This particular course has been very challenging for me, as the introspection and the reflections required do not come very easily for me yet. l enjoyed reading the Dana book, Leading With Passion and Knowledge, especially the reflections and the anecdotes written by the administrators. The most valuable part of this course has been the collaboration that has happened within my class, with my small group from 5306. They were a tremendous help to me as a sounding board and giving me very valuable input on my research plan. When we were confused, we figured out whatever the puzzle was together.
The video lectures were very beneficial to me, explaining the different components of the Action Research Plan. During week 2, I found the interviews with the three Doctoral graduates to be especially helpful. The interview that inspired me the most was Interview 3, with Dr. Kirk Lewis. He was discussing the action research plan and the importance of picking out a topic that was functional, rather than abstract, as well as personally important to the researcher. He pointed out that would hold the researcher’s attention better, make the final result more important to the researcher, and be more beneficial to the school in the long run. In his words, “…if it’s not practical, and it cannot be applied to your particular situation, it just hasn’t done much good” (Lamar University, 2011). These words were very powerful for me, and helped guide me to my final choice for my action research project. Of the three inquiries I was considering, I chose the one that was the most personal for me.
The video lectures were very beneficial to me, explaining the different components of the Action Research Plan. During week 2, I found the interviews with the three Doctoral graduates to be especially helpful. The interview that inspired me the most was Interview 3, with Dr. Kirk Lewis. He was discussing the action research plan and the importance of picking out a topic that was functional, rather than abstract, as well as personally important to the researcher. He pointed out that would hold the researcher’s attention better, make the final result more important to the researcher, and be more beneficial to the school in the long run. In his words, “…if it’s not practical, and it cannot be applied to your particular situation, it just hasn’t done much good” (Lamar University, 2011). These words were very powerful for me, and helped guide me to my final choice for my action research project. Of the three inquiries I was considering, I chose the one that was the most personal for me.
I was also very impressed by the interview with Dr. Johnny Briseño, Principal of Rancho Isabella Elementary, Angleton ISD, but for a different reason. He began his interview by stating, “We don’t make decisions without looking at data first” (Lamar University, 2011). Dr. Briseño expounded upon his statement by saying that no matter what problem a teacher comes to him with, his first questions to that teacher concern identification of the problem and the source of the identification. He went on to say that data is more than test scores: researchers need to look at home life, talk to teachers, and examine other environmental factors. His statements brought home how important appropriate data collection is in action research. In the interview, it also came across how important this type of research was to him, and also how much he trusts his faculty to conduct it in a thoughtful, constructive manner. I liked the way he focused on positive aspects of research: “What are others doing right?” instead of, “What are we doing wrong?” (Lamar University, 2011).
The discussion boards and blogs were extremely constructive, more so in this class rather than the last class, because they dealt specifically with our projects. I like exchanging thoughts with the members of my class. They have a lot of experience and view things from different perspectives; their knowledge and ideas contributed a lot to my plan. Dr. Jenkins stated in the fourth video lecture, “we sincerely… hope the friends and associations you make in our class will become part of your professional network for years to come” (Lamar University, 2011) I hope so as well.
Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal As Action
Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Lamar University. (Producer). (2011). Interview 1: Johnny Briseno [Embedded video].
Beaumont, Texas: Lamar University.
Lamar University. (Producer). (2011). Interview 3: Dr. Kirk Lewis [Embedded video].
Beaumont, Texas: Lamar University.
Lamar University. (Producer). (2011). Week 4 Introduction [Embedded video].
Beaumont, Texas: Lamar University.
