Week 2 Update

I've learned a great deal this past week from both the inteviews and the Dana text. I feel much more comfortable with the concept of action research and how to effectively apply it in my position as an Educational Technology Trainer. The most difficult part of this week's assignment was selecting just one action research topic to pursue. I started with four proposals, all of which piqued passion in me.

1. Wi-Fi on buses – What effect does the installation of Wi-Fi on school buses have on student behavior problems?
2. ActivExpressions – In what ways does the immediate feedback provided by student-response systems such as ActivExpressions increase the effectiveness of classroom instruction? What impact do student-response systems have on student engagement and performance?
3. ActivJourney – How does the ActivJourney step training provide teachers with the required skills and confidence to independently and effectively integrate the new technology equipment in their classroom?
4. iPod Touches - How does the use of the iPod touch affect the performance of ELL students in the 5^th and 8^th grade sheltered science classes? Would it be beneficial to send the iPod touches home with the students?

Even though I must select just one for this class, I plan on conducting at least two or three of them during the course of my internship. My site supervisor has even agreed to fund a pilot of Wi-Fi on buses!

I'm excited that I've found so many passions to research. Now I just hope I can find the time to conduct the research!

Blogs in Education

Blogs can be used by educational leaders to keep stakeholders updated on news, events, implementations, projects, etc. and also solicit their feedback via comments. For example, the Assistant Superintendent of Technology in our district posts important technology updates to his blog at least a few times a week. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to ask questions and provide comments, which always receive a timely response.

MISD Tech Notes - http://misdtechnotes.wordpress.com/

Action Research in Education

During this first week of study, I have learned that action research is an engaging, interactive, continual, collaborative, and reflective process, and that it should be utilized as an instrument for both professional development and campus/district improvement. Unlike traditional research that requires the practitioner to take a backseat, administrative inquiry allows them to drive the research, taking a proactive rather than passive or reactive stance in addressing problems and issues on their campus. I’ve also learned that action research should be adaptable, continually modified by the practitioner to fit the situation as it changes or as new opportunities for growth arise.

Currently, as an Educational Technology Trainer, I could use action research to study the connection between the new technologies (projectors, interactive whiteboards, document cameras) recently implemented in the classrooms and student motivation, engagement in learning, and grades. It would be interesting to see what effect, if any, the technology has on teaching and learning. I also could use action research to examine the correlation between the quantity and quality of training teachers receive on the new equipment and their comfort level using the equipment. This could be measured through objective data such as time the equipment is used on a daily basis and subjective data such as teacher surveys.