers by their needs, or creating a quick-use guide for Aware. Of course, if my mentor has a volunteer duty I could fulfill in this area, I will gladly do it.

8. Sustaining improvement – Sharing with the Instructional Technology Director the positive uses of Aware and the weaknesses of its use will provide the backdrop for future training sessions on Aware. This is a more efficient use of teacher time if they are able to focus on one section of data recall at a time. Continuing to monitor and maintain a blog for Aware use and discussion will help teachers keep abreast of new uses of this technology. The skills I am learning on inquiry research will go with me – even if my next inquiry is on parenting or home improvement. Today, The Chronicle of High Education published an article claiming that university professors are guilty of assigning research papers but never giving detailed direction on how to accomplish the task. The Lamar University professors do not have to worry about that complaint! :)

Resources

Keirsey Temperament link
www.keirsey.com

Multiple intelligence Link
http://lth3.k12.il.us/rhampton/mi/mi.html

http://chronicle.com/article/Research-Assignment-Handouts/123702/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

Dana, Nancy Fichman. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J., (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our School: 8 Steps from Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.