What I've learned about action research...

Action research is a process that serves administrators and teachers as their own ongoing professional development that is focused on student learning and school improvement. As an administrator the first step of conducting action research is to reflect on my own practice, inquiring and identifying a practice in need of improvement. I then must collect and analyze data that will help me develop a plan of action and that will help me answer specific inquiries. The next step to action research is to study and learn ways that will bring about changes that will improve the specific practice. Implementation of the new practice follows, along with evaluation and reflection. As soon as the new practice shows positive and measurable results, it is institutionalized and the process begins again with a new inquiry. Simply put, Principals ‘take charge of their own professional development, and become the ‘head learner’ of their school’ (Dana, 2009).
The main difference between administrative inquiry or action research and traditional educational research is that, instead of someone from the outside going into a principal’s school or into a district to conduct an audit, ask questions, and tell them what to do to ‘fix’ a problem area, it is all done within. When principals conduct administrative inquiry they experience a sense of ownership, which will bring about actual change.
I also learned that there are several benefits when engaging in inquiry. It eliminates the norm of working in isolation since the principal is engaged in a real professional learning community. Also, the principal becomes a role model for his staff and students demonstrating the value of life-long learning. Additionally, instruction and learning improves with all of the continuous professional studying. Lastly, the principal’ pace naturally slows down since time for reflection is such a vital part of the process (Dana, 2009).
I will definitely be able to use this process with my leadership team as the tool to improve teaching practices and student learning. I will also use it for my own professional development.