Week Four Reflections

From the Harris (2010) text the four strategies for sustaining improvement: force field analysis, Delphi method, Nominal Group Technique, and the CARE model were very useful and informative. The Force Field Analysis was very enlightening. Force Field Analysis is a tool developed by social scientist Kurt Lewin. He believed that there are forces that drive change and forces that resist it. In order for change to occur, the driving forces must exceed those resisting it. So to bring about change you will first need to examine and understand the circumstances surrounded the needed change. The steps for conducting a Force Field Analysis include 1) describe the current situation, 2) describe the proposed change, 3) identify what will happen if no change occurs, 4) identify the forces driving the proposed change, 5) identify the forces resisting the change, 6) determine whether the change is viable, and 7) what is needed for implementation?

Week Final Five Reflections

This action research course was enlightening overall. The assignments, discussions and readings in each week caught my interest and I gained new information. I learned something new each week that made me look at the administrators on my campus differently. Also, new information has improved my inquiry focus by relating it more to administrative context instead of from a teacher’s point of view. I have to condition my thoughts to campus-wide improvement and not just classroom improvement. Week One: My greatest insight in week one was learning what is administrative inquiry.Administrative inquiry or action research is described by Nancy Dana as “the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry” (2009). This reflective process is long term and research is done by the principal to seek out change for school improvements by collecting data, analyzing the data with relevant literature, and make changes based on new findings during the research to share with the community stakeholders. The process is cyclical and the source of the pondering is the principal rather than outside experts. It is an essential component in order to establish a firm foundation for school improvement (Harris, 2010). In addition, I learned how and what does action research look like in educational settings. Building a Blog Before this course, I have never created a blog or interacted with others through blog. The process was challenging, yet, I am excited about my blog and reading others blogs. Blogging has allowed me to share my action research project, progress and reflections, as well as learn from reading others’ blogs on action research. Week Two: My greatest insights were Week 2 assignments, Action Research Lessons from Scholar Practitioners, Common Action Research Topics in School settings, and Selecting Action Research Topics. I was able to gain valuable information from three scholar practitioners, Dr. Johnny Briseno, Dr. Timothy Chargois and Dr. Kirk Lewis. They scholars shared what action research meant to them, how it is utilized in their districts and the benefits. Also, I enjoyed meeting with my site supervisor, Thyrun Hurst, Building Principal to review and discuss possible action research topics for campus improvements. I want to learn more about action research and strategies to get all community stakeholders on board. I am excited and passionate about my action research topic. My action research topic is Increasing Disability Awareness in the school setting to educate the student body to embrace differences and identify disabilities through peer buddy programs on campus. Also, I will research the attitudes of students without disability in terms of acceptance or beliefs about individuals with disabilities. According to Dr. K. Lewis, when research is practical to your environment, one is more interested, and focused on the outcome when it relevant and meaningful. Week Three: I learned how to develop my action research plan using the use the template found in the Harris et al. text, Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template, p. 85. Also, I wrote my action Research Question/Problem Statement: In what ways can Woodcreek Middle School develop a collaborative caring culture for students with disabilities, students without disabilities, teachers, administrators and parents? Service Learning for “Diversity” Awareness Week Four: From the Harris (2010) text the four strategies for sustaining improvement: force field analysis, Delphi method, Nominal Group Technique, and the CARE model were very useful and informative. The Force Field Analysis was very enlightening. Force Field Analysis is a tool developed by social scientist Kurt Lewin. He believed that there are forces that drive change and forces that resist it. In order for change to occur, the driving forces must exceed those resisting it. So to bring about change you will first need to examine and understand the circumstances surrounded the needed change. The steps for conducting a Force Field Analysis include 1) describe the current situation, 2) describe the proposed change, 3) identify what will happen if no change occurs, 4) identify the forces driving the proposed change, 5) identify the forces resisting the change, 6) determine whether the change is viable, and 7) what is needed for implementation? Week Five:I learned strategies to continually improve my action research utilizing quality indicators for practitioner- research. The quality indicators are:1. Context of Study2. Wondering (s) and Purpose3. Principal Research Design (Data Collection and Data Analysis4. Principal-Researcher Learning5. Implications for Practice Dana, N. (2009). References: Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin and American Association of School Administrators. Harris, S., Edmondson, S. & Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: Eight steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

Week Three Reflection

Week 3 Assignments were time consuming yet informative. The completion of my draft research action gave me a vision of the steps I have take. I have learned that the action research plan, progress and implementation may take weeks, months, and others to complete. Effective change doesn't happen overnight. Mahatma Gandhi states "we must be the change we wish to see in the world." Also, I discovered that if the research is meaningful to you, then you are eager about the outcome. I am very excited about my draft action plan so far because I believe it will make a difference for students with disabilities and students without disabilities.

Action Research Plan

Week 2 Lessons /Reflections

Action Research will provide an opportunity to act in the role of administrator and implement change initiatives. Kettering (1961) "essentially research is nothing but a state of mind,... a friendly, welcoming attitude toward change,... going out to look for change instead of waiting for it to come".

My Proposed Research Project Week 2 Lessons

My propose research topic is Increasing Disability Awareness in the school setting to educate the student body to embrace differences and identify disabilities through peer buddy programs on campus. Also, I will research the attitudes of students without disability in terms of acceptance or beliefs about individuals with disabilities. 

The purpose of my proposed research topic is to create a school that promotes a community of belonging, acceptance, caring, and understanding for all. All students with disabilities and without disabilities will benefit from this initiative. Peer buddy support programs will:

• Increase disability awareness
• Build Self Esteem
• Educate students about Disabilities
• Promote People First Language i.e., A student with an Intellectual Disability instead of A Mentally Retarded student.
• Develop career interests through service-learning experiences with both general and special education students,
• Create and develop social and life skills
• Help build a caring school community by linking special education students with general education students in regular school functions
• Providing an opportunity for friendships to be developed students and general education students between special education