EDLD 5301 Action Research – Michael C. Warren

EDLD 5301 – Week Three Summary

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:12:18 +0000

This week I have really been able to break down my key project. I truly wish that this course would have been the second or third course in my masters instead of my 2nd to last as it would have been very useful to know much of the research based process going through my internship. Â However my project to implement a web based staff development program will be able to be implemented by September. I believe I can have a full study by the time I am done with my internship and hope that I will have implemented a successful solution to web based staff development for our school. If we can be successful with online staff development, I also hope that in the long-run we can implement more web based curriculum for students.

EDLD 5301 Week 3 â€“ Action Research Project

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:03:10 +0000

Action Research Project

Process Overview

Web Based Staff Development

How does the process of web based online staff development help teachers continue to learn and grow, and in what role can the technology leaders play a role in facilitating this process.

GOAL: Implements and test the use of online based staff development

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES / RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ Assessments	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Initial training to new web system	Provide a training session with examples of how to use the new web system	New eChalk system will be put into place in early August. I will train research group of teachers and administrators in computer lab.	I will provide training. IT department for getting eChalk online	8/15	Interview research group and gather feedback	Further training if needed
Train administration on creating staff development content for site	Work one on one with administration to create content	Scanner, Video, Administrative support, previous staff development documents	I will work with select administration to help them create their training documents and possible quiz	8/24	Observation and Interview with administration to gather their thoughts of using the system.	Will adjust one-on-one training if needed.
Teachers will use online staff development section	Work with teachers to use the online staff development system to go through developed training.	Teacher computer and internet connectivity	I will answer any questions the teachers may have in using the online staff development system.	9/1	Interview and send surveys to teachers to see how they liked the online staff development system	Will work with both administrators and teachers to answer questions in order to continue.
Final meeting with test group	Have an overall group discussion on how the test environment went.	Discuss in library	Teachers, Administration and I will all discuss topic.	9/3	Overall Survey	If initial test went well, open to larger group or test using it throughout the year with entire staff.

SETTING THE FOUNDATION â€“ With the new implementation of eChalk, a web hosting solution, the idea of expanding staff development to include alternative options than staff meetings should be considered.Â This can increase staff development and include alternative and open scheduled training instead of mandatory in person staff meetings in which all teachers are unable to attend.
ANALYZING DATA â€“ Using Internet based research, observations, interviews with individuals from other districts I hope to find and implement best practice ideas for staff development from a web interface.
DEVELOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING â€“ During this process I will interview individuals taking part in the initial testing process and individuals from other districts who use online staff development options.Â In addition I will research online schools and topics covering online staff development.
ENGAGE IN SELF_REFLECTION â€“ Based on interviews, research and observation I will take time to reflect on the benefits and disadvantages of web based staff development and look at possible changes that might need to be added to the project.Â Possible questions for reflection might be:
1. Do we have all the available resources with eChalk to do an online staff development system?
2. Will there be enough of a benefit to a majority of the staff and administration to have an online option for staff development.
3. Can the administration successfully complete training documentation or will other staff have to create the training documentation.
EXPLORING PROGRAMMATIC PATTERNS â€“ Throughout the project I will continue to interview individuals who are involved in the project to gain an understanding of problems that may arise and what possible solutions could be put into place.
DETERMINING DIRECTION â€“ The Project will begin after August 5^th, once eChalk is put into place. This will enable me to create a training program to have ready by mid August that will allow me to train administration and staff to use the new site, and to offer a training course for administration to create a staff development lesson for the teachers to access. I will assist administration in their creating their staff training information and work with teachers to help them use what content was created.Â Interviews will take place throughout the project.Â A final open discuss will be used to help decide the continuation of a staff development process like this.
TAKING ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT â€“ Those involved in the project will be part of the committee to help develop online staff development for the school. After the initial testing with the group a larger or school wide group may be tested. Those on the committee will work with individuals and observe how the concept takes place.Â Meeting every 3 months we will discuss observation and go over notes that we share via online groups that are developed in the new web system.
SUSTAIN IMPROVEMENT – Upon conclusion of the project, information will be shared with staff and administrators on the results of how the training system was put into place. Such information may include number of online staff training documents accessed, videos available and watched, and quizzes taken.

EDLD 5301 Week 2 â€“ Action Research Project

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:52:37 +0000

During Week two I have decided that I will narrow my focus down a bit more from just implementing a better website that will improve student, staff and community involvement. I am going to focus on an initial effort that I believe I can achieve before completing my master in December. We have already decided to with eChalk and we are in the initial stages of putting our new service in place. Training on the new system will be on August 4th and 5th. With this new system in place I want to help administration provide alternatives to staff development that is more than just attending staff meetings every month or two. My action research project is to answer the following question:

How does the process of web based online staff development help teachers continue to learn and grow, and in what role can the technology leaders play a role in facilitating this process.

EDLD 5301 Week 1 – Blog Usage

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:15:50 +0000

Administrator and school officials can use both public and secured blogs to help share their reflections regarding action research. By using blogs ideas can be shared, thoughts can be logged, and eventually reviewed for reflection. Multiple individuals can supply input to the same blog and feedback can be given.

EDLD 5301 Week 1 – Action Research Project

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:58:05 +0000

Action research or administrator inquiry is a systematic approach to reviewing data, recognizing a problem, implementing a change based on research, and reflecting on the change that has been made. It is a way for those affected by the problem to be involved and responsible in the changes that are implemented. While it may be easy to see a problem and buy a solution it is harder and more involved to be part of the researching and implementing the solution. By being part of the research you take responsibility on the implementation, you interact with those who are affected and you bond with those who are involved. The problem and solution becomes part of you.
At Maypearl ISD we have been hosting and running our own web site for the past 3 years. While a simplistic HTML template based site, it has grown to over 300 pages and consists of all forms of media. This year our Internet Service Provider stated they would no longer provide e-mail or web hosting, but only provide Internet connection services. This has placed us in a bind in which we have had to research new forms of hosting for our web page and e-mail. Using Action research we will work to migrate from our current hosting service to an improved solution to provide additional learning tools for our district.

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