Reflections From EDLD 5301

When I started this course on January 18, 2012, I was a somewhat apprehensive. I thought that in this course I would be writing many research papers and be bogged down with researching different topics. To my pleasant surprise, this course was nothing of the sort. In the first week of this course, I quickly learned that it was about action research, which is research conducted by me, or someone in the school, that is put into practice to bring about a change and is focused inward. When I found out that I had to create an action research plan myself; I began thinking of what I could do to see a change at my campus. As part of my internship, my supervisor, the school principal, wanted me to create the computer lab curriculum for third, fourth, and fifth grade. I decided to use this as my action research plan. The computer lab instructor has told me that she has been having trouble with student behavior in the computer lab, so I decided to create an action research plan to discover whether or not a structured computer lab curriculum will improve student behavior. I did get my action research plan approved by my supervisor and am excited to start putting into practice.

From this class I have learned mostly from the assignments and activities. Each week the assignments gave me more information and more understanding about action research and how to create and implement my action research plan. I feel that this class has definitely given me new beneficial knowledge I can use anytime I need to see a change happen at my campus.

Another thing that really helped me in this course was the discussion board. As I read discussions from my peers and posted my own comments I learned that others seemed to be very interested in my action research plan. Apparently, my campus is not the only campus that does not have a computer lab curriculum. I also learned that some campuses are not as equipped with technology as my campus is. This truly made me thankful for what we do have, because I thought that we didn’t have much. From the discussion board I was able to see what others were working on and what they had challenges with, which helped me improve on my action research plan when I had similar challenges.

Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool (Harris et al. 2009) was another item that helped me in this course. This planning tool really made me reflect about my action research plan. This made me think deeper and gave me understanding of the things that would have to change at my campus, the things that would have to stay the same at my campus, the recommendations I needed, and the evaluations I needed to make my action research plan effective.

Finally, the thing that impacted me the most in this class was the use of my blog. As I posted on my blog, and received feedback from others, it really helped me to mold and shape my action research plan into something that I am excited to implement. I was able to use the comments from others to make changes in my action research plan. For instance, one of my peers pointed out that I had not labeled the roles of each person that would be helping in my action research plan. I also had a comment that I needed to specify the amount of time each activity should take. In addition, I had a comment that encouraged me that I was on the right track and that my action research plan will be successful. By reading the comments from my peers, I realized that I was not as specific as I needed to be. I was able to use these comments to rework certain parts of my action research plan so that it will flow, in hopes, seamlessly. I found learning from my peers very motivating and inspiring.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I feel that I am ready to implement my action research plan and am so excited to do so. When I was first presented with creating the computer lab curriculum by my supervisor, I did not think that it would be very exciting. Thanks to this course; the instructor, assistant, assignments, discussion board, CARE Model, and my blog, I now have the excitement and motivation I need to be successful in implementing my action research plan.

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.

April. (2012, February 14). Ameza's lights, camera, action-research [web log comment]. Retrieved from http://amezaslightscameraaction-research.blogspot.com/

Briseno, D. J. (n.d.). Principal, Rancho Isabella Elemenatary, Angleton ISD.

Chargois, D. T. (n.d.). Director of Research, Planning and Development, Beaumont ISD.

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

D Stelly. (2012, February 14). Ameza's lights, camera, action-research [web log comment]. Retrieved from http://amezaslightscameraaction-research.blogspot.com/

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2009). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 9 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, N.Y.: Eye on Education.

Martin, G. E., Wright, W. F., Danzig, A. B., Flanary, R. A., & Brown, F. (2005). School leader internship (2nd ed.). Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

Sonya. (2012, February 14). Ameza's lights, camera, action-research [web log comment]. Retrieved from http://amezaslightscameraaction-research.blogspot.com/

Agreed Upon Action Research Plan Topic

I met with my supervisor today, Mrs. Jordan. We agreed on the action research plan of creating the computer lab curriculum for third, fourth, and fifth grade that she had originally suggested. Using the comments from my supervisor and peers, I have made corrections to my draft action research plan and am eager to start implementing the new curriculum that I have been working on. Please feel free to make any suggestions or comments that you may have to help me make my action research plan process a successful event.

