Action Research Plan

I had a hard time trying to figure out how to make a table on this blog so I decided to just use the information that I had in the table and group each piece of information.


Goal: Both athletics and academics play an important role in the life of a female student-athlete. I believe there will be a correlation between high academic achievement and high athletic achievement. I also believe high academic achievement will also be a factor in higher self esteem. My goal is to show that there is indeed a correlation between performing well academically and performing well athletically.


Initial research from outside sources
Online library, internet
J. Scales
Sept. 2010
Evaluate the data and strategies used for compiling and looking at data. r

Compose surveys for athletes, coaches, administrators, and parents
Internet
(surveymonkey.com)
J. Scales
Oct. 2010
Evaluate the effectiveness of the surveys

Randomly select test scores from high, middle, and low achieving student-athletes
Campus counselors, Inform computer program
J. Scales
Oct. 2010
Evaluate various test and IQ scores

Pull report cards
Class XP program, Campus counselors
J. Scales
Oct. 2010
Evaluate grades and conduct scores

Distribute surveys to coaches, athletes, parents, teachers
Computer generated notes, email
J. Scales
Oct. 2010
Disseminate data from surveys

Distribute surveys to coaches concerning athletic achievement
Email
J. Scales
Nov. 2010
Disseminate data from coaches

Research from outside sources
Online library, internet
J. Scales
Fall 2010- Spring 2011
This research should help me be able to better classify and sort both data I find from outside resources and the resources from which I find from my campus

Compile and sort completed data
Surveys, computer generated data, data from counselors
J. Scales
Spring 2011
After compiling and sorting the data, I should be able to make conclusions based on my wonderings.

Presentation to coaches and administrators
PowerPoint
J. Scales
Spring 2011
Coaches and administrators will have better knowledge on how to help female student-athletes

Complete and distribute newsletter to parents and teachers
Microsoft Publisher
J. Scales
Spring 2011
Parents and teachers will realize the importance of both academics and athletics

Process for monitoring achievement of goals and objectives
It will be important to stay on the timeline that I have set. I want to give enough time for all participants to answer surveys. I also want to give myself enough time to research from outside sources.

Wk 2 Reflection

This week I learned much about action research and the imporatance of it. The first two weeks I have learned a lot. I have even gotten some ideas to use in my class for next year! After this week's assignments, I have a better appreciation for research and data. I am not as intimidated by it as I was before. I hope that only improves as I progress in this course. I feel the relevance of this course more. This "action research" about issues that really affects our schools interests me much. As much of a pain that it was to do part two of the assignment, I am glad that I did. It gave me the opportunity to explore and revisit issues about action research.

How Educational Leaders Can Use Blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs in two major, distinct ways: as form of journaling and as a data collection tool. By using blogs to journal, leaders are able to have visible evidence of their reflections. What is awesome about blogging is that it can be shared with others. Thus, blogging takes on a collaborative aspect, which we strive to have in education! I love the example that is given in the Dana text. The principal setting a time each week to blog in a classroom that is participating in their weekly writing workshop. Not only was she using the blog as a reflection tool, she was also modeling writing to the students!

What I've Learned about Action Research & How I Can Use it!

I must admit, when I first saw that this was the next course up, I moaned and groaned. I associated this Research class with what I had done before. This consisted usually of English papers and research in Political Science, my undergrad major. I envisioned countless hours researching something that would be both boring and something I could never put into practice. After doing the assignments in week one, I am (as of now) upbeat about this course. I have this new attitude because I learned that action research is just that- Action! It is reflecting on an issue or something that needs improvement and finding (researching) possible solutions. It is not something that is for university research purposes. The intent of action research is to be able to put what you find into practice into your own classroom or school. I find this fascinating! As educators, we tend to do some of this instinctively. We reflect on things that do and do not work in our schools. In this course, we will take the next step forward and actually find things that strive to improve our situation.

I am excited about how I can put into action research into practice. I have already participated in action research through the professional learning community that I am a participant in. As a group we have looked at data and searched for ways to improve on the issues that we were having. Until this week one assignment, I did not realize that I was participating in action research. I also believe I can use time to really reflect on issues or problems. Whether I am a classroom teacher or an administrator, I will always be teaching. My audience and what I am teaching will be the things that are different.