Today

Week 5 Reflection

During this course, I learned about formulating, conducting and revising an action research plan.  This course also taught me the importance of utilizing blogs as a form of communication with my peers and creating a database for feedback.  I was able to formulate an action research plan by first evaluating the needs of our campus and creating a topic of interest that met those needs. By week two of this course I was able to clearly define my action research topic and discuss the idea with my site supervisor. In the third week of this course, I was able to document my research plan with a detailed chart listing the steps to be taken towards my action research. The last week’s assignment in this course was extremely helpful in identifying any possible conflicts that may arise in our research.  These steps included forming a driving source of change, looking toward future goals and getting “buy- in” from all involved participants.    It was so beneficial to me to learn about what it really means to be a school leader and creating a change.  The best part about action research is that it makes a lasting impact on a school where it is needed the most, and being part of making a difference is one of the most important aspects of being an administrator. Something that caught my interest in this course was the blogging opportunities.  I really liked using it as a source to communicate with other peers on coursework, and found it extremely simple and quick as a means for educational discussion.  I also liked having the week four assignment to be able to double check my plan, and consider any possible challenges. It really became helpful to have my action plan evaluated by my classmates and then to also get the approval of my supervisor and having steps in place to promote a force of change. One area that I would like to learn more about is how utilize my peers and colleagues more in the beginning stages of the research process. I tend to rely only on my personal research instead of getting input from other educators. I generally doubt the work of others and have a difficult time conducting research that requires input from co-workers.   I would like to be able to pitch my ideas successfully and work collaboratively better in discovering data and implementing a school wide consensus.  It makes it easier to get things accomplished when everyone is working together for one common goal. For the future application of this area I would like to educate myself more about activities that include other professionals and task that incorporate collaboration.  I would like to thoughtfully consider the opinions of others towards school improvement and use those ideas in my research process. Overall, this class taught me about the way to create change as an administrator or leader through action research.  I learned how to find the need on my campus and steps towards making a difference possible.

Addressing your Concerns/ Feedback

Here are the changes to my Action Research Plan, due to consideration of Peer Feedback

Concerns for getting survey forms returned:

 The solution: My principal said I was allowed to give “tardy passes” that admit students to class late if they return the form, however that was unnecessary because we are conducting the survey in the English classes here on campus, so no forms have to go home.

Concerns for getting parents registered:

The solution: “Technology Night” – Full dinner and door prizes! Parents will rotate in the labs, registering for our district twitter, facebook, parent- self serve and of course the newly created event link calendars alerts and also receive a crash course training in Microsoft Word/ Excel.  We may even try to bringing a local celebrity for photo opportunities.  I appreciated the idea of all combined web based registering for parents.  The kinks on this event still need to be ironed out but my principal seemed in full support. 

Concerns for timing/ scheduling:

The solution: On my campus things move very quickly and within minutes of showing this plan to my supervisor, I received a format for a technology survey to be passed out and collected during school.  I was also under the impression that we may adjust time as needed as long as the overall project is completed by the deadline. I generally get my homework done ahead of time, so allowing shorter time periods is not an issue. I have already also completed many of my pre-research and my principal asked “where do I sign up” and “how do I get this program started?” because she is ready to get this project on the move.  Being ahead of schedule is allotting me more time for other task that may come up along the research plan. 

Concerns for economically disadvantaged:

The solution: I am in no way trying to replace our current call out systems, web pages, or flyers, but our call out system doesn’t call for every single event happening on our campus each day and many people do not check the website frequently, nor is it updated, nor does it have a calendar of events, and many flyers end up in the trash.  This database notifies you of every event and is also beneficial because it allows parents to not only receive iPhone notifications, but they can have the option of receiving an e-mail or a basic text message. They can even log on to the main website to check events if their other form of communication is down. I think this survey will also give me an idea of the technology options available to our students and find the format most parents will choose to receive notifications. Plus, this is completely free of charge.

