EDLD 5301-Week 5 Reflections

    I have learned so much in this course EDLD 5301- Research For Teachers. I am glad that there was a class specifically designed to help better understand the intricacies of an action research project.

    I feel as though the lectures were informative and I particularly liked the interviews of some of Lamar University’s former doctoral students. I liked their advice and insight on conducting action research.

    The books assigned for this class are excellent tools that will help me within my research project. I particularly liked the readings that I felt were extremely helpful in helping me understand more about action research.

    I liked the readings within Leading With Passion And Knowledge: The Principal As Action Researcher by Nancy Fichtman Dana. It discussed why one conducts action research through finding “wonderings” (Dana, 2009, p.29-70). The readings also explained that you as the researcher should find your questions from different areas within the school such as: staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, individual students, school culture and community, leadership, management, school performance, and social justice (Dana, 2009, p.30).

    I have found the Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template a wonderful resource as it has helped me examine my steps during my research and construct a timeline (Harris, et al., 2010, p.85). I also enjoyed reading about the strategies for sustaining improvement such as the Force Field Analysis, the Delphi Method, and Nominal Group Technique (Harris et al., 2010, p.94-96).

    The assignments in this class were helpful as they were designed to help the student understand the readings and construct the action research project. The assignments helped me set a good pace for myself while trying to develop my plan for my action research project.

    The discussion boards and blogs were a nice way to communicate with others about action research in general and to see more details about other’s projects. We were able to have discussions and comment on other people’s topics of action research. We were also able to see how people were using their action research planning templates with detailed information about their projects. I found that using the blogs and the discussion boards gave me a better knowledge of how to develop my action research project.

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

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps to improve our schools. Eye on Education Press.

EDLD 5301-Week 4 Reflections

This week I have posted my updated action research project template. I have mainly changed the time frame to allow for school holidays that I will not be able to see my students.

I have read comments about my plan and I am pleased to see some interest even though it is not a common topic.

 I have learned a lot this week from the readings about strategies for sustaining improvement such as the Force Field Analysis, the Delphi Method, and the Nominal Group Technique (Harris et al., 2010). I have even found that I have participated in some if those processes.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 9 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, N.Y.: Eye On Education.

EDLD 5301-Updated Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: To determine the benefits of using the document camera and Promethean board within the choir classroom regarding sight singing.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Discuss topic with site mentor.	Myself, Site Mentor	1/31/12-2/2/12	E-mail	Approval of topic, discussion and suggestions on how to improve and enhance project.
Pre-assessment of test classes to determine the required knowledge to proceed to sight singing. Example: Solfege (Do, re, mi) and Kodaly hand signs that work in cooperation with Solfege.	Myself, Students	2/27/12-3/2/12	Music resources: Review Sheets of Kodaly Hand Signs. Taken from: The Singing Musician by Patti De Witt	Do the students have mastery of Kodaly hand signs that align with the appropriate solfege (Do, Re, Mi)?
Begin sight singing teaching with both beginning classes. One will be learning the traditional method with music that is printed on paper while being held in the student’s hand. The other class will be learning sight singing utilizing technology with the use of the document camera and Promethean board	Myself, Students	3/5/12-3/30/12	Printed examples of sight reading taken from: Patterns of Sound by Bacack and Crocker, Document Camera, Promethean Board	Assessment and evaluation of classes in their progress. How far did they progress within the sight singing curriculum? Are the technology classes able to transition back to using paper? Documented details of mini-assessments within a researcher’s notebook.
Finalizing Action Research Project by analyzing the process and results of the project to best determine which method I will implement in the future.	Myself	4/2/12/-4/6/12	Class Assessment Data, Researcher’s Notebook, MS Word	How did each class do? What was the progress in both classes? Which classes seem to have a better understanding of the process and the content? Which method will serve my student’s the best? Which method will I continue to use in the future? Study student thoughts on sight reading.

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

EDLD 5301- Week 3 Reflections

I feel as though I have really learned a lot about my action research plan this week. I also sat down with my site mentor and had a great conversation about some new ideas and suggestions that will help me during this process.

I feel as though writing my plan this week helped me set time frames to make sure I have realistic goals set. I am looking forward to my project.

