Action Research Beginnings

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about action research. First, I am fortunate to see this type of inquiry happening on my campus. It is wonderful to see that the administrators at my campus have the ability to work through solutions at our campus from the 'inside out' rather than the 'outside in'. I will say; however, that I agree with Dana when she states the negative connotations with the word 'research'. Before this week's course, I shared the same sentiment about that word. I tend to like looking at data and finding how it relates to different scenarios, but research has historically been difficult for me to digest. 
The week's video helped me to see the correlation between research and what I see happening with the administration on my campus. I feel it is the collaborative approach to problem solving that is at the core of action research.  
Action research should be incorporated into everyday practices.  Administrators have the knowledge of the inner-workings at their campus. Teachers and students have this knowledge as well, though from different perspectives. The collaboration between these perspectives is essential to a healthy campus and the continuing research, or inquiry, is what starts the wheels spinning.
I plan to use this type of inquiry as I continue my focus on staff development and providing teachers opportunities to become life-long learners.

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First and foremost, blogging can help reduce the risk of isolation that can so easily become part of an administrator’s habit. Blogging can help to involve all stakeholders through public access to information and can keep the lines of communication open on certain issues and topics. Blogging is also a great way for an administrator to stay reflective.