Friday, August 5, 2011

Meeting/Conversation With My Site Supervisor

Since we have been out for summer vacation, it has been impossible for me to meet with my site supervisor. I have been able to email her and talk to her on the phone. She has been out of town for most of the summer; therefore, all communication has been difficult.

I did talk to her this week and she looked over my action research plan (via email). She had great things to say about my choice of topic and the ideas I have. She suggested a few resources for me to use when I start the actual research process. She and I agreed to meet and discuss my research further when school starts back in 2 weeks.

I did, however, get some postive feedback.

To all of my classmates, please look at my action research plan and give me any suggestions or feedback that you can. I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!!!

Kristi B.'s Action Research Plan - Please give me some feedback:)

Kristi Butcher
L20278622
EDLD 5301 – Week 3
Lamar University
July 29, 2011

Week 3 – Part 2
Developing an Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: TO RESEARCH, IMPLEMENT, AND COLLECT DATA ON THE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES THE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER CAN USE TO BETTER MOTIVATE THEIR STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST ACADEMIC POTENTIAL
Action Steps(s):
Person(s) Responsible:
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation
  1. (reflect & brainstorm)
Brainstorm and make a list of effective strategies I have used to motivate my students.








myself
August 1 – 15, 2011
Lesson plan notebooks – my plans from past years to refresh my memory
Take notes and make a list of strategies
2. (interviews)
Interview other teachers and several assistant principals and 2. Continued make notes over the strategies they have used and found effective in motivating students to perform at a higher level







Teachers:
K. Eixman
D. Pauley
M. Harrold
B. Isom
C. Kimble

Asst. Principals:
K. Taylor
A. Causey
August/Sept.
2011



August/Sept.
2011
List of questions for the interviews, other teachers, asst. principals
Questions, several teachers and several asst. principals
Review notes and comments from each interview

Review notes, collect and evaluate the data and comments

Reflect over the comments and discussion in each interview
3. (research literature)
Research on the internet – Motivational Strategies in the High School Classroom








Educational magazines

Internet articles

Other classmates’ research findings

Other districts’ strategies
November
2011 – January 2012
Internet
Educational magazines
Weblogs

Compare the data and information I gather and experiment the strategies in my own classroom
Possibly share with two other teachers and have them experiment and record the outcome
4. (teacher surveys)

Develop a teacher survey and have 25+ teachers complete the surveys and return to me
_____________________
5. (student surveys)
Develop a student survey form and survey students from each grade level
___________________
6. (reflect and experiment in my classroom with different strategies)


_____________________
7. (reflect on research, share, and get feedback from peers through journaling & weblogs)

_____________________
8. (collect and analyze data) through students’ increased performance on standardized test scores and classroom/progress reports
Survey 40+ teachers




___________
Students in grades 9-12


___________
My students and myself




___________

Myself
Peers
EDLD professors and fellow classmates

___________
students

December
2011 – January 2012

__________
January 2012


__________
January 2012 – April 2012




__________

October 2011 – May 2012



__________
October 2011- May 2012

Survey form
teachers in my high school
_________
Survey form and students

_________
Data collected on motivational
Strategies



_________
Internet blog
Journal
Data collected


_________
Texas TAKS/STARR test scores
Students’ performance in class/progress reports for each 9 week grading period

Compare  data & results collected from surveys


_________
Compare data and results to teacher survey
________
Keep a detailed log/
Journal of how students respond to the various strategies and if performance increases
_________
Get feedback from professors and fellow classmates through blogs,
analyze notes in
journal and data collected/results
_________
Compare the students’ benchmark scores to their STARR test scores, review their progress reports for each 9 weeks

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools
(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Kristi B.'s Action Research Project: Action Research...How to Use It

Kristi B.'s Action Research Project: Action Research...How to Use It: "Action Research: What I Have Learned and How To Use It Action research may be a new 'title' for me; but, the philosophy or idea is not new..."

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Action Research...How to Use It

Action Research: What I Have Learned and How To Use It

Action research may be a new "title" for me; but, the philosophy or idea is not new. In my district, we promote student-based learning. This approach to learning encourages the student to be more actively involved in the learning process. Instead of the traditional lecturing from the teacher, where the teacher gives the information, the students would be given an assignment, an objective, or focus questions. The student, whether individually or within small groups, would then read or research the topic, discuss, draw conclusions, analyze, and possibly prepare a presentation to teach or inform their classmates. This concept or approach to learning makes the student responsible for their learning. It promotes "hands on" learning and encourages active participation from the student. This approach to teaching is the same as what our book describes as active research.

In our inservice training, we rarely have information given to us. We usually have a brief introduction or explanation of a new concept. Then, usually in small groups, we are given the tools to find the answers, discuss, research, and analyze how we could incorporate the idea into our own teaching techniques. Through this process. of action research., we often learn the advantages to using the new approach or concept. By having the learner involved in the research, whether it is students or professionals, it promotes a higher level of interest and helps the learner to retain the information.

In my classroom, English I and IV, I use action research on a regular basis. One way I use action research is by putting my students into small groups. Then, I assign a different section of reading to each group (sometimes referred to as chunking). The group has to read, discuss, analyze, and sometimes apply what they have read. This creates a "hands on" approach and helps the weaker students as well. After they have read and discussed the content, they have to present the information or teach the material to the rest of the class. Depending on the content of what we are learning, the group assignment varies.

USING BLOGS IN EDUCATION:

As educators, we are all aware of how our students are so technologically savy. We also face the challenges of keeping the students interested in learning and keeping them motivated. I think BLOGS would be a great way to encurage student discussions about the content they are learning. If they are on the computer, they are actively engaged in their learning. The BLOGS could help all students to better understand the content and hopefully increase their interest in what we are learning. In group discussions, some of the shy or lazier students sit back and let the others do the talking/discussing. If every student had to enter a blog, they would be forced to participate. If they knew their classmates were going to read their blogs, they would, hopefully, feel more motivated to particiapate. As an English teacher, I encourage any and all types of writing. I just want them to WRITE!!!