Acion Research Topic - modified and updated

After oraginzing my data, I have decided to modify my action reasearch topic. Before I was looking to start online professional development for teachers to receive training on their specific subject areas but I have now decided to modify the direction I want to go. Below you will see the idea that I am now going to try and press.

I was not able to meet with my site supervisors due to weather issues and another attending the TCEA conference this week but I was able to get feedback from our Director of Assessment and Organizational Development who is in charge of professional development for the staff at our district. She made a few suggestions about my survey before I sent it out to make sure that my questions will generate answers that can be used for my topic. She also suggested I try to keep the survey from being too long to not discourage the survey takers from actually taking it. After I set out my survey with Survey Monkey, I noticed that I have had over 100 responses but the free version only allows me to see the first 100 responses so my site supervisor is checking to see if I can transfer my results over to the district version which is already paid for to get all of my data that I need. I also asked our professional development director if there was a way to collect some data on how many teachers have signed up for trainings and what teachers are actually signing up for as well but I am still waiting on the results.

As I stated in part 3 of my assignment, I think trying to get online professional development is not going to be the area I am focusing on, based off the data that I am receiving so far. I think I will look into trying to find a way through forums or some other online tool for teachers to discuss ideas of their specific subject areas to others across the state. This way teachers can share ideas that they have that is working, documents and lessons that have been created and post problems that have been coming up to look for solutions. As the saying goes, why try to recreate the wheel if others have already solved that problem that you are having.

CARE Model

Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool ( I am letting 1 be the most important and 3 be the lest impoin my list)

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)

(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Increased costs of traditional professional development.

2. Time spent outside of school for professional development and missed time of instruction during the school day.

3. Professional development training geared to specific areas of need, not a general area.

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)

(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Continue offering a wide variety of trainings to all employees.

2. Continue with planning periods that allows teachers in same subject areas or teams to meet to discuss any changes or concerns that they have.

3. Continue to offer trainings on technology and the implementations in the classroom setting.

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:

(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)

(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)

1. Offer online collaborations with others outside the district to discuss ideas.

2. Offer more trainings to those who are in elective classes, most do not feel that they are getting an adequate training or a variety of courses.

3. Encourage employees to take part in online courses by making the process easy and not another burden they feel they have to do.

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often

(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)

1. Compare the amount of people who are taking part in online trainings versus the amount going through traditional route.

2. Look for an increase or decrease in trends of data in the amount of attendance.

3. Use a survey for evaluation process to see what is working and what improvements are needed to be made.

Draft Action Research Plan

1. Setting the foundation:
   

At the high school level, more and more classes are being offered to students, yet there is very little that is available to teachers to help them stay up to date on their teaching areas. As technology improves, so must professional development. Professional development should no longer focus in on a one size fits all approach as this can waste time of staff and create a negative attitude in work. Also, with technology, more can be gained collaborating with other teachers in the same teaching area across the state. Also, I know from a personal standpoint, I never like missing a day of instruction unless I really must as preparing for a sub takes more time than the actual lesson itself. Once again, technology for professional development is still a new idea that could be cost effective and beneficial time wise as well.

1. Analyzing the data:
   

Over the last few years, teachers have always signed up for professional development. Most of the time it could be a fellow teacher presenting to a K-12 audience where the presenter's expertise is elementary based without any secondary experience, or vice versa. Not that this is a bad thing but the traditional ways of delivering instruction is now a days no longer the most efficient way. If we are trying to integrate technology into our instruction as teachers to students, shouldn't teachers practice this as well?

1. Developing deeper understanding:
   

I have gone over my proposed plan with my campus principal and our professional development coordinator. I created a survey through Survey Monkey that I emailed out to the district focusing on the needs teachers think they may need to help with their course that they teach. I also asked in the survey how open teachers would be with online collaboration and about meeting with teachers online throughout the state. I am also developing ideas that could get these ideas started through a few online trainings.

1. Self-reflection:
   

Self-reflection will and should be an ongoing process. I will analyze and share the results of my survey with professional development and technology to try and implement some online professional development that is based on interactions not self study. I do not think that by reading a book and answering questions does not help the teacher with the area of concern. Interacting and sharing ideas with peers can provide a much deeper understanding. I will be trying to find ways to improve these interactions and communicate on a consistent basis with those needed to be informed.

1. Exploring problematic patterns:
   

Possible issues could be trying to find time to come up with a strategic plan that will involve opinions of teachers who are currently at their busiest time of the year due to TAKS preparations. To develop an efficient collaboration, finding a way to contact other districts could also be a difficult issue and trying to find a way for hours to be given through a nontraditional setting.

1. Determining direction:
   

I may start out trying to find a department that would be interested in this development, possibly an elective class. I will try to help out as much as necessary but will try to stay out of the way and let the interactions be from cooperating teachers to share ideas and thoughts that they have.

1. Taking action for school improvement:
   

I will try and keep everyone updated on the progress of the action research plan and still search for other ideas to integrate technology to keep teachers in contact with those in the same subject area.

1. Sustain improvement:
   

I will be looking to constantly improve on my action research plan until I am satisfied with the results. For this plan to be effective it will need the cooperation of those involved to also offer input for improvement.