Sharing the Action Research Plan, Progress, Findings and Recommendations

Sharing the progress of my action research project will be presented in a variety of ways depending on the audience. My statistics and research findings will be quite informal when meeting with the Technology Director and my site supervisor. This will be communicated via email or formal conversations during meetings. I will share my blog with SBDM members, so that they may follow the progress of the project. When presenting formally to the superintendent  my findings will be represented in a formatted research presentation including statistics and data collected. When including teachers in on the progress of the plans proposed, this will be done via email and PLT meetings. This plan will never be final, because the findings and plans for ongoing professional development will ever be changing to conform to the variety of technology resources, settings, budgetary constraints and limitations on time frames.

Steps to Follow in an Action Research Plan

1.      SETTING THE FOUNDATION – Technology integration needs to be implemented in a more effective and simplistic way. Professional development must be at the forefront if the initiative is to take shape and ultimately be effective. 2.      ANALYZING DATA – Using a variety of literary reviews, research and the collection of our own surveys and assessments will provide a clearer picture of how to go about planning and implementing this project. 3.      DEVELOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING – Analyze the data from the teacher STaR Chart surveys, the technology use survey and a technology knowledge assessment. Organize all areas of need from greatest and most important, and then plan where the professional development should start. 4.      ENGAGING IN SELF REFLECTION – How will this action research ultimately be received by teachers? How will I receive the support and budget necessary to fulfill this project? What if teachers feel overwhelmed and express concerns about not wanting to complete this type of plan? Will I be able to address their concerns and persuade them to buy into my visionary plan? 5.      EXPOLORING PATTERNS – The need for a set plan with goals, assessments and support even after the time frame is vital to the implementation for the plan without abandoning it midway through. Often times new programs or initiatives are started without a long range plan in place to provide support to carry it through in order to create effectiveness. 6.      DETERMINING DIRECTION – The need to work closely with the stakeholders involved is critical in order for the plan to be implemented correctly.                   7.      TAKING ACTION - Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template Goal: To improve technology integration into the curriculum and provide adequate meaningful training for implementing technology in the classroom.          Action                 Person(s)            Timeline:            Needed       Step(s)               Responsible         Start/End         Resources         Evaluation 1. Assess teacher’s knowledge in the area of technology with a survey and assessment, plus data gathered from the STaR Chart survey. Alice Ramos-Technology Director Mayela Sanchez-Principal Elenor Maldonado-Technology Teacher SBDM Members Start November 2012/End May 2014 Survey maker. Assessment creator. Budgeting for professional development. Allocating funds for technology resources. May of 2013 May of 2014 2. Creating a professional development plan based on the survey/assessment based on the results in the area of greater need. Alice Ramos-Technology Director Mayela Sanchez-Principal Elenor Maldonado-Technology Teacher SBDM Members Start November 2012/End May 2014 Budgeting for professional development. Allocating funds for professional development. Software/server upgrades for resource storage and easy accessibility. May of 2013 May of 2014 3. Classroom/lab support in the implementation of the integration of technology resources. Alice Ramos-Technology Director Mayela Sanchez-Principal Elenor Maldonado-Technology Teacher SBDM Members Start November 2012/End May 2014 Proposal for a computer lab aid to assist with teacher’s use of campus computer lab and programs. Budgeting for a computer lab aid. Budgeting for the increase of campus bandwidth to accommodate the increase of technology equipment and various resources. May 2013 May 2014                8.      SUSTAINING IMPROVEMENT – The need for the development of a cohesive plan for technology integration is vital in today’s education. The effectiveness of this plan depends on the ongoing efforts of communication, collaboration and obtaining the necessary resources to ensure its legitimacy.

