Action Research Week One

Upon reading several texts, I have gained a greater understanding about the concept of action research.  Action research is the systematic process of reflection and developing a plan of action based on one's findings.  It allows for personal professional development on a constant basis.  It allows a person to examine areas of strength and weakness and offers them the opportunity to put the knowledge gained to practical use.  It has become evident that the use of action research is continuing to grow.  There are  benefits to using this avenue of research compared to the traditional forms of research.  It becomes more personalized.  The process is ongoing.  The use of action research makes the process more hands-on.  It has been shown that the use of action research, or inquiry, can be extremely beneficial to the educational process.  As an administrator, one can model this behavior in an attempt to initiate a campus-wide movement towards constant reflection.  We, as educators, are always looking for ways to make a greater impact on our students.  Action research gives us the opportunity to do that on a daily basis.  We can find things that reach the students, and we can identify areas that might need improvement.  It can become a valuable professional development tool.