During the course of Research for Teachers (EDLD5301) I have been challenged to learn things that were very new to me, such as completing an Action Research Plan. This was a challenge because I have always been on the other end of research and implementation of new educational tools. I have been the one that has been asked the questions or used to see how a new program or curriculum would work but I have never been on the end of actually trying to research and implement something especially of this magnitude.
There are a lot of things to consider and be aware of when completing research it is not something that you can take lightly or put on the back burner and work on for a short time. In order to get great results you will have to work on it a little each day constantly doing research on the web, talking to people and looking for ways to make your research better. Great research with a completed plan that will give people a clear understanding on what brought you to do the research in the first place, what works and what doesn't work, and also including personal experiences that will help understand why your plan needs to be reviewed and implemented in every aspect of education.
I thank all of my colleagues along with Dr. Abshire for all their help in forming an effective action research plan. During this time we as a group have tried to help each other the best we could and along the way we have actually been a help to someone. I wish everyone great success during their research.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
8 Steps From Analysis to Action
This week has been very interesting to say the least, I spent the better part of the week rethinking and changing my mind on what I actually wanted to research. Once I made up my mind I spent the rest of the week trying to narrow the list down within that category. I am still a little uneasy about what I have decided to do but I am glad I was told it isn't set in stone I can still change my mind.
For me this is like shopping and when you go to purchase something you know when you have made the correct choice, it's like the item spoke to you. Well this topic hasn't spoken to me yet so that's why I am a little weary about tackling it. The readings for this week were very informative perhaps a little bit too informative because I was very sure of myself before I started reading. Well wish me luck and I wish all of you the same.
For me this is like shopping and when you go to purchase something you know when you have made the correct choice, it's like the item spoke to you. Well this topic hasn't spoken to me yet so that's why I am a little weary about tackling it. The readings for this week were very informative perhaps a little bit too informative because I was very sure of myself before I started reading. Well wish me luck and I wish all of you the same.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Reflections wk. II EDLD 5301
This week was a week of thinking and evaluation, after reading chapter 2 it caused me re-evaluate what I wanted to do for my action research. It was a lot harder thinking of topics to place in part 2 of the assignment choosing topics for the 9 common action research topics. I got a better understanding during the web conference concerning what I am supposed to be concentrating on. I am headed in the right direction but I was told to narrow my search because the direction I was going I was making more work for myself. Now all I need to do is choose what I want to research with in my topic, this week really helped with clearing up some of the confusion for me.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Action Research
While reading about action research I have concluded that it is a cycle of posing questions, gathering information, reflection, and deciding on a course of action. The purpose is to work to improve the quality of an organization and its performance. When there’s a problem, difficult questions need to be asked and the problem should demand action. Action research can be completed by a team of colleagues or by an individual.
A good problem resists structure, and leads to surprises. Action research requires change and the only way to make that change is to look at the problem in a different context, and from a different perspective. By looking at the larger picture we can make comparisons and apply the problem to different groups of people to gauge the outcomes from each group. Action research allows for researchers to have control over the progress, collect data, and share periodic reports, this allows the researcher to be in control of how and when the plan will be implemented. Then there is the reflection; looking back on the action after the data is collected it is during this time you assess if the new approaches are effective, give feedback with other members of the team and decides which approaches will be included in the team’s organizations.
A good problem resists structure, and leads to surprises. Action research requires change and the only way to make that change is to look at the problem in a different context, and from a different perspective. By looking at the larger picture we can make comparisons and apply the problem to different groups of people to gauge the outcomes from each group. Action research allows for researchers to have control over the progress, collect data, and share periodic reports, this allows the researcher to be in control of how and when the plan will be implemented. Then there is the reflection; looking back on the action after the data is collected it is during this time you assess if the new approaches are effective, give feedback with other members of the team and decides which approaches will be included in the team’s organizations.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Educational Leaders Use of Blogs
Educational leaders can use blogging as a means of sharing news, inspiration and keeping educators informed of the latest technology. Blogging will also give educators a chance to share concerns and issues they maybe having concerning student involvement and ideas that will help others be successful in the classroom. Educational leaders can also encourage educators to share lesson plans as well as teaching strategies.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Course Reflections
1. What outcomes had you envisioned for this course? Did you achieve those outcomes? Did the actual course outcomes align with those that you envisioned?
I envisioned learning what it means to utilize technology to enhance the level of education to allow students to learn in every capable way they can. Also how to implement technology in ways that people haven’t envisioned it being used and what I learned far exceeded my expectations. In reading Teaching Kids with Tools They Really Use I learned about was to implement certain technology tools that I hadn’t envisioned using them. The outcomes of this course for me were exceptional in the fact that through research and reading I was allowed to view technology in a different light. The course really broke down the different concepts of technology by teaching me how to use wiki and blogs, without this course I really don’t think I would have every set up either of these networks. I have a new found respect for technology and the possibilities it will bring in reaching out to educate students.
2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?
Every aspect of this course fell in line with my vision of the course. I most definitely use technology in my classroom and this course just increases my knowledge of technology at ways it can be used effectively. With a group of three year olds it can be challenging finding things to keep them interested in learning. I use YouTube to its fullest by finding educational videos such as the Hip Hop Alphabet and other educational sources. This course showed me the importance of stepping up what is currently being done in order to reach the 21st Century goal, we allow students to utilize computers with educational programs but would limit them because of their age and what I really learned is that they are never too young to start pushing them to learn all they can about technology. There are certain skills they can learn with the right tools; giving them the opportunity to problem solve and explore opens the door up for questions that will lead them further into what technology has to offer.
