Reflection of EDLD 5301

      Action research was something new to me at the beginning of this course, thus there were several highlights for me along this 5 week course.  Being an online class I had to have a strong discipline to do all the desired work in a timely manner.  I did not have any classmates to go to the library with or a professor I could personally talk to, thus completing the assignments were key. There were highlights in the lectures, readings, assignments, discussion board, and blogs.

      Lectures were a highlight for me because they helped me have a firm understanding of what was expected of me throughout the week.  Also, throughout the lectures several questions about the assignments and trouble shooting the assignments were key.  Although at times I did not want to watch the lectures or felt like it was five minutes I could spend on something else I always forced myself to start each week by starting the lectures.  Thus, lectures were the start of my week and helped me decide how to break up my week and if I needed to schedule any interviews.

        Readings were the heart of this class.  In all classes the content is the key to be successful in the course and beyond. The readings led me to have a firm grasp and understanding about what an action research plan truly is.  Also, the readings aided me in creating my plan step by step. Throughout my readings what caught my attention the most was in the Harris text when it discussed the strategies for sustaining improvement were very useful and something I have not learned about previously as this is only my second year teaching I have not thought a lot about how to improve my school, but rather how to improve my classroom.  My favorite method and the one I feel I would use the most is the Delphi Method.  I think this is a great way to get quick and easy feedback.  It also does it good job of showing the participants the other side to the issue to ultimately sway their opinion.  Ultimately, I feel that the readings were extremely valuable to my learning throughout this course.

       The assignments throughout this course were valuable in the since it made me put the content/ readings together and have a deeper meaning.  It forced me to truly analyze the text in a deeper way.  The action research project alone forced me to push myself to find the best research project for me and my school that I am truly passionate about.  My goal is to make a difference for my students and improve their learning to the highest levels it can be.  I am very anxious and excited to see what this next year will bring and what my findings will show.

        Lastly, I feel the most valuable piece of this course has been the interactions between the discussion boards and blogs.  I have enjoyed reading and learning about my fellow classmates action research plans.  I feel that I have built a solid relationship with a good amount of my classmates just by commenting back and forth.  I have felt that I have been a value to my many of them by commenting on their blog and giving them feedback just as they have helped me tremendously with mine.  It is amazing how much I have learned from my classmates who I have not meant in person.  Their knowledge shines through with their comments and has been greatly appreciated.  I look forward to seeing what they all learn and are able to find through their action research plans as well.  This course has been a valuable course and I feel it was well worth my time and money. 

Action Research Plan

I did not make any changes to my action research plan due to the positive feedback I have received.  I also met with my site supervisor who is the head of the math department in my school district and he as well thought it was very well thought out and obtainable for me to research.  Let the fun begin with researching digits and analyzing the data  of my students!  I feel very confident and excited for this next year ahead.  I have a great support team around me at school who will be assisting me with my research.

Action Research Plan

What I have learned this week!

This week I have learned the importance of making your action research plan focused.  It is key to make sure your plan has a specific focus and is not broad.  This will not only make your research manageable, but it will make it more accurate.  I also, feel very lucky to have so many resources to help get me through this class including; our readings in our textbooks, our videos each week, the web conferences, and lastly everyones blog.  It has been very helpful!

Action Research Plan Ideas

Action Research Plan: Is the new math curriculum, digits, effective in terms of student achievement, will more students improve their test scores this year than in previous years because of it?  My school has recently adopted the math curriculum called digits, this year will be our first year implementing the program.  It is an online textbooks and has a plethora of resources for students and parents to use at home.  The question is are they going to?  With digits the purpose is for students to think on their own, no longer will I be standing in front of them showing them equations to solve.  Instead they will be working based on inquiry and figuring out how to come up with an equation on their own.  There is more than one way to solve a problem and that is what digits is all about.   I will keep track of their test scores and their improvement throughout the year as well as looking at their PASS test scores from last year to this year to keep track of the growth.  

Teachers will benefit from my action research plan to know if they should use digits as it is said to in the manual, which is very scripted, or if we should use it as more of a resource as we have done in the past with our text books based on dull and incompetent lessons.

Students will also benefit, they will become more accountable for their learning.  They will be using problem solving skills every day to discover different ways to solve problems while I will be more of a facilitator. When students are struggling to the point of frustration is when I will step in and give them hints and clues.

The following are other topics I have thought about researching:

 1.       What effect does an inclusion environment have on math achievement of 8^th graders at Banks Trail Middle School?

2.       Can a Mentor Program improve students test scores and outlook on school? 

3.       How can we make students more accountable?