Week One Assignment: Description of Action Research

Action Research is the process that Principals need to take to affect real change in their schools. It is a proactive process that involves leadership committees and group problem solving. Action Research helps principals set goals to move toward needed change to improve the school environment for the staff, students, parents, and community. This process also allows the principal to be fully engaged in what is going on in their school. The idea of Action Research is a continuation of what I learned during my first course in Educational Leadership. The idea of using collaborative groups to solve problems and make decisions on each campus was shown to be especially important to encourage buy in and allow those most affected by the changes to have a voice in the process. Action Research is a specific way to make this collaborative grouping more effective.

I was encouraged to see that the author does understand and address the time constraints that work against us as educators and that will continue to be a problem as we move in to the position of principal. I agree with the author that it is just a matter of making it part of your routine. I think my job as teacher and coach gives me firsthand experience with dealing with time management and making sure to fit the important things in to your routine. I truly believe, as with my coaching experience has proven, that practice makes perfect. If we as educational leaders practice action research, it will become part of our usual routine and time will no longer seem as relevant (Dana, 2006).

Blogs can be used by educators to share with other educators what they are working on in class or on their campus. They can also have their students use them to share what they are learning in class. Principals can use blogs to share information with principals on other campuses and gain insight to what is working at their school. It is a quick and easy way to disseminate information.