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.