My 5301 Reflection

     As I reflect on the last 5 weeks of this course, so much comes to mind.  The amount of information we covered was definitely enough to keep me busy.  But the information was very beneficial and important in the continuing growth toward administration.  My plan in this reflection assignment is to talk about each of the above listed bullets individually and then any other stuff I feel was important I will discuss as well.

Lectures

     I honestly did not get much out of the lectures.  They fulfilled the purpose of putting into words what was expected each week, but there was not much insight to them in my opinion.  I can certainly tell that Dr. Aterbury, and Dr. Jenkins are both very experienced men in the field of Educational Leadership.  Though their videos did provide some strategies and best practices, I still feel they provided no real “meat” for the course.

     If I was to include the web conferences with Dr. Abshire as a lecture then I could say I gained quite a bit of knowledge from the lectures.  I made sure to attend the weekly web conferences at the scheduled times each week as I have found that even if I do not have any questions, someone else will, and I will want to know the answer!  I have also found that when I participate I tend to be more vested in the lessons and gain more insight. Dr. Abshire’s web conferences were my main source of insight on best practices and how to best approach each step of the action research process.

Readings

     Of the required sections of reading from the Dana text and the Harris et al text, I did gain a lot of knowledge about best practices for completing an action research project as well as some good pointers on ways to have more success in the process.

     Though it does not pertain to my action research currently Figure 1.1 from the Dana text, The Druthers Survey (Dana pg. 17) is going to be a tool that I will use when I get into administration to gain as much information or insight from my staff as possible.  The staff of a school is the eyes and ears.  They know what is wrong and what is right on the campus and I believe they should be able to provide possible suggestions or opinions as to what could be “fixed.”  The information provided in the Dana text will definitely be apart of my professional library and a tool that I will be referring to in the future as action research is needed on my campus.

     Though the Dana text provides several examples of action research projects from administrators around the country, the Harris et al text is a great supplemental book.  It provides in-depth step by step information that will not only help the reader get to a more precise outcome, but also allow the reader to grow and learn more about themselves throughout the action research process.  The Harris et al text really focuses on getting the reader to know themselves more and what they want to get out of gaining any information they may gather along the way.  Reflection is a powerful tool and will only help me to grow stronger more motivated and more invested in my project.

Searches, like electronic searches of topics and questions

     I did not really need to use electronic searches to find any topics or answer any of my questions.  I did use the search to find research on my specific action research topic to find out how or what others had done in the past.  I found a Lamar student had done an action research similar to mine and was very good about posting information on her blog about her findings.  I also found a dissertation someone had written that was published in an online magazine.

Assignments and activities

     The best way to learn is to do.  I am totally a kinesthetic learner so hands on is what works for me.  In actually having to sit down and type up an outline for my project and meeting with my site supervisor to gain insight into what I could do to make it better for myself as well as our school.

Discussion Board

     Gaining insight from my peers is always a bonus.  I have never had a problem putting my opinion out there for better or worse to be critiqued by others.  I felt that all who commented on my posts to the discussion board were fair and professional.  I am glad that it is a part of each course to use the discussion board as it gives us a chance to see what others are doing or how other are interpreting the information we receive weekly.  In hearing from others, we can allow ourselves to add that insight to our own and will only make our projects stronger.

Blogs

     I had never “blogged” before this class or read a blog before this class.  But it is a valuable tool.  Like the discussion board, our blog provides a platform to present our “masterpiece” on.  Others view it and tell us how they feel we can make it better or not.  It also provides a timeline of events for future reference or reflection time.

     Overall, I am excited to get another course completed and gain another notch in the belt of administration.  I feel I have a much better understanding of how to best complete an action research project as well as use reflection to my benefit.