Cowan Research Action Plan (With Revisions)

SCHOOL VISION/MISSON STATEMENT:

The Elizabeth Smith Family is committed to providing an exemplary child-centered school environment. We will maintain high expectations, where all children will experience maximum growth and success in their social, emotional, physical, and academic development. This is achieved through the cooperation of educators, families, and community members in a safe and nurturing environment.

GOAL(S)/QUESTION(S):

How will the implementation of interactive learning technology (Promethean Activ Classroom) assist in increasing teacher confidence in using technology and integrating technology into their curriculum/classroom?

Will the use of this technology play a role increasing the achievement level on the Texas Teacher Star Chart for teachers at ESE?

OUTCOMES:

1. To discover if Promethean Activ Classroom will help teachers gain confidence using technology.
2. To understand if Promethean Activ Classroom will help teachers integrate technology into their curriculum more effectively.
3. To learn if Promethean Activ Classroom will assist in increasing the teacher achievement level on the Texas Teacher Star Chart.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Conduct pre and/or post evaluations to discover: appropriate teachers samples, teacher technology confidence levels and how teachers integrate technology into their curriculum
2. Analyze the Texas Star Chart Survey and notice trends from year to year
3. Interview teachers, administrators, district personnel, and students for insight (one-on-one and group interviews)
4. Create, maintain and document findings from a focus group comprised of teachers and administrators
5. Perform observations (in person or with video) in classrooms and computer labs
6. Collect and analyze samples of lesson plans, student work and assessments
7. Create a website/blog to where teachers, administrators and I may reflect on the progress of the study
8. Research other schools, websites, articles or journals of other people who have conducted similar studies

RESOURCES/RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED:

1. Computer/internet access (search engines, websites, documents)
2. Wiki/Blog sites
3. Recording device (field recorder)
4. Spreadsheet/data analysis software
5. Laptop/Notepad (document interviews and observations)


RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES:

1. Shawntee’ Cowan (myself)
2. Teacher Samples, students of teacher samples and campus teachers
3. Administrators (Damian Patton)
4. Site Mentor (Jan North)

TIME LINE:

Prior to Start of School:

1. Create surveys for discovering: appropriate teachers for samples, teacher technology confidence level, how teachers integrate technology into their curriculum
2. Create a blog for reflection

First Six-Weeks:

1. Conduct pre-surveys for discovering: appropriate teachers for samples, teacher technology confidence level, how teachers integrate technology into their curriculum
2. Interview and determine teachers who will participate in my research study as samples
3. Maintain blog
4. Begin locating documents from the classroom (lesson plans, student work, etc.)
5. Begin literature research from other schools, websites and journals

Second Six-Weeks:

1. Begin weekly walk-through observations in classrooms and labs (looking at teacher use of technology in curriculum, teacher use of technology, student work)
2. Meet with teachers for formal and informal interviews
3. Maintain blog
4. Continue locating documents from the classroom (lesson plans, student work, etc.)
5. Continue research from other schools, websites and journals

Third Six-Weeks:

1. Create and begin meeting with focus group
2. Contact district interview with personnel
3. Continue weekly walk-through observations in classrooms and labs
4. Continue meeting with teachers for informal interviews
5. Maintain blog
6. Continue locating documents from the classroom (lesson plans, student work, etc.)
7. Continue research from other schools, websites and journals

Fourth Six-Weeks:

1. Meet with district personnel for interview regarding the focus and explanation of the purchase of this equipment.
2. Continue meeting with focus group
3. Continue weekly walk-through observations in classrooms and labs
4. Continue meeting with teachers for informal interviews
5. Maintain blog
6. Continue locating documents from the classroom (lesson plans, student work, etc.)
7. Continue research from other schools, websites and journals

Fifth Six-Weeks:

1. Continue meeting with focus group
2. Analyze interview with district personnel
3. Continue weekly walk-through observations in classrooms and labs
4. Continue meeting with teachers for informal interviews
5. Continue research from other schools, websites and journals
6. Maintain blog
7. Continue locating documents from the classroom (lesson plans, student work, etc.)

Six Six-Weeks and Summer:

1. Final meeting with focus group
2. Finalize and analyze weekly walk-through observations in classrooms and labs
3. Final meeting with teachers for formal and informal interviews
4. Interview students of sample teachers
5. Analyze research from other schools, websites and journals and determine its use
6. Conduct post surveys for: Teacher technology confidence level, how teachers integrate technology into their curriculum and student engagement and analyze
7. Reflect on blog journal
8. Analyze of field notes, documents, student work, interviews, observations and any other data.
9. Possibly compare results to Texas Teacher Star Chart
10. Analyze all results and software to create charts, graphs and conclusions.

PROCESS FOR MONITORING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. The use of a timeline (creating benchmarks)
2. Personal/school calendar
3. Web log-journal entries
4. Use of Action Planning Template

BENCHMARKS/ASSESSMENT

1. Surveys/Questionnaires
2. Charts/graphs (compare/contrast)
3. Data Analysis

REVISIONS TO SIP/PIP BASED ON MONITORING AND ASSESSMENTS

1. I decided to remove one of my “wonderings”: How will increasing teacher confidence and the integration of technology into curriculum positively impact student learning? After looking at my timeline, I do not know if I can effectively evaluate so many different topics.

2. I added the use of lesson plans as another form of data.

3. I decided to move "Begin literature reweach from other schols, websites and journals" from the 4th six-weeks to the 1st six-weeks. I feel that it would be more beneficial for me to work on this earlier on in research process.

