Action Research Plan Revision

Wanda Smith Action Research Plan EDLD 5301 ET8044
Goal: To determine if using an online reading assessment program, Study Island, can help improve student achievement in reading as well as increase their motivation to learn.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Students take a survey on how they feel about reading	Wanda Smith	August 2012	Survey
Students will take the pretest assessment for Study Island	Wanda Smith,	September 2012 December 2012	Study Island Computers/laptops	After students complete the pretest assessment.  The results will show areas of weaknesses. This will help to determine which areas students will focus on.
Students will work on objectives that they scored low in.  They will try to improve their scores in this area.  Students will complete the activities in the “game mode.”	Wanda Smith	September 2012 December 2012 Students will visit the lab once every two weeks for 30-45 minute time frame.	Study Island Computers/laptop	After students complete each objective, their results are recorded. The teacher is able to view the overall results online.   Also students will only be able to work in the “game mode” if they answer the questions correctly.
Compile a spreadsheet of students’ overall results to help show whether there were any improvements.	Wanda Smith	December 2012
Once students have completed all areas of concern, they will be given a survey to complete.	Wanda Smith	December 2012	Survey for each student	The student’s responses to the surveys will be calculated to determine if motivation to learn was increased with the use of the game mode feature.
Review the surveys to gather overall consensus of programs effect on motivating students.	Wanda Smith	December 2012
Share findings of research with department	Wanda Smith	December 2012

Wanda Smith Action Research Plan EDLD 5301 ET8044
Goal: To determine if using an online reading assessment program, Study Island, can help improve student achievement in reading as well as increase their motivation to learn.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Students will take the pretest assessment for Study Island	Wanda Smith,	August 2012 December 2012	Computers/laptops	After students complete the pretest assessment.  The results will show areas of weaknesses. This will help to determine which areas students will focus on.
Students will work on objectives that they scored low in.  They will try to improve their scores in this area.  Students will complete the activities in the “game mode.”	Wanda Smith	August 2012 December 2012	Computers/laptop	After students complete each objective, their results are recorded. The teacher is able to view the overall results online.   Also students will only be able to work in the “game mode” if they answer the questions correctly.
Compile a spreadsheet of students’ overall results to help show whether there were any improvements.	Wanda Smith	December 2012
Once students have completed all areas of concern, they will be given a survey to complete.	Wanda Smith	December 2012	Survey for each student	The student’s responses to the surveys will be calculated to determine if motivation to learn was increased with the use of the game mode feature.
Review the surveys to gather overall consensus of programs effect on motivating students	Wanda Smith	December 2012
Share findings of research with department	Wanda Smith	December 2012

Week 2 Reflection: Action Research

In this week's lessons, I got even better insight into what action research means.  Reading this weeks readings has helped me to come up with a few topics to consider for my own action research. Also watching the videos helped.  One thing that stood out was from the video of Dr. Kirk Lewis.  He made the point of saying that in choosing an action research topic, it should be something practicle. This idea helped me to focus on issues that are relevant to me, because if I can relate to it on a personal level, then I will put more energy in conducting it. 

Educational Leaders and Blogs

Educational leaders can utilize blogs in a variety of ways.  One way would be to set up an online community that could be used to make suggestions for changes that need to be considered and researched in the educational environment. 

Another possible use of blogs is for the educational leader to use the blog as their own personal journal for the research that they are conducting.  The blog could include the progress that is being made on the research.  It could also serve as a place for others to make suggestions and provide insight that the educational leader may not have had. 

What I Have Learned About Action Research

I’ve learned that action research is a way for someone to identify changes that need to be made, research the ideas, and then reflect on what was found out.  As an educator, action research can be used by teachers as well as administrators.  As a teacher, using action research can help to identify some solutions to many things that are associated with teaching.  Administrator can use action research to help identify and provide solutions to ongoing issues and concerns that are happening with the school. 

When I think of action research, it brings to mind many concerns I have as a teacher that I think that need to be improved upon.  A big concern that I have is getting students motivated to want to learn.  The concern for wanting to be successful seems to be diminishing.  This is a concern that many of my co-workers share as well.  There needs to be something put in place to change this.  Teachers and administrators both can work together to find solutions to this problem.  Action research is also beneficial on a personal level.  As an educator, I can use action research to see if there are areas that I can improve upon in my teaching.