Action Research-Week 1; Part 3

    Technically speaking, I know that action research is a scientific process by which questions concerning needs are posed, forms of data collection determined, data collection done, reflection on the data with new understandings completed, plans for change created and implemented, and findings shared.  I also know that the process is cyclical and ongoing until the goal is reached.

     Personally, the readings required for week 1 have given me insight, a name, and validation to practices I have been using since I started my teaching career.  The first year I taught, the high school teacher and I developed a Science 1 pilot program for 7^th grade using the various phases of action research (I didn’t know what it was called, I just completed the process with guidance from the high school science teacher).  In successive years, I used the skills I learned to determine best ways of teaching the students in my middle school English classes.  Once I became the high school English Dept. Chair, I used the same methods and processes in my English PLCs.  After the realization of the impact it had on instruction, I began involving my own students in the process.  The outcome was positive and increased our students’ learning remarkably. We became an exemplary department – in State of Texas terms- and have held that status for the last 10 years. 

     Now that I am an instructional coach, action research will be even more important to me.  Through its use, many teachers and students will be impacted in a positive way through the reflection of teaching methods, the way each student learns, and the implementation of a new plan for greater success.