My Action Research Plan

Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation
Our goals and objectives are very simple. We want to design a task/reward structure that is conducive to producing happy teachers that goes along with the model of love and mutual respect that is already implemented on the campus. Our ultimate objective is to provide teachers little extras that will put smiles on their faces and get them through an already hectic school year.

Activities designed to achieve the objectives
The most important activity in this venture was meeting with my administrators and setting up a plan of action. This was daunting because they are so busy all the time. We decided to meet up one day during the summer and churn out a plan of action. Secondly, I would have to do some research and try to narrow down what it meant to go above and beyond. Lastly, we would decide what the rewards would be for the system of implementation. This step will be a vital step in ensuring that the rewards fit a feasibility scale that we as administrators can agree on.

Resources and research tools needed for data gathering
The resources and research tools that I will be using will be basic. I will use the internet to do some research about teachers going above and beyond in their classrooms and their schools. This should enable me the ability to establish a broad definition of above and beyond to introduce to my administrators so that we can narrow down the list of possible task/reward options.

Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities
Our timeline will be simple. We will use the first half of the year to do our test trails and set up testing groups. It will be our responsibility to examine our results and to introduce our findings to our teachers. During the end of the year we would consolidate the groups and finalize the finishing product so that it is ready to implement on a full time basis the following year.
Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan
I, along with my administrators, will be in charge of implementing the action research plan. It will be my responsibility to get everything together and present it to them and gather feedback. From their feedback we will fine-tune my findings and make sure that all parties are in the loop about the project.

Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives
The administrators on campus will do the monitoring. There will be a set list of criteria to make sure that protocol is being followed. It will be up to the administrators to evaluate the process and tweak it on the go so that the research can go as smoothly as possible.

Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study
Our assessments will be two fold. First, the administrators and I will get together and assess the issues relating to the reward side of the equation. We decided to try to minimize cost by offering more incentive based rewards. Still, if we do decide to buy certain items we will have to evaluate how much budget monies will be available for the future implementation of the program. Also, because we will have two groups receiving different rewards we will sent out a survey that is either paper based or through a survey site such as survey monkey to help us determine what the teachers found to be the best and worst parts of the incentives program.

Week 2 Learning

Week two has taught me how administrators use action research. Dr. Briseno and Dr. Chargois give you an in depth introduction to what it takes to improve your campuses and your districts. The ability to make data driven decisions more quickly with action research seems like a priceless tool. In older times you would have to wait for the research then use the data presented to make findings and implement changes. Today, action research has allowed us to do campus based research so that quick decisions can be made so that our schools may benefit from the research in a faster manner.

How Administrators Can Use Blogs

Blogs can be used in a variety of ways. The most common way they can be used is by sharing ideas amongst each other. The ability to be able to see others ideas to solving problems is priceless. Sharing solutions to tough problems could save school districts and the federal government millions of dollars each year. Advanced tabs to certain issues in education could be included so that blogs could be easily navigated to find topics of interest for educators.

What i've learned about action research.

Action research is research with substance. When people hear the word research you usually get a negative feeling. Most people think of research as sitting in the library for hours finding several sources so that a paper can be done. I was happy to find out that action research does not entail this at all! Action research deals more with the day to day problems that administrators and teachers face on a day to day basis. Action research is seen as a very effective tool that gets results.
Administrators and teachers look at the current issues that are effecting the school and try to find solutions to those problems. Next, team members come together and try to find anything that will help them in implementing a plan to solve the issues at hand. Finally, team members go out and implement what they planned to do. Once the teachers and administrators are given time they will come together and share what they learned from the group. Meeting together allows members to share what worked in particular situations.