Week 2 Reflection

From this week, I have learned that if you are going to do an action research project, you cannot do it by yourself and be successful.  From the videos to the readings, for every action research that everyone talked about, they all stated how people on the campus or in the district worked together to have the outcome they wanted.  This makes me realize that it not only takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to seek out ways to make improvements for that child(ren).  I am excited yet nervous at the same time going into this action research project.  I know there are not going to be "right or wrong" answers, but putting something in place to see if it works or not.  And that is what I am most fearful of....what if my action research project doesn't work like I want it?  Then I am going to constantly be thinking, "what could I have done differently?"  However, on the flip side, I will be jumping with joy if it does work!  Oh the roller coaster of emotions I am on!!

Analysis of how educational leaders might use blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs for many different things. They can create a blog site for the faculty to use to help with communication, answer questions, and even get feedback. They can create a blog site for members of the community to give them information about what is going on in their school such a music programs, fundraisers, or information on how they can help support student achievement. I would think that blogs are a great resource to use to make sure that everyone is up to date with information, because as long as you follow, you should be kept in the loop.

What have I learned about Action Research and How I might be able to use it

From my understanding, action research is a tool that anyone can use to find out any information they are looking for by using what is around them.  It allows for a sense of unity and allows for members of the research team to "buy in" to the research by allowing them to get their hands dirty to find the answers.  It is also a good way to allow yourself to ask for the help of others who are or have been in the same situtation.  Action research can be molded to fit what you need.  It is not a cookie cut research.  When doing an action research project, you are typically wanting to bring some kind of change to your school.  Therefore, it has to be more personal and more fitting to your school's needs.

I would like to use action research to determine whether or not playing music in the background while students are taking tests have any effect on the scores.  To find out this information, I plan to do a series of tests throughout the course of the year for a specific grade level.  I will have a controlled group that will listen to a preselected set of songs and a non controlled group that will not have any music at all.  By the end of the year, I hope to have enough evidence to determine if there is any effect on the test scores.