Parting Thoughts on Our Action Research Class

This may sounds contrived or superficial, but in all honesty the most interesting and beneficial thing I learned throughout this course was the whole idea of action research. This genuinely was a new paradigm and helped furnish me with an invaluable tool to monitor, reflect on, and improve my individual professional practice as both a teacher and eventual administrator. I had always thought of "research" as something that was conducted strictly by professors and scientists in strictly controlled settings and environments, akin to studies conducted with control groups and carefully measured variables. It is nice to know that research can also be done on a smaller scale and in more pragmatic and practical ways that have direct impact on one's work environment. Also, this type of research feeds directly into the continuous improvement model and serves as a springboard to propel one to excellence. Dana says it this way: “Hence, whether you are studying to be a school administrator or are a veteran administrator with years of experience but faced with new educational challenges every day, administrator inquiry becomes a powerful vehicle for learning and school improvement (Fichtman Dana, Nancy, 2009, p. 3).” She is absolutely correct! I have felt very empowered by my learning during this course and very excited to have a tangible and systematic tool to be a life-long learner and to embark on my administrative journey with a strong evaluative tool that promotes continuous improvement.

It is also very comforting to know that action research opens the door to a world of collegial collaboration and helps to create an atmosphere for a learning community. The reality is that leaders such as administrators often inhabit a lonely place. However, by sharing their action research and collaborating on projects, administrators have a support system that goes beyond friendship and becomes a network of working partnerships. Within these partnerships everyone benefits from the knowledge and expertise of all of the other members. I have been encouraged and have learned a great deal from the discussion board postings and have gotten some decent feedback as well. Also, it has been helpful to read about others proposed projects and contexts because all of my experience has been at the elementary level. I am often ignorant of the challenges facing educators in the intermediate and high school settings. Thus, through discussion with my peers, I have gained insights into these settings that I would never have gained otherwise.