     Action Research Plan: Computer Lab Curriculum

Goal: Will a structured computer lab classroom curriculum, designed using the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), create an actively engaged and well-behaved group of students? *For the purpose of this action research plan, I will be using Mrs. Pedon's class of 4th grade students.* Action Step(s)  Person(s) Responsible  Timeline: Start/End  Needed Resources  Evaluation  Continue regular instruction in computer lab for the first 3 weeks. Alicia Meza: 4th Grade Teacher-Creating Curriculum Diane Rodgers: Computer Instructor Vickie Jordan: Principal  Feb. 13, 2012 – March 2, 2012 The class will meet twice a week. Once each Wednesday and once each Thursday. Each class will be 45 minutes in lengh. Computer Lab Computers Headphones Keyboard Mouse Internet  Look at lesson plans that computer teacher/assistant has planned for these 3 weeks Implement part 1 of new curriculum (Keyboarding TEKS 6E) Alicia Meza: 4th Grade Teacher-Creating Curriculum Diane Rodgers: Computer Instructor Vickie Jordan: Principal March 5 2012- March 9, 2012 Wednesday March 7: 45 minutes Thursday March 8: 45 minutes Computer Lab Computers Headphones Keyboard Mouse Internet freetypinggame.net Observe student performance. How are they working? How are they behaving? Implement part 2 of new curriculum (Use virtual house tours to explore different environments and issues TEKS 1C)  Alicia Meza: 4th Grade Teacher-Creating Curriculum Diane Rodgers: Computer Instructor Vickie Jordan: Principal March 19, 2012-March 23, 2012 Wednesday March 21: 45 minutes Thursday March 22: 45 minutes Computer Lab Computers Headphones Keyboard Mouse Internet Wfar.com Were students successful in using the virtual computer programs? Discuss with Diane Rodgers whether the students' behavior has improved or not.   Implement part 3 of new curriculum (Create a video to showcase our school TEKS 2A) Alicia Meza: 4th Grade Teacher-Creating Curriculum Diane Rodgers: Computer Instructor Vickie Jordan: Principal  March 26, 2012- March 30, 2012 Wednesday March 28: 45 minutes Thursday March 29: 45 minutes Computer Lab Computers Headphones Keyboard Mouse Internet Animoto.com Collaborate with Diane Rodgers on how students are doing. Note whether students are actively engaged and how they are behaving. Evaluate during the last week. Check conduct deduction. How has conduct/ behavior changed? Or has it not changed? Alicia Meza: 4th Grade Teacher-Creating Curriculum Diane Rodgers: Computer Instructor Vickie Jordan: Principal April 2, 2012 – April 6, 2012 Wednesday April 4: 5-10 minutes to check their conduct grades Thursday Apirl 5: 5-10 minutes to check their conduct grades Computer Lab Computers Headphones Keyboard Mouse Internet  Evaluate the students. How many conduct marks were given before the new curriculum and after the new curriculum is implemented.

Week 2 Reflection

In Week two of my EDLD 5301 class, I learned more in depth information about action research. I learned that there are endless amounts of topics for action research. The topics of discussion this week were Staff Development, Curriculum Development, Individual Teacher(s), Individual Student(s), School Culture/Community, Leadership, Management, School Performance, and Social Justice.  I have read about several different action research topics to use in these areas; and now have a better understanding of what action research is and how I can use it to benefit my campus.

 I also learned that as I work on my own action research project, I should find myself asking "will" questions, such as "Will the students benefit from a computer lab curriculum?" If I am asking these questions, then I am probably on the right track. It is my understanding that action research is research that happens within the school that makes a positive change.

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: the principal as action researhcer. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.

Elvis Arterbury Ph.D, P., & Steve Jenkins, E. A. (Directors). (2012). Week 2 Introduction [Video].