Action Research Considerations Week Two

As an instructional leader who hopes to create a strong school culture where everyone is focused on one goal- student achievement, there are important considerations. Before action research can be effective, teachers and other stakeholders who may be involved in the research must be taught to critically analyze data and research. They must be aware of qualitative and quantitative research techniques and continually keep the focus of their research project.

It seems to me that the professional development of how to begin initiate and hold effective learning communities would be advantageous, too. These action research communities then would become support and mentoring opportunities for teacher leaders to test the practicality of the research they find in solving whatever issue they need to solve to improve student achievement.

It is also important to make sure that everyone respects confidentiality and follows district policy when permission is needed for testing, and that all data is kept secure.

Taking the time to help build this foundation could help move a school toward the collaboration and problem solving, action team that is needed in today's high stakes environment.

Blogging As An Effective Tool of Educational Leaders

Though schools are using technology more, the use of blogs is probably an underused tool by administrators and teachers. However, the use of blogs can be of great value in the educational world, especially of the educational leader.

Blogs can be used by the educational leader as a journal or reflection of their experiences or questions and even their solutions. It serves as a reminder over time of what they have done and tried while giving opportunity for others around the world to comment, offer solutions, ideas or other concerns as well. In other words, the opportunity for collaboration is great. Blogs could also serve a leader as sources of data or links to other references as well. Blogs help to collaborate with others, build a support group that can be accessed at any time most advantageous for the leader.

Hopefully, blogs will be utilized more by those in education due to courses like this one that help make us comfortable with their use. It has been said that it is lonely at the top. With the use of technology such as blogs, this does not have to be true.