I have also included my reflection of the “8 Steps” from the Harris text:


Examining the Work: Setting the Foundation:

The needs of my action plan came about from a discussion that I had with my site mentor. Since the district has recently decided to implement the interactive system district-wide, we saw a need to investigate and monitor the pros and cons of the system. The necessity was also found based on our campus needs.

Analyzing Data:

I have started research using the Promethean website, along with others who have researched the same topic for more insight. I have also read books that help me understand the process. I will continue to analyze data throughout my research.

Developing Deeper Understanding:

I have started brainstorming survey questions for my project. I will continue to create and implement other types of data for my research.

Engaging in Self-Reflection:

I am continually self-reflecting. I have added new “wonderings” and I have received more insight from others. I have also learned more about the process through the required text and have been able to implement these ideas. I will continue to self-reflect throughout the project.

Exploring Programmatic Patterns:

My major concern was that the interactive system be implemented on my campus in a timely manner, so I can conduct a proper investigation. My site mentor assured me that this should not be a concern. I will continue to explore these types of patterns with my administrators and my site mentor as well.

Determining Direction:

1. Are you clear on what you are attempting to solve (your research questions)? yes

2. Have you adequately addressed the skills and resources questions? yes

3. Have you established a collaborative approach to the issue? I will when school starts.

4. Are your timelines realistic? yes

5. Do you have a reasonable plan to monitor the project? yes

6. Do you have a reasonable plan for determining the level of success – how do you evaluate if the plan is effective? yes

7. How will you revise and improve the plan based on monitoring and evaluation?
I plan to revise that plan as needed and I will also revisit my plan weekly to be sure that I am on schedule.

Taking Action for School Improvement:

I plan conduct meetings with my sample teacher group as well as a focus group consisting of teachers and administrators.

Sustaining Improvement:

I plan to share the findings of my action research with my online cohorts, my campus, my Technology Applications Collaboration Group, my district and other educators on collaborative sites that I am a member of.

Shawntee’ Cowan
July 31, 2010

Should I Change My Topic For Research?

After viewing the required videos and readings from the Dana and Harris texts, I have decided to take another look at my choice for the action research study. I narrowed my choices down to three different topics of interest. My topics are as follows:

1. The purpose of this research project is to investigate the implementation of interactive learning technology (Promethean Activ Classroom) and to measure how this program will assist in increasing teacher confidence in using technology and integrating technology into their curriculum/classroom.

2. The purpose of this research project is to investigate the implementation of interactive learning technology (Promethean Activ Classroom) and to measure how this program will assist in increasing Elizabeth Smith Elementary TAKS scores in math for 3rd and 4th grade students.

3. The purpose of this research project is to investigate the implementation of interactive learning technology (Promethean Activ Classroom) and to measure how this program will assist in positively motivating students to learn and possess an optimistic outlook on instruction.

After a recent discussion with my site mentor, I am leaning towards choice number one as the topic for my proposed action research study. As mentioned above, the purpose of my study will be to examine how the use of a new interactive learning technology will affect teacher usage and the integration of technology into their instruction. Currently, our school does not have the technology set in place, so I feel this would be a perfect opportunity to do pre-test observations and surveys. Since our campus is part of the second phase for the technology project, my hope is to be able to begin the post-test observations and surveys by the end of the year.

I am now beginning to gain a better understanding of the purpose and advantages of using action research. As a future technology leader, I want to understand and utilize this process in order to be the most effective leader that I can be. Actually implementing this study into my campus or district, will give me the hands-on training and confidence that I need to use action research in the future.

Shawntee’ Cowan

Blogging: An Action Research Data Tool

Blogging or web-logging has become a very important Web 2.0 tool in today’s world. It allows a user to keep a journal of his/her thoughts and feelings. It also permits others to contribute to these thoughts by posting comments. Blogs have the capability to be enhanced with personalized layouts, images, links, attachments and more. Blogging can be a useful instrument for creating data for action research. Educators can use this tool in order to describe thoughts about his/her administrative techniques and performances. This type of tool can also serve as documentation for staff development. Blogs can allow administrators and other leaders to reach out to one another by allowing them to comment and collaborate on various topics. By maintaining an electronic journal; administrators will have the opportunity to keep records of the progress being made in their administration. By being able to go back and see opinions, ideas, struggles and successes, the act of reflection can shape and mold leaders into the successful individuals that they strive to be.

Shawntee' Cowan

Action Research: A Leader's Necessity

After plunging into the world of educational leadership, I have been introduced to a term that I have never been exposed to. The term is known as “action research”. Honestly, I completed related to the descriptions of the misconceptions of this term that were discussed in the Dana text (Dana, 2009, p. ix). When I first heard the term, it conjured up thoughts and feelings of being told to participate in writing some boring research paper that would take many days to find information for and many more days to write a paper on the topic.

What exactly does the term “action research” refer to? I have come to understand that it is not the typical “research paper”. In fact, it almost the complete opposite. Instead of researching for information that someone else has written, you (the leader) are writing the information yourself. It requires a leader to evaluate his/her position and school environment and search for circumstances that are successful that need maintaining and those that are unsuccessful that call for change. It allows the leader to create, analyze and reflect on data pertaining to their topic and determine and act upon a plan. Once they have implemented a successful strategy, then they must focus on continually maintaining improvement.

I am excited about the possibilities of using this type of research as a technology leader in my district. Action research will not only help me to evaluate my own performances, but also allow me to assist others leaders, teachers and schools in assessing their performances as well. I anticipate using action research to discover any concerns that our district is facing regarding technology and reflect upon and generate a plan to improve those concerns. I feel that this recently gained knowledge will play a vital role in the success of my career as a leader.

Shawntee' Cowan

Reference

Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action
Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.