SCHOOL VISION: The mission of the Beaumont Independent School District, as the unifying force of the community, is to guarantee that our graduates possess the necessary skills, values and knowledge to compete successfully as productive citizens in a diverse global society through an educational system characterized by: • Full INVOLVEMENT of parents, teachers and the community GOAL: To notify parents of upcoming events, and increase communication and parent involvement through using free software designed to send reminders and alerts to email, cell phones, or smart phone notification “Event Link”. https://eventlink.com/public/index.php

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Discovering how much and what form of technology parents use at home	Survey current use of and access to technology for parents at home	research how to create a technology survey Pass out survey and collect back in every English class	Staff, Students, Librarian, Parent Involvement Committee, Administrator	1 week to create, pass out and calculate data	Review and document parents responses, evaluate the greatest form of technology at home
Discovering other school districts form of parent communication through technology.	Research other school districts smart phone applications and use of communication	Utilize the “app store” application on my smart phone to find other school districts, and Google other school websites	Myself, using my smart phone and the internet	2 days of refining search	Create a excel sheet with 10- 20 school district with what form of technology used and to what detail.
Discovering Cost of App Programming, and how to Program, what software is needed and if there is a more affordable form	Research cost and time for creating a new “app” for school or district or other possible forms of communication	Utilize the Google database to price software, and watch tutorial videos on how to create app	Myself, using my smart phone and the internet	3 days of refining search and watching tutorial videos	Deciding and discussing with administrator best form of technology for communication improvement
Using Event Link Program and start using on administrator phones	Create School database with calendar on Event Link website and download on administrators smart phones	Follow the steps listed on https://eventlink.com /public/index.php And using school calendar to input events	Administrator using registration and inputting calendar of events, and downloading app	2 days of utilizing administrator time for registering and inputting calendar of events	Registered school on Event Link and school events logged with administrator access
Discovering practical use and application of the new app, email and texting system	Create a focus group to try out new application	Notify teachers and PTA about the new system and have them try out and give feedback on their preference	Teachers and PTA members, friends, and family, administrators	2 weeks of getting focus group registered and using	Focus group has registered and received at least 2 notifications
A large response of parent interest and forms returned with RSVP	Create informative flyers for parents to attend a parent involvement “technology night”	Flyers for registration are sent home with students and returned to office	Students and Parents, Secretary help to pass out notifications to all teachers	1 ½ week to create, pass out, and begin arranging event, and have an expected head count	Flyers are passed out to 8th period teachers, sent home with students, and RSVP
Arrange a successful “technology night” to train parents and register for Event Link.	Host a “technology night” to train parents on how to use new software program, register on event link and train on other basic software	Door prize arranged, Catering arranged, creating a workspace for everyone, getting everyone to a computer or to a projector, Having an itinerary and Hand-outs with information for parents that night.	Any and all member in the community, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students, Administrators Food catering company, Computer Lab teachers and librarians, and any door prize donator	2 month planning period, 1 night event	A large turnout at a technology night, with food, software training, and parents are most importantly registered for Event Link
A large database of students and parents registered and receive updates on school events	Continually use and update Event Links database Follow-up with effectiveness of new tool	Event Link database	Faculty and staff, members throughout the community, parents, and students	Ongoing post action research	As new school year begins parents are notified to register to receive notifications and updates constantly using the calendar

Week 4 Check List

This week is mostly about what problems you foresee happening with your action research plan and using feedback from your colleagues, peers and site supervisor.
Week 4 Assignment-
Part 1- use pages 94- 96 from Harris textbook and summarize each strategy and how you will use them in your research

·       Force Field Analysis- In order for change to happen, the driving forces must be stronger than the resisting forces and you must first identify both groups then decide where your strengths lie and if implementation is possible.

·        Delphi Method- Used to sustain improvement and look towards future goals on the campus. (Then it list 10 suggested steps to follow in the textbook.)

