EDLD 5301 - Week 5

EDLD 5301 Research was a very informative class for me to take this session. I learned how to conduct a new form of research called action research. 

This week I learned about five quality indicators that will help me assess my action research project as I go. Assessing along the way will allow me to grow as a researcher and a leader. “Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you take the time to assess the quality of your research, you will grow as a researcher with each cycle of the inquiry process” (Dana, 2009, p. 178).

As I conclude this course, I will be beginning my action research journey; the journey to find how the staff members of Orangefield Elementary can use the existing technology to bridge the mathematics achievement gap between the economic groups. Let the journey begin!

Reference

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge. Thousand Oaks, California, USA: Corwin.

EDLD 5301 - Week 4

This week I met with Dr. Haynes, my site mentor and principal, to discuss my Action Research plan. A few changes were made based on this meeting and based on comments from some of my classmates. The revised plan is posted below.

I also learned about four strategies for sustaining improvement in the schools. I have used a couple of these strategies before. They just called by a different name. Force Field Analysis is very similar to listing the pros and cons of a situation. The Nominal Group Technique is similar to the brainstorming technique that I was taught years earlier. The Delphi method is very intriguing especially if your group is having problems finding the time to meet or if distance is a problem. All communication is done electronically. The CARE model was the most challenging of them all. I can see where this model could incorporate the other strategies as well. These other strategies could be used to identify the four components of the method.

Week 4 is now history and on to Week 5. Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! J

Updated Action Research Plan

SCHOOL VISION: The vision of Orangefield Elementary School is to motivate and enable all students to accomplish their highest educational goals while building self-efficacy.

GOAL:  The goal of this action research is to use existing technology to bridge the achievement gap in mathematics between the economic groups in the third and fourth grades.

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	BENCHMARKS/ ASSESSMENT	Revision to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Identify the technology that is available at OES	Inventory of technology on campus	Excel Spreadsheet	Carol Evans & Jennifer Pickard	October 2011 To December 2011	Completed Inventory List
Determine the number of economic disadvantage students are enrolled in OES	Gather information from front office	PEIM information	Carol Evans	November 1, 2011	Have a number or percentage	Changed TAKS to PEIMS and Change time line from 09/11 – 10/11 to 11/1/11
Identify what the type of access students have to technology after school hours	Survey Parents and Students	SurveyMonkey.com, Excel Spreadsheet	Carol Evans  & Improvement Committee	January 2012 To March 2012	Completed Excel Spreadsheet	Identified survey tool to use
Collect test data from previous years	Analyze TAP and TAKS data	TAP and TAKS data for 2009, 2010, and 2011, and Excel Spreadsheet	Carol Evans & Improvement Committee	September 2011 To November 2011	Completed Excel Spreadsheet	Replaced TPRI with TAP
Identify Technologies used by neighboring district in the area of math	Interview teacher from BCIS	Audacity software, note taking skills	Carol Evans	October 2011	Completed Interview	Changed “resources” to “technology” Modified time line from 4/12 -5/12 to 10/11
Identify the technology that math teachers are using in their classroom	Survey math teachers	SurveyMonkey.com, Excel Spreadsheet	Carol Evans & Improvement Committee	April 2012 To May 2012	Completed Excel Spreadsheet	Identified survey tool to use
Identify students that have a sense of belonging to OE community	Survey all students	SurveyMonkey.com, Excel Spreadsheet	Carol Evans & Improvement Committee	January 2012 To March 2012	Completed Excel Spreadsheet	Identified survey tool to use
Collect data from new STAAR test	Analyze STAAR data	STAAR data for 2012 and Excel Spreadsheet	Carol Evans & Improvement Committee	May 2012 To July 2012	Completed Excel Spreadsheet
Recommendations for change	Cumulate and analyze data	All data previously collected	Carol Evans & Improvement Committee	July 2012 To September 2012	Completed project	New Addition