3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
The Key components of the Texas Long Range Plan is an outcome I wish I would have learned more about, I am familiar with it and know what it was developed for but if I was asked to explain the plan with someone I couldn’t do it and feel confident in doing it. This outcome was not met by my standards because I didn’t get a chance to spend as much time as I would have liked learning it due to the demands of the course. This is one component of the class that I will spend some free time reading and learning so well that I would be able to explain every aspect of the plan. The assignments were very challenging but I managed to complete each assignment in a timely manner. There were a lot of things within the class that I have heard of but had never utilized, I am glad that this class challenged me and made me step out of my comfort zone to explore the possibilities of technology.
4. Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
I feel that I was successful in carrying out the course assignments but at times while working on the assignments I felt like I was either missing something or not understanding something and this was very frustrating. This class was really a challenge I had to commit to working on some part of the assignment on a nightly basis or I wouldn’t have made it. The most challenging part of the class for me was working on the internship plan, in working with children I am required to come up with activities to go along with themes in the class but in sitting down and trying to come up with activities that parallel with the standards I drew a blank and really had to use my site mentor just to talk things over with and that was a great big help. I am dedicated to giving my all in being successful in this course and others, if not I have no one else to blame but myself.
5. What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
I learned that technology use far exceeds what we use it for in our daily lives. Technology is the future and we must embrace everything about technology if no we will get left behind. Educators can’t just depend on the average tools to teach they have to move forward with all advancement. About myself, I learned that I am not a quitter, even though I wanted to throw in the towel and give up, my inner voice kept telling me not to give up because what I am doing know will pay off in the future. My technology and leadership skills are good but I learned that they need improvement especially where technology is concerned. I need to learn all I can about the current uses of technology and build from there. My attitude about technology and its use has always been positive; I enjoy learning about and using new technology in the classroom.
I envisioned learning what it means to utilize technology to enhance the level of education to allow students to learn in every capable way they can. Also how to implement technology in ways that people haven’t envisioned it being used and what I learned far exceeded my expectations. In reading Teaching Kids with Tools They Really Use I learned about was to implement certain technology tools that I hadn’t envisioned using them. The outcomes of this course for me were exceptional in the fact that through research and reading I was allowed to view technology in a different light. The course really broke down the different concepts of technology by teaching me how to use wiki and blogs, without this course I really don’t think I would have every set up either of these networks. I have a new found respect for technology and the possibilities it will bring in reaching out to educate students.
2. To the extent that you achieved the outcomes, are they still relevant to the work that you do in your school? Why or why not?
Every aspect of this course fell in line with my vision of the course. I most definitely use technology in my classroom and this course just increases my knowledge of technology at ways it can be used effectively. With a group of three year olds it can be challenging finding things to keep them interested in learning. I use YouTube to its fullest by finding educational videos such as the Hip Hop Alphabet and other educational sources. This course showed me the importance of stepping up what is currently being done in order to reach the 21st Century goal, we allow students to utilize computers with educational programs but would limit them because of their age and what I really learned is that they are never too young to start pushing them to learn all they can about technology. There are certain skills they can learn with the right tools; giving them the opportunity to problem solve and explore opens the door up for questions that will lead them further into what technology has to offer.
3. What outcomes did you not achieve? What prevented you from achieving them?
The Key components of the Texas Long Range Plan is an outcome I wish I would have learned more about, I am familiar with it and know what it was developed for but if I was asked to explain the plan with someone I couldn’t do it and feel confident in doing it. This outcome was not met by my standards because I didn’t get a chance to spend as much time as I would have liked learning it due to the demands of the course. This is one component of the class that I will spend some free time reading and learning so well that I would be able to explain every aspect of the plan. The assignments were very challenging but I managed to complete each assignment in a timely manner. There were a lot of things within the class that I have heard of but had never utilized, I am glad that this class challenged me and made me step out of my comfort zone to explore the possibilities of technology.
4. Were you successful in carrying out the course assignments? If not, what prevented or discouraged you?
I feel that I was successful in carrying out the course assignments but at times while working on the assignments I felt like I was either missing something or not understanding something and this was very frustrating. This class was really a challenge I had to commit to working on some part of the assignment on a nightly basis or I wouldn’t have made it. The most challenging part of the class for me was working on the internship plan, in working with children I am required to come up with activities to go along with themes in the class but in sitting down and trying to come up with activities that parallel with the standards I drew a blank and really had to use my site mentor just to talk things over with and that was a great big help. I am dedicated to giving my all in being successful in this course and others, if not I have no one else to blame but myself.
5. What did you learn from this course…about yourself, your technology and leadership skills, and your attitudes?
I learned that technology use far exceeds what we use it for in our daily lives. Technology is the future and we must embrace everything about technology if no we will get left behind. Educators can’t just depend on the average tools to teach they have to move forward with all advancement. About myself, I learned that I am not a quitter, even though I wanted to throw in the towel and give up, my inner voice kept telling me not to give up because what I am doing know will pay off in the future. My technology and leadership skills are good but I learned that they need improvement especially where technology is concerned. I need to learn all I can about the current uses of technology and build from there. My attitude about technology and its use has always been positive; I enjoy learning about and using new technology in the classroom.
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