Action Research Plan

GOAL  
All BAHS personnel will integrate technologies to meet instructional and productivity goals.

OBJECTIVE
Design and support educator professional development that integrates technology into teaching and learning, instructional management and administration. In the process, continue to maximize the use of technology to meet instructional and productivity goals on an ongoing basis.

ACTIVITY PROCESS

Needs Assessment - Survey to determine the needs and obstacles teachers are encountering regarding the use of technology.

• Resource/Research Tools: Computer lab and SurveyMonkey
• Timeline: First two weeks of beginning of school year
• Persons Responsible: Julie Perez and Business Academy Faculty
• Process for Monitoring: Completion of survey by academy members and interviews
• Assessment/Evaluation: Collect and analyze results
  

Professional Development/Integrate Technology - Provide technology and train campus teachers in the use of technology integration strategies.

• Resource/Research Tools: Computer lab 
• Timeline: School year
• Persons Responsible: Julie Perez and CTE/Business Academy Faculty
• Process for Monitoring: Faculty participation in staff development and teacher/CTE mentoring collaboration
• Assessment/Evaluation: Weekly meetings with academy members to discuss and reflect on integrated lessons with technology
  

Continuous Training - Provide follow up training and learning opportunities.

• Resource/Research Tools: Computer lab and SurveyMonkey
• Timeline: School year - Every quarter during early release day
• Persons Responsible: Julie Perez and CTE/Business Academy Faculty
• Process for Monitoring: Classroom observations and teacher collaboration
• Assessment/Evaluation: Content/CTE teacher presentation of integrated projects at monthly academy meetings.
  

Action Research Topic

How can I best facilitate teacher professional development to aid in their knowledge of technology and integration of CTE and academic model throughout the high school curriculum?

Possible Action Research Topics

The three topics I have chosen as possibilities for action research are:

• Professional Development in the area of Technology
• Student Failure Rate
• Team Collaboration

Week Two - Action Research Topics

This week I have learned quite a few things about action research topics. It has been interesting to learn that the topics discussed in our readings are similar to those that continue to exist today. From failure rates to professional development to learning communities, amongst others... all are affected in some way. Why? Because these concerns have not been properly dealt with, therefore you continue to see them exist. You would think that Principals and Leaders of today have sustained some form of training in "building a successful" campus. This does not seem to be the case.

At our district they are required to continue their education by attending mandatory trainings to help them in areas of improvement and sustain continued success in areas of strengths. But it seems fruitless when they return to their campus and continue in their old ways. Reflection is one element that needs to play an integral part in one's success.

Stagnation is the kiss of death. Growth from one's reflection is an indicator of self improvement with benefits on behalf of student, faculty and campus success.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERS AND BLOGGING

Educational leaders who use 21^st Century Technology tools such as blogs stand to gain more insight globally. Blogs will give the latest news, provide inspiration and ensure up-to-date education technologies. These are essentials for becoming a more knowledgeable and resourceful leader.

I HAVE LEARNED...

I have learned that action research is a process that examines one’s own educational practices in a systematically way (self-reflective). It helps in assisting assessing needs, documenting the steps of inquiry, analyzing data, and making informed decisions that can lead to desired outcomes. To explain it in more in detail; it allows educators to work on problems that they themselves have identified. In turn, they become more effective when they examine and asses their own work and consider ways of working differently. This helps when individuals spread the wealth by collaborating amongst other colleagues and encourage them to share (develop a shared vision). Especially during professional development in which, I will utilize action research emphasizing technology.

The concerns are that the campus is not allowing for improvement in this particular area and limited resources are available. The question asked is why technology is not at the forefront. I’m sure there are plenty of contributing factors that limit improvement, but it can also provide how we can effectively implement a plan to promote positive change into the campus as a whole to benefit both the educator and more importantly the student.

What better opportunity to enhance our knowledge.

Instructional Design - Schoology

The benefits I see in utilizing online learning enables educators to reach a new kind of student. 21^st Century Technology today allows educators to learn and gain skills. Their innovative knowledge facilitates them to apply real world setting in their instruction. I see how educators have difficulty engaging students and in a changing world, online learning provides that and more.

Educators have the ability to design and implement online learning that accommodates each of the learning styles of auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Along with this, there is consistency in instruction that allows for increased retention. Those invested become experts and communicate knowledge to all involved.

One other benefit that is really the most influential factor in implementing online learning is reduced overall costs. Educators will be able to eliminate miscellaneous costs such as substitutes salaries which accrue due to time spent away for trainings and so forth. If there is anyone who would benefit the most from online learning, it would be the student.

This lends itself to implementing an already self made design that can be used to initiate a program for online learning. Those who have reservations on its purpose could see its possibilities (the buy-in) for our campus and district. Elevating the standards is vital in student success. We cannot falter when we require high expectations from our students. This makes no sense professionally. The product in itself must be useful and provide a need. Education is a need in all forms.

The introduction of Schoology gives us an opportunity to delve into technology like no other. Every element of communication is touched, in the form of blogging, discussion and visual resources. Online learning provides us a chance to multi-task in academics. The area of assignments, attendance, and grading is useful to administrators who can incorporate this learning management system into teacher evaluation. Production in and out of the classroom is important.

I mentioned the importance of online learning, I also must be realistic as to the possibility of implementing an online learning program to our district. I believe the district would like to see a program like this evolve but not many educators are experienced in the area of online learning. The opportunity for me to develop a pilot program here at my campus would be a perfect way to expose the benefits.

I have also come to realize that even though this option would reap the district benefits, each campus administrator has their individual take on innovative programs being brought into their campuses. The drawback is due to the fact that we still have a few who believe that traditional instruction is the way to go. The complexity of tasks associated with developing and delivering online courses seem time consuming.

In the end, the stakeholders formulate a shared vision that defines expectations for regular education in the district. My hope is to incorporate the same for online learning.

The questions that I may still inquire on will have to be submitted to my area campus and district. I have learned that this is a great way to deliver instruction and many educators approach teaching in an online environment with skepticism and excitement. To me the skepticism is that at this time we are having a profound amount of technical difficulties. The difficulties are actually quite extensive that it affects the progress of student achievement. Even more so, campuses are now reverting to traditional schedule. With time constraints already a factor, the question now becomes a concern in training educators – when?

There are other questions that I have regarding online learning that pertain to transitioning. The experience I have had regarding the implementation of new programs is not well received only because there is no longevity. If a program does not show success in a month or two, it is quickly weeded out.

Finally, as I mentioned before, technology has changed our environment. I have been exposed to endless possibilities that can help our educators evolve into a more productive, knowledgeable resource for online learning. If I cannot develop an online learning program at my campus, I will take my new found knowledge and implement it in my classroom. It truly would be ashamed if we just acquire information and just let it gather dust. Many times we complain about having to go to workshops and conferences and learn a great deal about instructional strategies but never implement them or follow up.

This will not be the case. As it is, we are five years behind in what technology should be today. The further we prolong online learning, the further we become in our own methods of instruction. I will lead by example and make an attempt to encourage my technology colleagues into accepting an online learning program in which we all can benefit from.