This action research course has opened my eyes in both a positive and negative way. After reading comments on the discussion board I have a feeling that I am not alone in how I feel. Many of the comments I have read I can appreciate in my own situation.
The course has opened my eyes in a negative way because I can see how much I do not know and how much I do not understand. The process of an action research is not what I expected it to be for the most part. Another negative impact I have discovered is the fact that I am short on time to put into this. As an acting principal, coach, husband, father I was already stretched thin. Then I added the hat of being a student. Now I will be working on classes AND an action research project. My time management skills are going to have to improve in order for me to fulfill each of the duties for each of those responsibilities.
The positives for me start with being exposed to the different methods of gathering input. I was especially intrigued by the Delphi Method and the Force Field Analysis. In trying to come up with ways to change the perceptions of others, I can see the force field analysis being very productive. Knowing the road blocks to being able to implement new ideas and coming up with ideas around those road blocks ahead of time will be beneficial. With the Delphi method, giving committee members a problem and allowing for anonymous contributions should help give me honest answers and allowing them to rank the ideas will help me see which ones they can get behind the easiest. The nominal technique will be useful in trying to come up with the problems to address with to begin with. Again, allowing the group members to rank the problems will help me to see the issues our school is facing that are causing the most damage.
Another positive for me was discovering that I would be able to use the help of others in my action research. I am relatively new to the community and being able to call on the people who have been in Paducah for years will give me a wealth of information at my fingertips. Being able to use other people also brings to mind, no pun intended, “Two heads are better than one.” In this case, multiple heads are better than one. Finally, it takes a village to raise one child. For our school, it will take a community to raise our children and give them the education they deserve and to change the perception of the community members that has resulted in students leaving our district based off of incidents that happened in the past.
Finally, a crucial part of this class has been the discussion boards. Being able to read about the issues being faced by my peers has shown me that there are similar problems all across the state. Being able to share these problems will allow us to see how others attack these problems and the results that they realize through their action research. This will allow us an opportunity to see tested methods and modify them to be utilized at our own campuses.
