Talkin Bout Plan of Action

Technology Action  Research
Goal:  To enhance student engagement and increase learning through the efficient use of technological instructional tools in the classroom, beginning with advanced tasks of the Smart Board in core subject areas.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Discuss possible action research topics with site supervisor	Jennifer Willis Keith Lindsey (principal)	April 2012	Action research ideas	Agreement on top three ideas
Select an action research topic through interviewing teachers	Jennifer Willis	April 2012	Questions and Core teacher input	Areas of concern
Propose action research topic to site supervisor for approval	Jennifer Willis Keith Lindsey (principal)	April 2012	Action research proposed plan	Approval and support
Select a classroom to house the plan	Jennifer Willis	April 2012	Questions and Core teacher input	Core teacher agreement for participation
Take sixth grade Language Arts lesson plans for two weeks and integrate technology	Jennifer  Willis and Cathy Kimbrow (6th,7th,8th AP English Teacher)	April2012 – May 2012	Lesson Plans Smart Board Internet	Conducive to lesson objectives
Research Smart Board lessons for Language Arts	Jennifer Willis	April 2012	Internet, Search Engines	Conducive to lesson objectives and TEKS
Inquire to see if Mrs. Kimbrow is comfortable with the technology	Jennifer  Willis and Cathy Kimbrow (6th,7th,8th AP English Teacher)	April2012 – May 2012	Discussion and Questions	Self-reflection
Have Mrs. Kimbrow implement the new lessons for two weeks	Jennifer  Willis and Cathy Kimbrow (6th,7th,8th AP English Teacher)	May 2012	New Lesson Plans Smart Board Internet	Observe student engagement
Assess sixth grade students for performance on standard test	Jennifer  Willis and Cathy Kimbrow (6th,7th,8th AP English Teacher)	May 2012	Assessment tools	Student progress
Compare individuals’ test scores to their previous scores	Jennifer  Willis and Cathy Kimbrow (6th,7th,8th AP English Teacher)	May 2012	Student records	Student progress
Compare test scores of this year to previous years	Jennifer  Willis and Cathy Kimbrow (6th,7th,8th AP English Teacher)	May 2012	Sixth Grade Language Arts testing records	Difference in testing scores among students
Create an action research report	Jennifer Willis	May 2012	Collected data, Microsoft Office	Final Draft
Present action research report to principal	Jennifer Willis	May 2012	Action research plan	Approval to broaden research in other core areas
Present technology integration plan and assessment procedures to core subject teachers	Jennifer Willis	May 2012	Action research plan, resource websites, Smart Board	Teacher willingness
Lead a staff development seminar on technology in the classroom	Jennifer Willis	August 2012	Action Research Plan, Smart Board, Power Point	Teacher engagement

Talkin Bout Reflection

Action research can enable progression. I have seen several examples of this during this weeks assignment. I was able to look into how other administrators use the data to find the best ways to ensure student success! I was very impressed how the administrators personalized the research and looked to the individual for the proper approach.

Talkin Bout Technology in the Classroom!

Purpose: I would like to explore the use of technology in the core classroom vs the use of the traditional teaching methods.The purpose of this research project is to investigate if the proper use of a smart board for a lesson will benefit the students more so than the normal lesson.

 

Significance: Technology is advancing so fast. It changes everyday. Our instructional resources are also evolving. Too many times it seems that the technology is at our fingertips we just do not know how to use it properly.  We must master the knowledge and incorporate new approaches in instruction. So many teachers are comfortable in where they are. This may be because of the lack of ambition for them to change their methods of teaching or modify their lessons to incorporate technology. It takes time away from work and home to attend training and honestly most school districts cannot afford to send you. Most of the training offered locally is very general and may find that most doesn't pertain to you. Most of the teachers want direct knowledge of how to use the technology to fit their content area. I want to research a way to make the professionals growth easier and more appealing. I want to research the use of the Smart Board in the core subjects. How can we use them properly to enhance our lessons and student success? 

Talkin Bout Blogs

Educational leaders can benefit from the use of blogs. This could be an avenue of expression that involves everyone on their campus. They could use a blog to convey the campus vision and ask for feedback. Teachers could comment or give input on how the vision is being fostered and how the campus climate reflects the vision. This is just one of so many ways blogs could be utilized by an educational leader.

Talkin Bout Action Research

Action research is a simple way to approach administrative inquiry where certain practices are examined, questions are asked, and a process is set in place in order to re-define practices. When it seems as if you are not on the right course in your educational goals then taking a look at what the issues are and asking questions regarding the methods used are how an action research is initiated. A process is put into place through the gathering of significant data and getting answers to systematic questions. The application of your research is then up to you. To make a change, a plan is executed and the action is then part of your research. Through application of an intended action, you may find more answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. Traditional educational research relies on statistics and quantitative data. Traditional research never questions the basics of education and rarely allows for progression. Action research is a proactive method of searching for excellence and not just being satisfied with good. Action research is a self-discovery of what works best that you can find, not necessarily a solution that fits everyone style the best.  Action research tends to find the generalizations and stick to the theoretical, while action research addresses concerns critical to the educator.