Final Reflection

My final reflection over this course is that I first feel that is was very useful and informative. I feel that each assignment, reading or lecture was beneficial for my future endeavors.

First, the lectures helped me to be informed of information and have everything laid out. I felt it was just enough to not make me overwhelmed, but knowing I will be able to conquer every task that was needed for this course.

Next, the readings were a great way to see the big picture of information. Since I am a visual learner, I tend to grasp material a lot easier by seeing it then listening to the information. The readings also gave us examples of how to do go about developing our research project.

Next, the various electronic searches enabled me to review over topics and to learn more about how to go about the action research project. I was able to look into different strategies to use in the project and how to collect various forms of data. I also looked at examples of past research action plans to get an idea of what layout to use.

Also, I felt the assignments allowed me to get much needed experience over action research and helped me to further understand the idea behind it. It allowed me to think outside of the box during many occasions while I completed the assignments.

I thought the discussion board was beneficial in many ways. Writing is a great way to express your ideas and I feel that is exactly what we did each week. As we go through this program, feedback is always greatly appreciated. It is also great to get a glimpse of what others are doing and what action plans they are going to work towards. I have learned after this second class in the masters’ program, that we are becoming more of a community and really helping each other. I feel that we were able to email each other with concerns and get the feedback we needed.

Finally, like the discussion boards, the use of blogs is very similar with being able to express your ideas and get feedback. Since we created only a blueprint of our research plan, input from others can only help us grow tremendously in our learning. It is critical to go forth with some of the ideas that classmates give you. It is drastically affect your plan.

To conclude, this action research course was a good stepping stone into the program. I was able to learn about something completely new to me and grasp information as well as ideas that I would have never thought about. I also feel this course can help me to be a leader for my school.

Action Research Plan : FINAL DECISION

My agreed upon Action Research plan will be over the investigation of academic achievement in technology verses the standard textbook. I will collect data from a smaller community of junior high teachers. I feel this research plan will help to broaden the use of our technology resources, increase performance in technology mastery for students as well as help with budgeting for resources in the future. This investigation will also help to understand the outcomes of using the resources for today’s 21^st century learners and see how they affected academic performance compared to the standard textbook. I plan to still use the textbook as a resource as well as compare data from various junior high teachers of the outcomes they encountered. Any thoughts or ideas towards this research plan would be greatly appreciated.

Action Plan!

Action Planning Template
Goal: We, the school of St. Ambrose will utilize all technology resources and investigate academic achievement through these resources beyond the standard textbook.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Create an environment in all classrooms through using various technology resources throughout the year that go beyond the textbook	Laura Kopecky and St. Ambrose Faculty	March 2012-May 2013	Various technology resources will include USB connections, smartboard with brains, internet access and computer lab	Administrators will complete walk through and interview teachers and students.
Faculty will peruse various forms of professional development and gather new ideas and options over academic success over technology vs. the textbook	Laura Kopecky And St. Ambrose Faculty	March 2012-May 2013	Trainings will be available at Region 4, Houston ISD (Private schools)	Faculty will collaborate together their new ideas and see what successes various schools seem to have with technology and textbook usage.
Various assessments over material will be used to help understand test scores for the 1st quarter of school	Laura Kopecky and St. Ambrose Faculty	August 2012-October 2012	Computer lab access, scantrons, computerized test forms, hard copy test	Faculty will collaborate to discuss the outcome of tests and what changes need to happen in the next quarter.
Data will be collected after the first quarter over academic success from the use of primarily technology and students interest	Laura Kopecky and St. Ambrose Faculty	October 2012	Data Analysis, student interviews, survey monkey	Faculty will discuss outcomes of the use of technology over the standard textbook. We will also see what gains a student’s interest more.
Students will prepare for mid-terms and address any needed gaps	Laura Kopecky and St. Ambrose Faculty	November 2012-December 2012; April 2013-May 2013	Students will use Curriculum on wheels videos, Smartboard, Wordle and other internet sources	Faculty will then discuss what strengths and weaknesses have come about the use of technology over textbooks. We will also see if we have addressed the needed gaps of what students were struggling with.
Teachers in the junior high level will be surveyed over academic outcomes over mid-term grades through the use of technology and textbooks. We will also see what strategies have worked thus far	Laura Kopecky and St. Ambrose Jr. High Staff	January 2013	Survey monkey via email	Reflections will be done by junior high faculty and submitted to administration
Final Step: Collaboration with administration and faculty over technology usage and what budgets should be made for the upcoming year with technology and textbooks.	Laura Kopecky and St. Ambrose School	March 2013-July 2013	Faculty meetings, survey monkey via email	As a school, we will be able to see what academic achievements have been able to be fulfilled through test scores and students interest. We will also be able to participate in options for budgeting our finances in needed materials for the school year.