What I've learned About Action Research and How Leaders Might Use Blogs

One of the most effective things we can do as administrators and teachers is take the time to reflect critically on the things going on in our school and in our own classrooms. Action research enables us to do just that. Action research encourages school personnel to systematically develop a question, collect data, analyze the data, make necessary changes, and share the information with others (Dana p. 2). Action research allows teachers and administrators the time to collaborate with colleagues and pick each other’s brains, if you will, about concerns and issues that arise or changes that need to be made, so we can promote change and make better choices for the school. It allows us to openly communicate with grade levels so we can be horizontally and vertically aligned with each other. It puts teachers and administrators in learning situations where they are also engaged in the research. Action research allows you the time to easily gather and record data from your own classrooms or school and make changes based on your own research findings. This can improve a teacher’s confidence due to the evidence based teaching and can improve our teaching practices. Teachers need to feel empowered and action research gives us control over what is going on with our students and their overall performance in our own classroom.

Educational leaders can use blogs to post their ideas about a new program they want to implement. They can get professional opinions from other leaders, suggestions about different resources available, and get a deeper insight into similar programs already enforced in schools from the same demographics.