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