Week 3 Reflection

This was by far the hardest week for me.  You think you know what you have to do and then you have to go in an fine tune everything. I did learn a lot from this assignment and lets just keep moving forward.

Action Research Project - Process Overview

Action Research Project Process Overview Goal: The impact of technology reinforcing classroom instruction 1.  Setting the Foundation – After the meeting with my site supervisor and discussing different action research projects, my site supervisor thought studying how Odysseyware would reinforce classroom instruction.  We purchased the software in the summer 2012 to be used as our summer school credit recovery program, but we want to know if it can be used alongside classroom instruction to help those in special education, struggling learners, and students who have not passed the STAAR End of Course exam.  2.  Analyzing Data – The data that we will gather will come from the classroom teachers, RtI lab and the Principal.  We will look at the student’s grades and EOC test scores.  3.  Developing Deeper Understanding – After analyzing the data, we can determine whether Odysseyware does reinforce classroom instruction and can be used district wide to help students who struggle in the classroom or have failed parts of the STAAR EOC.  4.  Engage in Self-Reflection.  I will take a look at how my action research project is progressing and with the help of my site supervisor and teachers in the RtI lab as well as the other classroom teachers make changes to my action research project.  5.  Exploring Pragmatic Patterns – Will interview site supervisor, RtI Lab, and classroom teachers to find out if they others problems that these students face that might affect them in the classroom.  6.  Determining Direction – Am I clear on my action research question that I am attempting to solve?  Have a set a realistic timeline, and how will I revise and improve my plan based on monitoring and evaluation.  7. Taking Action for School Improvement – I will prepare reports to share with my site supervisor, RtI lab, and classroom teachers.  I will create an outline that will tell others how the project should be done and when to have it completed and what evidence of my work will be available to my site mentor.  8. Sustain Improvement – I will present all information gathered to all interested personnel at the high school.  I will also share my research project with others outside the district that might find my research beneficial to their district.  I will use my personal website and blogs to share this information with those outside the district.

