Action Research

I have learned that administrative inquiry or action research is a process that is designed for professional growth and is vital to improving student learning. The process is very involved and introspective. A principal or an educator deliberately engages in self-analysis on his or her administrative practices in order to gain a better perspective on their actions and choices utilized in their administrative capacity. Once specific issues have been identified the administrator will then seek out resources to help themselves better understand their issues or questions. Gathering data and other information about the principal’s “wonderings” is only part of the research process. The most important part is determining how they will take action in order to change based on the knowledge they have gained through active research. I think another very important step of action research process is sharing the findings with others in order to pass the benefit of research on to others who may have similar issues or questions about their own methods. I think that I will be able to use action research in a number of ways during my internship and throughout my career. I consider myself an effective educator, but I know that there are a lot of areas where I need improvement. Curriculum planning, encouraging collaborative learning and effectively integrating technology into the classroom are a few topics where active research would benefit me greatly. I look forward to learning more throughout this course so that I can more effectively improve myself as an educator and a leader.