I have learned that action research is a collaborative and “hands-on” approach to identifying and resolving issues facing organizations today. Action research requires us to move away from the previous held theories of utilizing outside information steeped in control and prediction and move toward using reflection and inquiry to answer the urgent concerns of our schools. Within action research, we also utilize stakeholders such as teachers, other administrators and sometimes parents and students to aid in facilitating a response to the identified topic. The advantages to this type of inquiry are that “practitioners play a part in the research process, which makes them more likely to facilitate change based on the knowledge they generate.” (Dana, 2009, p. 5)
What I discovered as I learned about action research is that I and my school are currently using several of the frameworks that action research fits into best. By engaging in this master’s program, I am learning about the advantages of action research and how to utilize this type of inquiry in my graduate work. As a member of my leadership team at my high school, we manage many of our school issues with collaboration and informal action research. This is a tool that we can improve upon as I continue to learn more about the components of action research. In addition, we use Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, to engage in collaborative inquiry, discussion and resolutions of curriculum and student concerns. As Dana states, PLCs “learn from practice.” (Dana, 2009, p. 21) PLCs are a great structured action research tool for dialogue and sharing of information. As I continue to learn and apply action research to my work, both as a student and teacher, I believe the inquiry and resolution of issues will have a lasting affect that other forms of research may not possess.
What I discovered as I learned about action research is that I and my school are currently using several of the frameworks that action research fits into best. By engaging in this master’s program, I am learning about the advantages of action research and how to utilize this type of inquiry in my graduate work. As a member of my leadership team at my high school, we manage many of our school issues with collaboration and informal action research. This is a tool that we can improve upon as I continue to learn more about the components of action research. In addition, we use Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, to engage in collaborative inquiry, discussion and resolutions of curriculum and student concerns. As Dana states, PLCs “learn from practice.” (Dana, 2009, p. 21) PLCs are a great structured action research tool for dialogue and sharing of information. As I continue to learn and apply action research to my work, both as a student and teacher, I believe the inquiry and resolution of issues will have a lasting affect that other forms of research may not possess.
Reference:
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
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