Action Research-What I have learned

What I have learned about action research is that it is a very reflective process. Action research can be used in many educational settings such as in university coursework, superintendent/district meetings, leadership teams, and professional learning communities. School administrators use action research to help them become better leaders and to improve student learning in their school building. Where as other types of research focuses on outside groups, action research focuses and happens on your campus. The process of action research is that of a cycle. The administrator will begin by reflecting on his/her practice and then gathering data through input, scores, interviews, journals, surveys, etc. This is most beneficial when done collaboratively with a group of staff from the campus. Together they can help identify a wondering or area in need of improvement. Then the search begins through literature research to find a possible strategy that might help make improvements in the identified area. A plan of action is created and the strategy is implemented for a specific period of time. After which more reflection is required to determine how successful the strategy was in making improvement in the identified area. Thus the process repeats itself in a cycle that begins and ends with reflection.
As a current classroom teacher and student in a Master's program for Instructional Technology Leadership, I feel I would best be able to use action research to reflect on how well I have implemented the use of technology in my classroom. There is definitely room for improvement in terms of technology integration in my classroom with my students. I would say that my wondering includes how to better integrate technology for instruction and for student's to use effectively and efficiently. Thus begins my search through action research!