Blogging combined with RSS feeds and a commitment to posting would allow individuals to share anything with the world at anytime. In education we are consistently in pursuit of knowledge. Blogging could be the vehicle to deliver information freely with relevance to an audience in search of answers. I use other peoples' blogs to gather information in mass quantities. I see benefits in this beyond any other tool for gathering information.
This is what I do... I have complied a blog list in "Google Reader." As I come across a blog that is relevant to me, either personally or professionally, I subscribe to that blog via a RSS feed. That feed will deliver any new post to my Google Reader account instantly. This allows me to review and possibly read from hundreds of blogs in one place at one time. I call it my own personal electronic newspaper, delivered daily, with only the information I want. The reader allows me to save relevant posts and discard the less relevant.
In our Superintendent course we are required to create a blog. Well, if we would all place the RSS feed gadget on our blogs, we could go through the steps above and receive any new post without having to navigate through around 11 blogs.
This is one tool I love. It makes my life easier. It allows me to access the huge bank of information on the internet without the burden of searching. It is delivered to me. So as I look to uses for blogs in education, I can see the benefit for sharing, but the larger benefit is compiling that information from multiple sources. It changed my life.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Action Research
Action research is defined as "Action" in a process of reflective problem solving through collaboration among stakeholders to make data driven decisions. Now that definition is wordy and somewhat confusing, so in simpler terms, action research is collaborative problem solving based on research.
What a concept! Making decisions based on data rather than perception. There is no denying the benefits of looking into the world of information we have at our finger tips and weeding through it to find what is relevant to us. Then applying it to provide what is best for students in education can truly be positively impacting.
A smaller use of action research, but no less relevant, is the PLC model. If done with student data as the driver of all conversations, they will turn quickly toward student improvement and identification of needs and strengths through quantitative data in a collaborative setting. The impact could be astounding.
The action research cycle of identifying problems, planning, action, and reflection is the model required for all Federal Grant programs. Any LEA accepting money from a Federal Grant is required to plan, implement, and reflect on their programs annually. I think it is no surprise that these grant programs, encompassing large piles of money, require a process that will ultimately yield direct benefits to the educational setting. I hear throughout the state that this process is being done, but not with the level of detail needed.
I have never read about "Action Research," or seen a definition, but now that the wool has been removed from my eyes, I can see how LEAs are currently using it. I can also see how an emphasis in PLCs with the action research model could dramatically impact student performance.
I am sure there are many ways this process can be implemented in LEA, and I cannot wait to investigate more.
What a concept! Making decisions based on data rather than perception. There is no denying the benefits of looking into the world of information we have at our finger tips and weeding through it to find what is relevant to us. Then applying it to provide what is best for students in education can truly be positively impacting.
A smaller use of action research, but no less relevant, is the PLC model. If done with student data as the driver of all conversations, they will turn quickly toward student improvement and identification of needs and strengths through quantitative data in a collaborative setting. The impact could be astounding.
The action research cycle of identifying problems, planning, action, and reflection is the model required for all Federal Grant programs. Any LEA accepting money from a Federal Grant is required to plan, implement, and reflect on their programs annually. I think it is no surprise that these grant programs, encompassing large piles of money, require a process that will ultimately yield direct benefits to the educational setting. I hear throughout the state that this process is being done, but not with the level of detail needed.
I have never read about "Action Research," or seen a definition, but now that the wool has been removed from my eyes, I can see how LEAs are currently using it. I can also see how an emphasis in PLCs with the action research model could dramatically impact student performance.
I am sure there are many ways this process can be implemented in LEA, and I cannot wait to investigate more.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
It is nice to get started
I have just taken a few hours to get started with my Superintendent Certification courses. I have watched videos and listened to many interesting and thought provoking ideas in educational leadership. Some are idealistic, while others are truly brilliant and relevant. I look forward to diving in as the week progresses. Thanks to Wendy and Jo at Lamar for getting my course started after a few bumps along the way.
Check out my other blog at joeandmarijon.blogspot.com
Until next time!
Joe
Check out my other blog at joeandmarijon.blogspot.com
Until next time!
Joe
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