Action Research

Action research is when you look at what you have, reflect on it, and then look to see what it will take to make the changes necessary to be successful. You have to start by posing questions, then collecting data to understand your question better, and analyzing the data. You also have to read literature that applies to what you are looking at. You then have to share what you found. Action research requires the administrators and teachers to think outside the box. Since the entire process is done within the school walls, the intent is that the teachers and administrators are more on board because they have been involved in the entire process and have ownership over what is being done. The administrative inquiry does just that, gives us a chance to learn from doing. The process will also help the staff and administrators work together as a team. Action research is not something that is going to come easy. You are going to have to make it a point to do it and find time to make sure that it is happening. Action research is too important to not make it a priority.
I would use action research when I saw that there was a problem within my school. I could use it to look at teaching strategies and how successful they are being. I might want to use it when we are looking at a new program to use. I would use it when I looked at my scores and saw that they were not where the state wanted them or where I wanted them to be. Action research can be used for so many different aspects within the school. The most important thing to remember is that it needs to be used!