Action Research-What I've Learned

Learning is so much fun! I believe that I am a lifelong learner. I feel that I learn something new every day, which I found to be true as I read about action research. This is something new that I am learning about. I had never heard of this term before this course. I now know that action research is the process that a principal uses to engage in orderly, deliberate study of his/her own administrative practice. Principals gain new understanding by posing questions, collecting and analyzing data, and reading literature. Then after studying and gaining new understanding, he or she takes action for change based on what he/she finds from their inquiry. As he/she implements the new changes in their practice, he/she will better their administrative practice.

I have learned that action research is different from traditional educational research because it focuses on the "concerns of the practitioner, not on outside researchers" (Dana 2009). Everything in action research is based on what is going on inside the school and how it can be fixed.

From what I have read, I have discovered that action research, if conducted properly, will bring about a change for the good. The purpose is to gain new insight and make changes that will help, not hinder the educational process.

I hope to gain more insight and understand more about action research as I continue this course.

Alford, B., Ballenger, J., Austin, S. F., Calhoun, E. F., Conti, G. J., Cross, K. P.,...Schmuck, R.A. (2007). Action research an effective instructional leadership skill for future public school leaders. Journal of Scholarship & Practice, 27-37.

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge:The principal as action researcher.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2009). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, N. Y.: Eye on Education.