Action Research... What it is.....What I've learned......

Action research is the latest trend in research based inquiry. The intent of action research is to bring about change through a systematic process that begins with a "wondering".  We have all asked ourselves why things are as they are and if those "things" really work.  Action research allows us to look at the needs of our campus and collaborate the inquiry question to yield results.  After the campus leader or staff member comes up with an area of interest, concern, or inquiry, steps are taken to gather data, analyze data, reflect on the data, and ultimately to create a plan that is going to thrust the campus in a direction that will allow students to be very successful.  Action research is a result of reflecting on your current practice and gathering data to make campus improvements.  The more data you can collect from multiple sources, the better insight you will gain into your action research project.  Action research enables a campus to look deep inside the campus and reflect on what is and isn't working.  The knowledge gained should drive your plan to improve the campus.  As an aspiring leader, I have learned that action research is more beneficial to the campus because it addresses the specific needs of the school.  I have learned that although it will require a creative use of my time, it is imperative that time be made to conduct action research projects well.  Leaders must show that they care about the "inquiry" to make time to do some action research.