·         Nominal Group Technique-This is a five step process that builds an overall consensus. (Then it list the 5 steps in the textbook.)

Part 2- use page 97 from Harris textbook and fill in CARE Model blanks about your Action Research plan. Give Concerns, Affirmations, Recommendations and Evaluations- 3 of each.
Part 3- Take your Blog feedback from your action research and summarize, also write if you have changed your plan at all and what modification you make to your research based on feedback.
Part 4- Meet with your site supervisor and get their approval for your project.  Write anything that they said as far as approval and suggestions to improve upon.

Discussion Board-
What specific challenges do you foresee in implementing your action research study?
How you plan to address those challenges?

(I suggest asking your supervisor these questions when you show them your action plan or taking feedback from your blog)

Blog- post Final Action Research Plan and document any new progress you are making in your research, especially feedback from peers and site supervisor.  Remember to Follow others from class and leave comments.
** If you would like for me to read and respond to your action research plan to complete homework part 3 of week 4, just post your blog address in the comment box and I will do my very to respond to your post!

Action Research Plan Draft- Week 3

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Discovering how much and what form of technology parents use at home	Survey current use of and access to technology for parents at home	Flyer sent home with students, research how to create a technology survey	Staff, Parent, Students, Computer Staff, Parent Involvement Committee, Administrator	1 week to create, pass out, and have students return to school	Review and document parents responses, evaluate the greatest form of technology at home
Discovering other school districts form of parent communication through technology.	Research other school districts smart phone applications and use of communication	Utilize the “app store” application on my smart phone to find other school districts, and Google other school websites	Myself, using my smart phone and the internet	2 days of refining search	Create a excel sheet with 10- 20 school district with what form of technology used and to what detail.
Discovering Cost of App Programming, and how to Program, what software is needed and if there is a more affordable form	Research cost and time for creating a new “app” for school or district or other possible forms of communication	Utilize the Google database to price software, and watch tutorial videos on how to create app	Myself, using my smart phone and the internet	3 days of refining search and watching tutorial videos	Deciding and discussing with administrator best form of technology for communication improvement
Using Event Link Program and start using on administrator phones	Create School database with calendar on Event Link website and download on administrators smart phones	Follow the steps listed on https://eventlink.com /public/index.php And using school calendar to input events	Administrator using registration and inputting calendar of events, and downloading app	2 days of utilizing administrator time for registering and inputting calendar of events	Registered school on Event Link and school events logged with administrator access
Discovering practical use and application of the new app, email and texting system	Create a focus group to try out new application	Notify teachers and PTA about the new system and have them try out and give feedback on their preference	Teachers and PTA members, friends, and family, administrators	2 weeks of getting focus group registered and using	Focus group has registered and received at least 2 notifications
A large response of parent interest and forms returned with RSVP	Create informative flyers for parents to attend a parent involvement “technology night”	Flyers for registration are sent home with students and returned to office	Students and Parents, Secretary help to pass out notifications to all teachers	1 ½ week to create, pass out, and begin arranging event, and have an expected head count	Flyers are passed out to 8th period teachers, sent home with students, and RSVP
Arrange a successful “technology night” to train parents and register for Event Link.	Host a “technology night” to train parents on how to use new software program, register on event link and train on other basic software	Door prize arranged, Catering arranged, creating a workspace for everyone, getting everyone to a computer or to a projector, Having an itinerary and Hand-outs with information for parents that night.	Any and all member in the community, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students, Administrators Food catering company, Computer Lab teachers and librarians, and any door prize donator	2 month planning period, 1 night event	A large turnout at a technology night, with food, software training, and parents are most importantly registered for Event Link
A large database of students and parents registered and receive updates on school events	Continually use and update Event Links database Follow-up with effectiveness of new tool	Event Link database	Faculty and staff, members throughout the community, parents, and students	Ongoing post action research	As new school year begins parents are notified to register to receive notifications and updates constantly using the calendar