Course 5301 Reflection

During this course EDLD 5301 Research, I became knowledgeable with the process of “action research” and how it is used in the education arena by educators to improve their practice. Through the process of asking questions, issues are addressed in systematic steps. Discussing topics and viewpoints on the discussion board was an effective way to allow students to comment weekly on individual action research plans.

From this course, I have learned sharing information and proper communication is extremely important and by using a blog I can post my thoughts and wonderings for others to see. It is just as important to provide time for professional conversations and build strong relationships among the participants in order to have true engagement in the process.  
 

Overall, the course has been extremely helpful in building my understanding of designing my action plan template.  I am excited to continue my research and look forward to a positive conclusion with hopes of continuing further studies that will move my school towards an improvement in the use of technology.

Revised Action Research Plan

SCHOOL VISION: Plan of Action-Increase of Mimio Technology Use in the Classroom and With the Students

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GOAL:  In what ways can online collaborative training help classroom teachers gain confidence and increase their skills with    Mimio technology tools and increase the engagement of their students.

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
To collect all data necessary to understand lack of technology use and to identify possibly solutions	Analyze Data -Review technology use survey -Review needs expressed through survey -Interview campus TIS -Meet with small teacher group to discuss issues -Research other teachers’ and schools handling of similar issues -Meet with administration to discuss levels of communication. -Meet with administration to discuss hardware needs.	-Survey Monkey -Blog set up -Access to Mimio Connect -Latest updates on all computers -Meeting room with working Mimio -Research literature and articles -Ability to process weekly  PD hours	Lisa Breaux -Tracy Dalton -Cody Burris	-Review survey information by end of January 2012. -Complete one-on-one meetings with teachers to gauge interest by end of January 2012. -Planning meetings with administration and Tech. teachers by end of January 2012. -Planning meeting with administrative secretary to set up workshop meetings and PD hours by end of January 2012.	-70% of all classroom teachers responded to the technology survey -1% of those responding reported using the Mimio 50% of their classroom teaching time -0% reported using the Mimio with interactive activities 50 % or more of their lesson time. -Interview students to record viewpoints of interactive and engaging lessons. -Other information to follow as research proceeds including a follow-up survey.
Review data collected to gain a deeper understanding of the issue and how teacher motivation and student learning is affected	Developing a deeper understanding -Review blog comments -Meet with individual teachers to discuss feelings, thoughts, and action plan issues -Meet with TIS and lead teachers to discuss technology needs -Provide equipment conflict information to administration -Ask for input of solutions at faculty meeting	Same as listed above	Lisa Breaux -Tracy Dalton -Cody Burris -Erin Tite -Xan Wood -Jessica Jolie	January 30-February 10, 2012
Realize there may not be one solution but many that may be discovered through collaboration and communication	Self-Reflecting -During the initial interviews did the teachers seem interested in learning the new technology? -During the orientation meeting did the teachers want to experience the learning or have lessons handed to them. -What experience do teachers have with on-line learning and blogs? -How descriptive and exact do I need to be in writing the weekly activities and directions? -What challenges may occur as we navigate through an online method of learning? -How will frustration levels be addressed and how may I help keep the experience stress free?	-Feedback from blogs and discussion boards -Feedback from in-person discussions -Time to reflect and reevaluate	Lisa Breaux	-Begin February 6, 2012 and ongoing
With input from the collaborative team, gain an understanding of options available and direction of course of action	Explore Patterns -Meet with administration, TIS, Lead Teacher, and Collaborative Group to discuss possible outcomes	Schedule time to meet with individuals and participants and set up access to shared site	Lisa Breaux	February-April 2012
Create a plan	Determine direction/course of plan	Communication plan and central site for shared reflections	Lisa Breaux	February-April 2012
Implement plan, increasing use of Mimio technology in the classroom	Take Action -Implement the plan with collaborative group using the technology, shared lessons, and providing feedback to team -Continue sharing lessons on shared site and blogging reflections -Change course of action as needed and determined by collaborative group and needs specified	-Blog site Shared campus -Google.doc site for lesson storage	Lisa Breaux -Collaborative Team members -Tracy Dalton, TIS -Lead Teacher	March-April 2012
Implement plan for all  teachers on campus	Sustain Improvement -Train lower grade level teachers in the process and utilize previously trained upper level teachers