Your+Task+Fall+2010

**It’s Time to Take Action! ** **1. Identify a Problem. **Reflect on an area for improvement in your classroom, on your campus or in the district. **2. Investigate. **Research current information on this topic. As educators and scholars, we cannot plan classroom research based on assumptions. You will need to justify your action plan with current and relevant sources. Below are some possible sources of information: **You must document 3 current sources in the group WIKI before planning your intervention. **You do not need to write a report, but you should summarize your findings in an organized, sensible, and scholarly fashion. Cite your sources using the APA format. **3. Brainstorm Possible Solutions to Your Problem. **List 5-10 possible solutions on your WIKI page. **4. Select One Possible Solution. **Be sure that your solution is within your locus of control, involves teaching and learning, and that you are passionate about the plan. **5. Craft a Research Question. **Your research question should be open ended, yet narrow. What happens when…? How do…? What is the effect of …? In what way ….? Sample questions:
 * Your third, but not final, Action Research Project will focus on an area of interest that involves teaching and learning. Look back on the past two years in the classroom and reflect on the following questions: **
 * //Why do I do things a certain way? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif';">Why are certain programs used? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif';">Is there anything that could be done differently? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif';">Are there any assumptions I make in teaching that might not be true? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif';">What might my role on my campus be this year? How can I use this role to positively affect student achievement? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif';">Where do I see myself in 5 years? What can I do this year that will have a positive effect on my students’ future and my own future? //
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif';">How do I learn best? In what ways do I currently incorporate this method into the classroom? //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif'; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">Interviews with experts in the field
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif'; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">Current educational articles
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif'; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">Research journals, books or reports
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif'; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">What is the effect of using project-based learning on a geometry unit covering angles and measures?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif'; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">What impact, if any, does creating an after school literacy club have on 8th grade students’ reading scores?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif'; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">In what ways are teachers empowered to use technology in the classroom as a result of participating in a teacher-driven Technology PLC?

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino-Roman','sans-serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">Share your question with others within and outside of your LSC group. See if your question makes sense and whether or not they understand the focus? **6. Create an Action Plan and Timeline.** Specifically detail how you are going to enact your innovation. Include a timeline and action steps (based on your literature review). Include any resources or materials you will need for a successful result. Plan a 6 week innovation to be implemented between October 2010 and November 2010.

**7. Choose Your Methods.** Consider the best way to document your innovation. Some of your data collection methods may include pre-assessments (pre-tests, student interviews, teacher observations, video observations, etc). You will need to use 3 methods to assess your innovation, at least one qualitative and one quantitative measure. Sample methods may include:
 * Observation checklists
 * Student interviews
 * Assessment data
 * Student Portfolios
 * Focus groups
 * Surveys

**8. Implement your Innovation with Charisma!** This is your action, your students, and your school! Make a difference! Implement your plan with confidence and passion. Record your steps along the way and collect data so you will be able to confidently tell your story to others.

**9. Analyze Your Results.** Chart your results in a sensible and scholarly manner. Create charts that show pre/post information. Analyze qualitative data by determining themes and patterns in the data. Display your data in a manner that correlates to your research question.

** 10. Share Your Research. **** Invite your principal or evaluator and 2 colleagues to the InMAC Deer Valley Research Day. Research Day will be held Tuesday, December 7th from 4:30 – 6:00 pm in the Governing Board Room. ** Be prepared to share a minute comment about an accomplishment you have experienced over the past 2 1/2 years.