Developing an Action Research Plan

Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template Goal: To improve technology integration into the curriculum and provide adequate meaningful training for implementing technology in the classroom.          Action                 Person(s)            Timeline:            Needed       Step(s)               Responsible         Start/End         Resources         Evaluation 1. Assess teacher’s knowledge in the area of technology with a survey and assessment, plus data gathered from the STaR Chart survey. Alice Ramos-Technology Director Mayela Sanchez-Principal Elenor Maldonado-Technology Teacher SBDM Members Start November 2012/End May 2014 Survey maker. Assessment creator. Budgeting for professional development. Allocating funds for technology resources. May of 2013 May of 2014 2. Creating a professional development plan based on the survey/assessment based on the results in the area of greater need. Alice Ramos-Technology Director Mayela Sanchez-Principal Elenor Maldonado-Technology Teacher SBDM Members Start November 2012/End May 2014 Budgeting for professional development. Allocating funds for professional development. Software/server upgrades for resource storage and easy accessibility. May of 2013 May of 2014 3. Classroom/lab support in the implementation of the integration of technology resources. Alice Ramos-Technology Director Mayela Sanchez-Principal Elenor Maldonado-Technology Teacher SBDM Members Start November 2012/End May 2014 Proposal for a computer lab aid to assist with teacher’s use of campus computer lab and programs. Budgeting for a computer lab aid. Budgeting for the increase of campus bandwidth to accommodate the increase of technology equipment and various resources. May 2013 May 2014

Action Research Question

In what ways can the integration of technology impact student learning while correlating with our state’s standards and assessments? In order to integrate technology seamlessly, a professional development plan must be created in order to improve the teacher’s role in facilitating lessons. How can the professional development be implemented effectively to involve the whole campus and indefinitely change the way technology is used in the classroom?

Reflections from Week 2 EDLD 5301

In week two I have learned that in the Educational setting, action research is of utmost importance. Just by watching the interviews all professionals basically stated that data needs to be the center of any changes that need to occur in the classroom to impact student learning. The comment that really struck me was Dr. Chargois stating that the old saying of "If I just get through to just one student, then I have done my job" is simply not enough in education these days. We have to impact all students!

Action Research Findings and Implementation

Action Research: What I have learned and how I can use it:

Action research projects are very useful in the educational setting in particular. This is an inquiry into a wondering, analyzing the inquiry and then implementing change based on what was learned throughout the research. My plan is to use the action research project as a means to research the area of technology integration into the curriculum and providing training for teachers. There is a myriad of technological resources out there for teachers and students to use in the classroom. However, there rarely seems to be a set curriculum that integrates web 2.0 tools, videos, pictures, and other applications directly into each lesson. These days it is so hard to find the time to learn a particular curriculum with the standards plus search around for the proper technology tool or resource to assist with the facilitation of the lesson. Training is also crucial in the learning of all types of resources and implementing them properly in order to assist the teacher, not overwhelm them. New training options need to be explored for teachers and other professionals within the district in order to be successful in the classroom. If there can be a centralized program where you can input the lesson, then technology resources could be matched with the lesson in order to reduce time and preparation for the teachers. My focus will also be to create more online technology videos for teachers on learning certain programs to reduce time spent in trying to put together face to face staff development. Teachers have less and less time to spend in meetings, so making it flexible for them to complete courses for learning on their time would be more convenient.

How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs:

There are many ways to use blogs in an educational setting, but one that stands out the most is communication. Often times administrators receive and send out so many emails in just one day. Teachers are usually too busy to check email often throughout the day and may miss certain announcements that are urgent. Then everyone is confused and asking one another about what is going on or when is something due, and there could be a lot of miss communication. A campus leader could set aside a part of the day that is required of teachers to log in and participate in a blog. This way all teachers see what others are writing and communicating about and nothing will be missed. Important information can be posted and simply just asking how everyone if doing. Words of encouragement would really go a long way to improve moral as well. Often times there just aren't enough hours in the day to go by and speak to each and every one of your teachers just to see how things are going, and staff meetings have too much packed into them to have these types of conversation. I am going to make a recommendation to my principal to start blogging with our teachers.