Feedback has been the most influential component
of this course for me. I have inquired and received feedback from various
sources throughout the last five weeks. Responses I have received originated
from my site supervisor, instructors, teachers, classmates, students, and
parents. I have learned during the process many others see a need for
reducing dress code referrals to ensure less time in ISS resulting in more
class time. In fact, I have not encountered one individual who has felt
policy is perfect and should not be altered or be aligned with incentives to inspire
students to follow policies in place.
The readings assigned to this class have proved
beneficial as they have pushed me to be more focused on the purpose of my
action research project. For example, I have a clearer, more concise
direction as to the data I will collect. My survey questions have become more
specific to the research I am developing. Instead of asking students if
incentives would encourage them to follow dress code procedures with a yes or
no response, I asked would any of the following incentives motivate you to
comply with procedures. Choices were available to answer instead of just a
yes or no response. Narrowing down the purpose and being specific is a toll I
have incorporated for my action research while I took this course in the master’s
program.
The videos provided in the course were beneficial
in directing my research project. Dr. Timothy Chargois explained the process
in which action research was developed on his campus. He conveyed a specific
procedure that allowed the principal to be the guide for data collection and
development to ensure the protection of students during the process. Dr.
Chargois confirmed the necessity of the principal’s involvement during the
process. Dr. Johnny Briseno discussed the practice of sharing data in order
to improve his campus, as well as other campuses in the district. After
reflecting on his video, my aspiration and hope is to complete an action
research that will improve Brewer Middle School. In addition, I anticipate cultivating
a research project That will improve White Settlement ISD in the process.
The discussion boards and online discussions were
instrumental in answering questions I had while developing my action
research. I discovered most of the time; other students were experiencing
many of the concerns I had during the course. Concerns included data
collection, strategies, organization techniques, collecting research,
blogging, presentation, meeting with site supervisors, etc. We are all in the
same boat so to speak. I realized towards the fourth week everyone has the
same questions and although our projects are different, we are all responsible
for improving each other.
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Friday, March 29, 2013
Reflection
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Updated Action Research
As stated be before in earlier assignments, I
am fortunate to work closely with my principal on a daily basis. This gives me
ample opportunity to discuss my action research project as often as necessary.
He has been extremely supportive and excited since we initially discussed my
project from the onset. One change we did decide to incorporate were by means
of altering the survey questions to reflect what incentives would motivate
students to follow dress code and the one aspect students would change if they
could. Our expectation is that the research will expose the variety of incentives
currently not being offered to students. Furthermore, we anticipate developing
a plan for suggestions to change certain pieces of the dress code policy.
We expect providing students with more
incentives and modifying the current policy will reduce the amount of referrals
and consequently reduce lost time in the classroom.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A standard dress code policy was
implemented in White Settlement Independent School District seven years ago. I
created a survey to gather data recording the perception our eighth grade
students have in regard to the dress code.
The foundation intended for my study is to better understand how
students feel and perceive the dress code currently in place. Moreover, I anticipate creating different
possibilities to motivate and inspire our students to excel with dress code
compliance for the most optimum time in the classroom.
My site supervisor, Brian Bowman,
will continue to direct and assist me throughout the process of my action
research project. I have also asked two teachers to support the
development of my action research project. They are both
eighth grade elective teachers at BMS. They teach Teen Leadership and
Principles of Business and Marketing respectively. Their role in the endeavor is
to take each class to the computer lab and have them complete an online survey
regarding the research project. They will also give proper instructions and
background for the survey.
Participants in the survey are enrolled
in two elective classes called Teen Leadership and Principles of Business and
Marketing. Before students answer the survey, each class will receive the exact
same directions and information prior to completing the questions. First, it will be conveyed to every class
their survey would assist my completion with an action research project at
Lamar University. All students will be
given the opportunity for an alternate assignment if they decided against
answering the survey.
After discussing the reason for the
survey and granting an opportunity for an optional assignment, students will be
informed that their ideas and perceptions will not alter the current dress code
policy at WSISD. Instead, the
information provided to us from each class is to better understand how they
perceive dress code so teachers and administrators can find ways to motivate in
continuance with the regulations at hand. Additionally, creating new ways to
reward those who abide by policies and reward students who struggle with dress
code policy will be a hopeful outcome of the questionnaire.
Finally, the data collected from the
study will be gathered by means of nine questions answered with an online
survey website. After each survey is collected it will be checked by me to
ensure full completion and accuracy. Once the data is collected and reconciled
by me, my site supervisor will then proof the results for any
discrepancies.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Description of Action Research
Action research is a tool for educators to enhance their knowledge about different issues within the educational setting. It is also an avenue for educators to collaborate and share different ideas with each other as well. Action research involves much more than reading relevant books or articles and putting those ideas into a paper or thesis. On the contrary, action research requires the collection and analysis of data. Standard dress code would be a great topic of discussion for action research. It would require a survey of students with a series of questions regarding their perception of dress code. Examples of questions are: Do you like dress code? Do you believe dress code helps cut down on discipline issues? What is your least/most favorite aspect of dress code? Do you feel dress code makes schools safer? Are your parents in favor of dress code? How many dress code violations have you had this year? Do think there should be some form of dress code? The responses could be broken down into sub-populations by gender, ethnicity and race. Upon completing the survey an action research could be developed based on responses given by the students according to their perceptions and relevant text based on the issues pertaining to dress code.
Blogs are an excellent way for educators to share ideas
and information with one another. Moreover, it can be used to gather ideas and disseminate
information to students, parents and community. Many districts are already allowing
teachers and administrators to use blogs in schools for those reasons.
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