Reflection-----Value of Web Conferences

I have been able to attend two web conferences thus far in my School Community Relations course. I attended the initial web conference on 2/27 and I attended another on 3/10. I have really enjoyed the web conferences, I must admit. At first, I was a little skeptical about the whole process and in a way turned off because of the difficult time I had in my first course when trying to attend these web conferences. In my second course, Research, I attended four or five of the weekly web conferences and found them to be such an invigorating experience. I almost always found that any questions I had pertaining to the weekly assignments, other students had as well, and they were always answered and a thorough explanation was provided to ensure my understanding. I enjoyed meeting new people and having the opportunity to see my professor in the flesh----even though it was via web cam. As for the web conferences for this class, School Community Relations, I have found them to be very resourceful and worth the time. I appreciate Dr. Abernathy taking time out of her busy schedule to meet with us and to answer our many questions. I also appreciate the wealth of knowledge available from other students who always seem so willing to help. The web conferences have helped me tremendously and I look forward to utilizing them in the future with my other coursework.

Week 4 Update---Action Research Plan

Please take a look at my action research plan and make any comments that would help me along the way with my research. Thanks so much!!

I have decided along with my site supervisor, to research the effect extended classroom instructional time for English/Language Arts and math has on overall student performance.  I plan to look at 7th grade ELA and math students this year and from years in the past when we had a modified block schedule. I am curious to see if extended instructional time in these classes really does enhance student learning. This is the first year my campus has gone to the 7-period 55 minute schedule and in my opinion, it has really taken a toll on student learning and student performance. I personally feel like I am just getting started and ready to go, when it is time to pack up and send them on their way. Needless to say, this year has been very frustrating in trying to adjust. I am open to any and all suggestions on how to better utilize the 55 minutes I have been given.

(please see my action research plan below)

Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: Does extended classroom instructional time in English/Language Arts and math result in overall improved student performance?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Setting the Foundation Meet with my site supervisor to discuss possible research topics	Self Site Supervisor	Start: January 28, 2012 End: February 7, 2012	Proposed Action Research Topics: **Block schedule vs. 55 minute 7-period class **RtI Interventions & Processes **Resource Classroom vs. Co-teach model	Develop, Review, Revise, and Finalize/ Approve Action Research Plan
2. Analyzing Data Research various block schedules & how they work in other school districts Gather data----- 2010-2011: 7th grade six weeks scores for math & ELA, semester 1 grades, common assessment scores, math and ELA benchmark scores, iStation BME scores, TAKS scores for math & ELA 2011-2012: 7th grade six weeks math & ELA  scores, semester 1 grades, common assessment scores, math and ELA benchmark scores, iStation BME scores	Self Registrar- for grades Counselors- for TAKS scores	Start: February 2012 End: May 2012	Internet, Lamar Library, Blogs Grades, iStation reports, benchmark data from DMAC, TAKS ’10-’11 scores from counselors, student cumm. Files-possibly	Organize and compile data to begin research process Break data down to compare 2010-2011 schedule with 2011-2012 current schedule. Write reflection from data comparisons thus far.
3. Developing Deeper Understanding Interview 7th ELA and math teachers as well as other core teachers	Self Math & ELA teachers (Other interested teachers)	Start: May 2012 End: May 2012	Interview questions relating to the adjustment from 90 mins. To 55 mins.	Review interviews, formulate new questions from interviews (if applicable) Write reflection from interviews and list possible solutions to current schedule issues.
4. Engage in Self-Reflection Begin to ask reflective questions pertaining to research plan	Self	Start: May 2012 ***Continue throughout the research process	Develop reflective questions in regards to research (see example questions from cell phone example)	Reflection Journal & Blog
5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns Discussion with site supervisor & other teachers involved- patterns observed from data, pros and cons of solutions, skills and resources essential to the success of this research project Pros & Cons of Block vs. 7-period day	Self Site supervisor Math & ELA teachers as well as other involved teachers	May 2012  into Summer 2012 and continue throughout the research process as concerns arise	Develop a more definite solution to the research question based on discussion data obtained from site supervisor and teachers	Write reflection showing the pros and cons conducted during interviews and discussion Create chart to show patterns observed from data collected
6. Determining Direction Begin action research	Self	Summer 2012	Reference 7 questions from cell phone example: 1. Are you clear on what you are attempting to solve? 2. Have you adequately addressed the skills and resources questions? 3. Have you established a collaborative approach to the issue? 4. Are your time lines realistic? 5. Do you have a reasonable plan to monitor the project? 6. Do you have a reasonable plan for determining the level of success-how do you evaluate if the plan is effective? 7. How will you revise and improve the plan based on monitoring and evaluation?	Review answers to the 7 questions and continue to reflect on these questions throughout the research process Journal and blog
7. Taking Action for School Improvement Develop written plan of action	Self **Possibly a committee to assist with project----mostly teachers	Start: August 2012 End: January 2013/February 2013	Chapter 7 Tool from resource section (template)	Written plan of action: formative evaluation & summative evaluation
8. Sustain Improvement Share results from research and report findings with site supervisor and ELA & math teachers	Self Site supervisor 7th grade ELA & math teachers	March 2013	Action research project findings Feedback form/ questionnaire	Completed action research paper to share with site supervisor and teachers to discuss findings Also share with online colleagues (blog) Obtain feedback/ reflections from site supervisor and teachers

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Week 2 & Action Research~

This week in my studies, I learned much more about action research. I will admit, after week 1, I still was quite unsure what this whole process of action research involved. I now realize that action research is actually quite a common type of research used throughout many school districts. The week 2 lectures, interviews, and readings have helped my grasp a better understanding of what action research is and how action research is used. This week, I have been able to narrow my search for research topics down even more. I am pretty sure I have decided upon my research plan, however, I have arranged one more meeting with my site supervisor in order to talk things through one more time and finalize my action research plan. My hope is to research the effects the transition from the block schedule of 90 minutes to the 7-period day of 55 minutes has had on 7th grade ELA and math students as well as teachers. I know this has been an extremely difficult transition for the teachers, but I am curious to see how this is actually affecting student learning and performance. I am very eager to begin this process and to discover the findings and hopefully come about ways to help teachers and students with this difficult transition.

What is Action Research?

Action research is the process in which a principal or other administrator seeks a change in a current practice on the campus or within a classroom. They collect data in order to gain new insights into their curiosities. The principal analyzes the data and other findings, including relevant literature and other texts relating to the issue at hand. Then this results in a change in practice based on the research findings and developments. Finally the principal shares the research findings with others on the campus. It is important to continue monitoring progress once the research has been completed to ensure success within the school. This method of research can prove to be extremely effective for learning and school improvement.

 I have learned that action research can be a great tool not only for principals and other administrators, but also for individual teachers as well. Teachers can use this tool in order to monitor their growth as professionals. Even though action research is quite different from traditional educational research, I am looking forward to using this process. I like the fact that the individual is able to identify the area of concern and seek data from a variety of resources, including other teachers and colleagues in order to go about making a change in the current practice. I also like that action research is not a type of research that is conducted and then put on the shelf. It is a continuous and on-going model that when used effectively can become a powerful tool for professional development.

How to Use Blogs Within the Classroom

There are many ways to use blogs in an educational setting. Some examples of how these blogs may be used include:

*A way to integrate technology into the classroom

* Book studies

* Online student journals

* As a way to encourage discussions to continue beyond the walls of the classroom

*In order to develop student writing and participation

* Means of communication with parents

*Allowing parents to view child's work and progress

* In order to develop collaboration and team building