5301 CARE Model : Planning Tool

Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, Julie Combs

Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)

(1 is the most important.)

1. The teachers’ practical knowledge of technology tools

2. The teachers’ attitude toward using technology in their lesson plans

3. The school wide integration of technology into the campus curricula

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)

(1 is the most important)

1. Excellent teaching practices

2. The desire to provide the best possible education for our students

3. Staff’s confidence in the campus administration

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:

(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)

(1 is the most important)

1. Determine teachers’’ knowledge of technology tools available using a survey specifically designed for this task

2. Ascertain teacher’s feelings and subjective barriers to using technology in the classroom via class observations and focus group interviews

3. Report technology problems within the context of the campus’s ability and resources to solve with the help from administration and the LMS

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often

(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)

1. Sharing results – communicating with all the stakeholders

2. Collate a comparison and combination of qualitative and quantitative data

3. Ask the questions “What should we keep on doing?” and “What should we change?”  (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010, p.89)

5301 thoughts...

The purpose of working in an action research group is "having their colleagues ask them hard, challenging, critical, intellectual questions that push them to think" (School Improvement Network, 2010).

School Improvement Network. (Producer). (2010). Working in the action research group. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.pd360.com/pd360.cfm?ContentId=1093

5301 Week 3 Reflection

Putting my wondering into a structured plan was thought provoking. Although it is important to ascertain the staff readiness to implement more technology into the curriculum, I must be conscious of the staff's perceptions of the study. I am concerned that some of the teachers will think that I am "grading" them. One of the APs has suggested that I request the help of any that may oppose or reject the inquiry, Instead, divert their concern to one as contributor.
As I consider my action research topic, I wonder it will bring about any type of improvement during the study. I think not. Is that okay? It is establishing the groundwork for future inquiry and improvement.

5301 Action Research Plan

View my Action Research

5301 The Passions That Drive Your Journey (Dana, 2009)

Through this week’s exercises, I have learned to identify opportunities to employ active research and the skills needed to implement the plan. The opportunities present themselves in a range of areas of passion described by Dana (2009):

1. Staff development
2. Curriculum development
3. Individual teacher(s)
4. Individual student(s)
5. School culture/community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School performance
9. Social justice (p. 30)

 The development and growth of the individual as an active learner and researcher is as much a bi-product of the inquiry as the improvement planned and successful results of the inquiry’s outcome. Teachers as leaders in the classroom may initiate an active research to improve curriculum delivery, reduce achievement gaps for the students, and contribute to the school culture. Teachers in leadership roles can also contribute to the school culture through action research; as well as, impact staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers and students. Principals and other administrators most important role in active research is to develop more leaders; however, the administrator can affect all the areas of passion through research and solution process.

I have discussed and developed my active research plan with the campus principal and fortunately, he is as passionate about the project as I am. I eagerly anticipate the plan’s development and monitoring its progress. We hope that by this time next year that the majority of the staff will be able to easily integrate a technology tool, especially Web 2.0 applications, into their curriculum delivery. We hope that students will be intrigued, engaged, and learn.  However, first, we must ascertain the level of technology aptitude and readiness of the staff. 

Off to the journey of active research. Cheers!

Works Cited

Dana, N. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: the principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

5306 Course Reflections #5

I need a writing refresher. Working in the IT industry, married an IT techie, and teaching technology to middle school students, answers are required to be concise, brief, and to the point. Must scholarly writing be lengthy? I do not feel I can stretch a reflection effectively to meet the requisite word count for each of the questions. Over the holiday, I hope to read the Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association and review more critically the Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards.

My husband calls me pedantic, I admit that I am. When you ask me to check my email daily, I will. I even created a link on my iPhone to Zimbra. I also want to cite sources correctly using the APA format. As a leader, my finicky disposition has its advantages and disadvantages. As an advantage, my co-workers know that when given a task, I will think it through, and try to cover all the bases before hand. On the flip side, I have a tendency to over analyze and expect more from my peers based on my standards.