Action research is a very promising educational tool. For many generations of teachers, we have always been told how to solve our school problems by people that have not been in the classroom in years. These people are referred to as outsiders, and are just telling us what to do. Many refer to these outsiders as using the “sit and get” method where teachers just sit down and get the information. Action research is more hands on and more what the school needs. An administrator, or teacher, knows what the problem is and takes action to getting it solved. A person partaking in action research must first have a wondering question. They must wonder why things are as they are. Once a wondering question is established, the person must begin to gather research to begin solving the question. After the research has been gathered, the person, along with others begins to implement the solution. Together they reflect on how the action research is going. It is during the reflection period that improvements can be made for the better. Action research helps everyone get involved in something that they can take ownership in. If all we do is take information and implement it into something we do not believe in, then we will never be successful. However, having something that we are working on together and have a say in, then we will believe in the plan and make it work. Overall, there are more people with a say and more believers in a program to make the school better.
Hi Garrett, thank you for your comment on my blog. It's interesing that you said you'd just been to a conference regarding playgrounds. I will definitely take into consideration all your suggestions and especially concentrate on the safety of our students.
ReplyDeleteI have read and re-read your idea for your "wondering" and having a TAKS prep class as part of the students schedule would be a good idea, if it is based on the previous years scores or a more recent benchmark. It would not be any different than the student having to choose a core class instead of an elective, if they had failed that core class previously. I know my son is having to take a "math lab" to help him try to make up some of his grades for his "core math" class. TAKS Lab...TAKS Prep...
potatoe...potatoe... It's a good idea. I look forward to reading your results and see how all your stakeholders bought into the idea.