Week 5 Reflections

This course has provided me with relevant information to my current role as a teacher, and for my role as a future administrator. My greatest insight was the realization of the difference between traditional and action research. I still viewed research as the study of someone else’s work. Prior to the beginning of this course, I had mentally prepared myself to read enormous quantities of literature, summarize the literature read, and write a report on what I had learned. Because I was unaware of action research, this is what I truly expected to do in this course. I was ecstatic to learn that all of my hard work was actually going to benefit my campus. The action research plan is something that I will have the opportunity of implementing and learning from. In addition, the changes that will be brought forth due to my action research should be ones that will further develop the English language acquisition for our Spanish speaking students.

Although I am still a bit uneasy about the action research process (since this will be my first time to implement such a project), I am looking forward to it. The readings that this course required have helped me internalize what action research is and how it works. Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher (Dana, 2009) provided me with an in-depth description of the action research process, as well as examples of actual action research projects conducted by both teachers and administrators. Chapter 6 provided me with excellent questions to ask myself regarding the quality of my research. The exercises provided at the end of each chapter are ones that I plan to do at some point. This text is an excellent resource that will become part of my professional library.

Blogging is a neat way of collaborating with your peers. At first I was hesitant because blogging requires you to “put yourself out there;” nonetheless, I was able to learn quite a bit from viewing others’ action plans and comments. This type of activity allows you to see how others view action research, the steps required in the process, and the activities that are listed that you may have never thought of. It is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn to give and accept constructive criticism, and learn from your peers. In addition, it makes you keep up with technology and increases your overall learning opportunities.