Action Planning Template

Action Planning Template
Goal: The impact of reinforcing classroom instruction with technology for special education students, students who failed STAAR EOC Exams, and those that struggle in their classes by using Odysseyware and Study Island.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Setting the Foundation: Conduct a study to find out if students will benefit by using Odysseyware and Study Island to reinforce classroom instruction	Lee Sanchez Judy White, RtI Barbara McCallister, Counselor Eddie Boggess, Principal Classroom Teachers Technology Coordinators	October 2012	Computer STAAR EOC Data Student Grades Odysseyware Teacher Feedback	Meet with my site advisor to evaluate my plan for using technology to reinforce classroom instruction.
Analyzing Data: I will look at student grades, test scores, and ask teachers if they know of any other students they think may benefit from using this computer software to supplement classroom instruction.  Interview Teachers, RtI lab teacher and Principal to identify which students might benefit from reinforcing classroom instruction with technology	Lee Sanchez Judy White, RtI Barbara McCallister, Counselor Eddie Boggess, Principal Classroom Teachers Technology Coordinators	October 2012	Computer STAAR EOC Data Student Grades Odysseyware Teacher Feedback	Collect data from three week grade reports; find which students to use in action research project. Look at STAAR EOC Data
Develop Deeper Understanding: Studying the data and looking for improvements in student’s course grades or STAAR EOC Scores.	Lee Sanchez Judy White, RtI Barbara McCallister, Counselor Eddie Boggess, Principal Classroom Teachers Students Technology Coordinators	October 2012		Meet with Site Supervisor and use his evaluation on how the project is going.
Engaging in Self-Reflection: Post reflection of action research project in my blog Check timelines and ensure that all data is up to date. Ensure that original goal is being pursued and that results are being recorded.	Lee Sanchez Eddie Boggess, Principal Technology Coordinators	Monthly – October 2012 – May 2013	Grade Reports STAAR EOC Scores Data Collected During Action Research.	Meet with site mentor and determine If project is meeting goals we set.
Exploring Pragmatic Patterns: Do students have problems outside the classroom that hurts them in the classroom?	Lee Sanchez Judy White, RtI Barbara McCallister, Counselor Eddie Boggess, Principal Technology Coordinators	Monthly – October 2012 – May 2013	Grade Reports STAAR EOC Scores Data Collected During Action Research.	Meet with counselor, RtI Lab and Principal to find out if students face problems outside of school that hurt their coursework.
Determining Direction: Meet with site supervisor, RtI lab, counselor, and teachers to see if any students need to be added or no longer need help from Odysseyware or Study Island Determine if Odysseyware has helped students enough to release them from study ( Passed STAAR EOC) Interview Students, Teachers to determine if using Odysseyware and Study Island helped them achieve their grades goals.	Lee Sanchez Judy White, RtI Barbara McCallister, Counselor Eddie Boggess, Principal Classroom Teachers Students Technology Coordinators	Monthly – October 2012 – May 2013	Grade Reports STAAR EOC Scores Data Collected During Action Research.	Meet with Site advisor, RtI, and counselor to share my findings on the use of Odysseyware and Study Island to reinforce classroom instruction.  Share reports of students who have taken the STAAR EOC re-test to determine if improvements were made by using Odysseyware and Study Island.
Taking Action for School Improvement: Propose using Odysseyware and Study island to reinforce classroom instruction for all struggling students as part of our tutorial program.  Present data to site supervisor every three weeks Survey teachers if they would be interested in using and study island as a tutorial program	Lee Sanchez Judy White, RtI Barbara McCallister, Counselor Eddie Boggess, Principal Classroom Teachers Technology Coordinators	Monthly – October 2012 – May 2013	Grade Reports STAAR EOC Scores Data Collected During Action Research.	Meet with Site advisor, RtI, and counselor to share my findings on the use of Odyesseyware and Study Island to reinforce classroom instruction.
Sustaining Improvement: Share the data that I have collected with those involved in the Action Research project.  Examine the date to determine if Odysseyware and Study Island actually reinforced classroom instruction and grades did improve because of it.	Lee Sanchez Judy White, RtI Barbara McCallister, Counselor Eddie Boggess, Principal Classroom Teachers Technology Coordinators	May 2013	Grade Reports STAAR EOC Scores Data Collected During Action Research.	Meet with Site advisor, RtI, and counselor to share my findings on the use of Odyesseyware and Study Island to reinforce classroom instruction.

EDLD 5301 - Week 2 Reflection

I though the week two lesson was very informative.  I learned a great deal about what action research really is.  I thought the three videos were very good in telling us what the steps are to conduct an effective action research project.  From finding the problem and where the problem comes from, to  analyzing the data and then putting your plan into action. This weeks assignment just helped me gain a little more understanding about what action research is. 

How an educational leader might use blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs in a variety of ways.  The first is to provide information to the public.  They can post announcements, upcoming school activities, cancellations, or just about anything that the administration believes the public should know.  They can also use blogs to gather information.  They can use it to find out what faculty, students, and the community want by posting poll questions and or asking for feedback on school decisions.  Educational leaders can use their blogs to gather information from other professionals by asking questions and requesting information, ideas, and recommendations from those who have dealt with the same issues or from outside experts with knowledge of the same issues.  A blog can be very important tool for an educational leader if used correctly. 

What is Action Research and how I would use it.

Action research is a valuable tool to help an individual or groups find solutions to problems that they are facing.  It allows them to use a systematic approach to (1) find the problem; (2) gather data that goes along with their specific problem; (3) analyze their data along with reading relevant literature; (4) make changes in practice based on the new understandings gained throughout the inquiry; And (5) share their findings with others and reflection. 

I would use action research to finds ways to solve problems within the district or for my own professional development.  I would survey the administration, faculty and staff to determine the perceived problems in our district or campus.  I would also use action research to help me personally in my classroom to help my students do better in the classroom by looking at data and clarifying what learning styles work best with my students.  I would then share that data with teachers who have those same kids and help them in their classroom.  Action research is also valuable for others with a shared vision to help in improving our district or campus.  We can collaborate and find ways to improve our curriculum to discipline and make our district better.