Final Reflection of Course 2 in Research

   Beginning this course, the Dana text presented the reader with a day in the life of a principal or even just a portion of the day of a principal. Looking inward the demands on a principal seem overwhelming and unrelenting. Then we are shown the style and formatting of action research that is suggested to be used as a reflective approach to analyzing major school improvements to daily routines. One of the major themes of this course has been creating a shared vision with faculty and staff. This shared vision can create a compelling vision that takes people to a new place, and to translate that vision into action. (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010)

    Another underlining theme this course has been the word action. Action is the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim. In this course the aim is shared vision and the ability to use the resources on campus to work towards this vision. School leadership will play a major role in keeping a shared vision in action. Administrations engagement in inquiry is one vehicle for making reflection purposeful and visible. (Dana, 2009)

    Action research can take on many different forms ranging from curriculum, individual teacher, individual student, leadership, and also school culture. The design of the research is the main component that keep thoughts and findings organized and user friendly. When organizing your action research have a clearly stated purpose and wonderings that you wish to seek data for within the research process. Once these are in place, select you method of finding data, collection of data needs to be precise and viable. Setting a timeline will help with staying on track and to show progression in the research. Analyzing data can be the ending but also just be the beginning of the research. Some projects may be open-ended while others will have a concise conclusion, in either final steps will be analyzing data collected.

    The CARE Model is another method used to examine improvement with a focus on sustainability while building for the future. (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010) This model emphasizes for components that are concerns, affirmations, recommendations and evaluations. Many times administration and faculty will just focus on changes that need to be made and lose the vision of what is working for the school and its counter parts.