5301 Reflections

Looking back over the past five weeks has made me realize I got way more than I bargained for from EDLD 5301. I had an idea of what a class titled “research” would consist of, but I found my ideas were far from what I ended up learning. Overall, the class provided me with a very clear definition of action research and what I feel is a wealth of information on implementing action research in my professional career. Through lectures, readings, discussion boards, and blogs, I’ve developed a deep understanding of a tool I’ll be sure to use immediately.

The assignments in this course really allowed me to review and reflect on the valuable information found in both the lectures and readings. Although I sometimes found myself spending hours wrapping my brain around a specific writing assignment, I always ended up with a deep understanding of the topic being addressed. Aside from the usual writing assignments I had each week, the action research plan (ARP) template I had to fill out in week three was extremely helpful. Filling out the ARP template really gave me a vision for the scope of my research. It allowed me to take a step back and see my plan as a whole and made it easy for me to see gaps that needed to be filled in, specifically in the area of data collection and analysis. This template was also crucial in allowing others in my class to provide comments and thoughts.

Everything this course offered me really helped me to understand action research. I know I will be promoting action research within my school this year as we face old and new issues. I’m thankful I have plenty of great resources from this course to offer anyone interested in the topic, and I look forward to developing an even deeper understanding of the power of action research.

ARP Revisions

As a science teacher (I feel pompous saying scientist), I'm quite familiar with the scientific method.  A unique aspect of action research, to me, is how closely it follows the method scientists use to find clear results.  This week's assignment to review peer comments reminds me of the all-to-often forgotten "publish for review" step of the method.  I've always taught this step as a side note by simply saying something like, "And if you think you have significant results, then you can publish your work and let others criticize it!"  For years I'd always roll my eyes (in my mind) as I thought, "Who's gonna take the time to get a publisher and do that?!"  Welcome to the 21st century where you can publish via a blog!  Long story short, I'm very thankful for the feedback I've received from my peers on my ARP.  This feedback has led me to make a few key changes to the ARP itself and to one particular survey I'll be giving.

In reading a comment from a peer, I noticed they used the wrong acronym for State Board of Education.  This made me wonder why.  I went back to look at my ARP and noticed I was the culprit! I’ve since changed my error.  Another comment of interest was one of concern for the delivery of chosen materials.  I’d simply placed wordage from the SBOE in my ARP concerning the timeline of the materials being delivered, but two people made comments they were worried our campus would get materials too late.  These comments led me to abandon the SBOE wordage and make a deadline of my own.  This deadline will be easily attained if I follow the timeline of the rest of my ARP.  A final comment resonated with me because it came from a fellow MS science teacher who could relate.  She mentioned her district would continue to use the supplemental approach that most schools in TX have been using since 2009 and not put all their eggs in one basket.  This topic was discussed amongst teachers in my district two weeks ago.  We all felt like we could move forward without a designated instructional material too.  Although this comment won’t show up as a revision in my ARP, it has led me to change one of the surveys for teachers that I’ll be giving during the year.  

Action Research Plan

Instructional Materials Research Plan
Goal:  Determine the best choice of instructional materials to be offered by the State Board of Education (SBOC) in school year 2014-2015 for 6th-8th grade science at Argyle Middle School.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Review current materials from publishers who have placed bids to the SBOC.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams, Natalie Coonrod, Bobby Morse, Scott Gibson, Chris Daniel	7/19/2013 8/1/2013	TEA Document: “Proclamation 2014 Publishing Companies with Materials Under Consideration for Adoption”	Meet to discuss front runners and favorites among listed publishers.
Research instructional materials favored by 6th-8th grade science staff.	John Baker	8/1/2013 8/5/2013	Google search for reviews of favored materials, email and phone conversations with teachers currently using favored materials and publishers of the materials.	Reflection on data gathered from searches and contacts.
Choose instructional materials for the 2013-2014 school year.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams, Natalie Coonrod, Bobby Morse, Scott Gibson, Chris Daniel	8/6/2013 8/8/2013	Meeting room, sample materials from selected publishers. Information from research done by Baker.	Based on data, come to an agreement on materials to be used.
Selection of grade-level-focus groups.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams, Natalie Coonrod, Bobby Morse	8/21/2013 8/22/2013	2013 class schedules and rosters for 6th-8th grades.	Survey #1.
Instructional materials survey creation.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams	8/23/2013 8/23/2013	Google docs.	Survey #1 reflection.
Implement selected instructional materials.	6th-8th grade science staff.	8/26/2013 6/6/2014	Selected instructional materials (most likely Stemscopes).	Survey data from teachers, students, and parents.
Teacher, student, parent survey of selected materials #1.	John Baker (lead), 6th-8th grade teachers, students, and parents	9/23/2013 10/4/2013	Instructional materials online evaluation form.	Analyze form data.  Meet with 6th-8th grade teachers.
Reflection on data from survey #1.	John Baker (lead), 6th-8th grade teachers.	10/7/2013 10/7/2013	Data from survey #1.	Survey #2.
Instructional materials evaluation form creation.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams	10/7/2013 10/7/2013	Data from survey #1, teacher input on instructional material needs.	Adopted materials preview debriefing.
Region XI SBOC adopted materials preview.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams	10/25/2013 10/25/2013	Adopted materials evaluation form.	Discuss evaluation forms with those in attendance.
Teacher, student, parent survey of selected materials #2.	John Baker (lead), 6th-8th grade teachers, students, and parents	12/9/2013 12/14/2013	Instructional materials online evaluation form.	Analyze form data.  Meet with 6th-8th grade teachers.
Reflection on data from survey #2.	John Baker (lead), 6th-8th grade teachers.	12/19/2013 12/20/2013	Data from survey #2.	Survey #3.
Review of current materials and impressions of materials from SBOC preview.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams, Natalie Coonrod, Bobby Morse	1/6/2014 1/6/2014	Survey #1 & #2 data, evaluation forms from SBOC materials preview.	Debrief at the conclusion of the meeting. Determine if further discussion is needed.
Teacher, student, parent survey of selected materials #3.	John Baker (lead), 6th-8th grade teachers, students, and parents	3/3/2014 3/7/2014	Instructional materials online evaluation form.	Analyze form data.  Meet with 6th-8th grade teachers.
Reflection on data from survey #3.	John Baker (lead), 6th-8th grade teachers.	3/17/2014 3/17/2014	Data from survey #3.	Selection meeting on 3/24/2014.
Selection of SBOC adopted instructional materials for 2014-2015 school year.	John Baker, Barbara Hayden, Misty Whitworth, Brenda Williams, Natalie Coonrod, Bobby Morse, Scott Gibson, Chris Daniel	3/24/2014 3/24/2014	Data from 1/6/2014 meeting, data from survey #3, SBOC adopted instructional materials samples.	Reflection on current instructional materials.  Evaluation form for selected instructional materials.
Submit order for 2014-2015 instructional materials.	Chris Daniel	4/1/2014 4/30/2014	EMAT	Ensure order was placed.
Receive instructional materials from publisher.	Scott Gibson	6/1/2014 8/1/2014	N/A	Ensure materials were delivered no less than 10 days before the start of the school year.
Implement selected adopted materials.	6th-8th grade science staff.	8/26/2013 6/6/2014	Selected instructional materials.	Survey data from teachers, students, and parents.