The search for action research.

I think the whole action research topic has been very enlightening and refreshing.  I now have a name for something I have done in my classroom throughout my ten year career.  I was able to see examples of action research in my school and in my school district.  I saw I had been involved in action research as both a researcher and as a participant.  I saw how informal action research was used by my administration to improve faculty meetings and teacher inservices.  I also saw how formal action research is used to plan for the year within the school and by the district.
One specific area in which I want to learn more is using action research to improve as a leader of adults as opposed to a leader of children.  If I decide to go into administration the style of leadership I use with the kids will have to be altered to lead adults.  I am constantly observing our administration to see how they handle themselves in different situations. I watch how they talk to faculty, staff, students, and parents.  
In order to improve on my leadership skills I plan on seeking out more leadership positions.  Recently I took on the task of organizing our school's Pre Advanced Placement scheduling.  Students were offered the opportunity to take a test which score along with the students grade point average and teacher recommendation would determine if they were eligible for Pre AP.  I had to work with teachers to obtain their lists of qualified students and to organize a Pre AP night in which parents and students came to get a general understanding of Pre AP and to sign district created contracts to be apart of the program.  Once contracts were signed it was my responsibility to give our registrar a list of the students and the courses they had agreed on taking.

This was an action research project in which I learned how important communication is in order to create a successful event.  I jumped into the situation with both feet and I had a tremendous amount of help from a colleague who did the organizing last year.  I did learn that I have to improve on my communication skills.  I also learned the timing of the communication is very important.  I look forward to making more mistakes and learning from them in a leadership role.

Finalized Research Plan

Title: When used as a supplemental material, can the educational software Compass Learning increase academic performance of low performing 8th grade science students?

Compass Learning is an online educational software which is in line with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  The software can be used to determine a learning path for individual students based on the results of a pre-test. The learning path includes video modules, interactive activities, and quizzes.

Participants for the research will be determined by averages in science after the 1st 3 weeks of the 1st 9 weeks on the Fall of 2013.  The students will be asked to come in before and after school in order to access the program and to complete the learning paths designed for each student.

Compass Learning maintains records of the students performance on assessments.  I will also use unit exams designed by CSCOPE to track progress of participants.  Most importantly the participants overall grade will be monitored as well.

The Action Research will continue for the duration of the 1st 9 weeks.  Results will be analyzed and perhaps more inquiries will arise during that time.