EDLD 5301 Week 3 - Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: To determine the benefits of using the document camera and Promethean board within the choir classroom regarding sight singing.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Discuss topic with site mentor.	Myself, Site Mentor	1/31/12-2/2/12	E-mail	Approval of topic, discussion and suggestions on how to improve and enhance project.
Pre-assessment of test classes to determine the required knowledge to proceed to sight singing. Example: Solfege (Do, re, mi) and Kodaly hand signs that work in cooperation with Solfege.	Myself, Students	2/27/12-3/2/12	Music resources: Review Sheets of Kodaly Hand Signs. Taken from: The Singing Musician by Patti De Witt	Do the students have mastery of Kodaly hand signs that align with the appropriate solfege (Do, Re, Mi)?
Begin sight singing teaching with both beginning classes. One will be learning the traditional method with music that is printed on paper while being held in the student’s hand. The other class will be learning sight singing utilizing technology with the use of the document camera and Promethean board	Myself, Students	3/5/12-3/23/12	Printed examples of sight reading taken from: Patterns of Sound by Bacack and Crocker, Document Camera, Promethean Board	Assessment and evaluation of classes in their progress. How far did they progress within the sight singing curriculum? Are the technology classes able to transition back to using paper? Documented details of mini-assessments within a researcher’s notebook.
Finalizing Action Research Project by analyzing the process and results of the project to best determine which method I will implement in the future.	Myself	3/26/12/-3/30/12	Class Assessment Data, Researcher’s Notebook, MS Word	How did each class do? What was the progress in both classes? Which classes seem to have a better understanding of the process and the content? Which method will serve my student’s the best? Which method will I continue to use in the future? Study student thoughts on sight reading.

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps to improve our schools. Eye on Education Press.

EDLD 5301 Week 3 - Action Research Plan

1. SETTING THE FOUNDATION:

Teaching sight singing to beginning choir students is difficult because it is something completely foreign to them. Because of the students’ lack of previous knowledge it has become a concern of mine to understand the most efficient way to teach beginner students to sight sing.

2. ANALYZING DATA:

Analyzing data from mini- assessments, formal assessments will be vital for me as I determine which areas of the content that I need to address further. I will also be gathering information to be compiled within my researcher’s notebook. Within this notebook I will be documenting notes to myself about my performance, factors that may have influenced the class’s learning, and the perception of the student about their particular method of sight singing.

3. DEVELOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING:

Though the data gathering conducted within my action research project I will ask myself additional questions about what I am doing within the process that can be more efficient. I will also ask my students for feedback about their feeling about the learning method that they are using. I will read journals about technology use within the music classroom.

4. ENGAGING SELF REFLECTION:

I will examine my action research template and ask myself if I have all of the necessary resources to fully conduct my action research project. I will also be gathering questions from the beginning of this project within my researcher’s notebook. Through my writings I will be analyzing my performance daily. I will keep notes from suggestions from my site mentor.

5. EXPLORING PROBLEMATIC PATTERNS:

I will be looking for suggestions from my site supervisor during this time and logging our conversations to reflect upon as I determine the best methods within my classroom during this project. I will also ask other music professionals their advice as they may have a clear vision about certain aspects of the project.

6. DETERMINING DIRECTION:

I believe that my topic will be interesting for many music teachers. I believe that I am clear what my goals are during this project and that my timelines are realistic.  I feel that I have clear assessment strategies and a strong plan for monitoring and evaluation for my students as they progress with their learning.

7.TAKING ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT:

I am ready to begin this project and am certain that the action research planning has prepared me to take on this project. I also feel that I will be prepared to present findings about this topic.

8. SUSTAINING IMPROVEMENT:

Through my research project I will be able to determine which method of learning sight singing will best help my students with their mastery of the content. I will then be able to make a decision about which method of learning sight singing I will be implementing in my classroom in the future.

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

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps to improve our schools. Eye on Education Press.

EDLD 5301-Week 2 Reflections

    This week I learned more about where to find questions that fuel action research within education.

    Staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, individual students, school culture and or community, leadership, management, school performance, and social justice or equity issues comprise the nine areas from which questions can be asked regarding action research (Dana, 2009).

    The inquiry and results from the action research helps not only the teacher and campus but ultimately the student.

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

EDLD 5301- Blog Use by Educational Leaders

    Blogs are a wonderful tool that can be used by educational leaders to keep an online journal of their own reflections. It can be used as a reference that they may refer to in the future (Dana, 2009). Blogs are also a great tool to be able to collaborate with other educators and administrators. They have the power to be an instant communication device that can be available for everyone to see or a select group. Blogs are helpful because they are not merely websites because they can also function as discussion boards.

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

EDLD 5301- Action Research

    I have learned that action research is a process that administrators use to help implement change within themselves, their staff, their school, and their students. Action research revolves around a cyclical improvement process. Action researchers pose questions, collect and analyze data, make changes and share changes and information with others (Dana, 2009).  
    I have also learned that action research occurs frequently within professional learning communities (PLCs), team meetings, and committees as the administrators and teachers are constantly trying to improve the school.

    Reflections play a role in the action research process. I have learned that it is important to schedule time for reflection as the researcher can become overwhelmed with other duties. Time management is a skill that needs to be utilized to create an optimum setting for analyzing data in depth.

    Action research conducted by on campus personnel is helpful because they are privy to the workings of the campus and the district. It is preferable to rely on those findings rather than using an outside source that do not know the inner workings of the campus.

    Action research seems like a good tool to use in order to solve a problem. There is a systematic method to use as the researcher poses questions that will help within the research process.

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