Learing about Action Research

In reading the Nancy Fichtman Dana text Leading with Passion and Knowledge, it seems like she's simply putting a name to something that I've always believed. If you're going to change what you're doing, you need a reason for it other than change for change's sake.

One of my first introductions to Action Research was at a Jeff Anderson workshop for grammar instruction. He told everyone in the ball-room that if they haven't read the report Writing Next, that it should be the first thing they do when they left the workshop. It was an in your face meta-research report that outlined research based methods to improve writing instruction. It wasn't simply Mr. Anderson telling me what worked in his classroom, but studies and strategies that were time-tested and proven to improve student skills. Now, I try to make decisions in my classroom and my curriculum that aren't simply my idea, but based in research. This allows me to streamline my instruction and my budget to invest in programs that aren't simply the latest fad in eduction.

In the course of my internship, I plan on using several action-based research topics. Some ideas are: Apple Computer's Challenge Based Learning model, The effectiveness of TAKS tutorials, and Assessment in the classroom. I'm hoping to help my campus leaders in their assessment of campus programs and efficient ways of integrating these strategies to make us the best campus that we can be.