Real-Life Research Action - Assignment Example

?Real Life Research Action THESIS MENT In this paper, the viewpoints of two scholar practitioners, viz. Johnny Briseno, the principal of Rancho Isabella Elementary, Angleton ISD and Dr. Kirk Lewis, the Superintendent of Pasadena ISD will be considered for review. The will be considered for review. The subject matter of this paper will centralise on explaining the different aspects that play a vital role in today’s academic centre and providing three action research topics that can be adapted to study more about academic teachings and practises. PART 1 With respect to the first scholar, i.e. Dr Briseno one of the vital topic that the leader has discussed is the importance of facts. In this regard, the importance of qualitative data has been mentioned. Additionally, the leader has also mentioned the ways technology has been accepted in data recording as well as interpretation and also for the results to be shared with major schools in the district from a futuristic point of view to conduct research studies. He also suggested that division of the best child within the campus can also help in motivating others’ child. One of the vital suggestions that the leader has described thereafter emphasises the need of studying more and more on the research topic as it would help in understanding the importance and the different aspects that would make the research more effective. The leader here tries to explain how maintaining a proper set of data can help in analysing the present situation with the past. It is also worth mentioning that an effective research can only be conducted when elaborated and rigorous studies are conducted before finalizing the outcome. With respect to the details provided by the second scholar, Dr. Lewis, one of the vital aspects that he discussed concentrated on the importance of recording data. The leader has tried to explain how data stored helps in ensuring the performance of any individual. Additionally, Dr. Lewis has also stated the importance of detailed, formal procedure to be followed while conducting a research. One of the vital suggestions given by Dr. Lewis in this context advocated that although formal and detailed procedure is needed to be followed while conducting a research, the final result should be published in such a way, which will permit easy and appropriate interpretation of the purpose of the research to the reader. The leader also stressed on the fact that evaluating the findings obtained through past researched when conducting a new study shall be quite beneficial in deriving a generalised understanding regarding the issue in concern. PART 2 1. Staff development: With the advent of modern techniques and theories in a working environment, it is not only businesses that are involving their employees while making vital decisions but academic centres are also adapting new techniques to develop the qualities of their staff members with a vision to gain efficiency in making effective decisions for the overall benefit of the campus. It has been viewed that today’s schools are more focused on Career and Technical Education (CTE). CTE mainly focuses on developing the technical skills of an individual. In this context, it can be stated that teachers and their qualifications are considered to be a vital element in the success of a school to deliver effective knowledge on CTE to the students. Therefore, developing their skills would help in establishing a coordinated relation amid their pupils resulting in better achievements of the students (Dana 32-34). 2. Curriculum development: Curriculum is considered to be an organized planning of the facets to be taught in a school within a calendar year or a specific tenure. Curriculum development is considered to be a vital step of any academic centre as it guides the teachers in assisting the students to learn in the most convenient way, so that the process yields a guaranteed positive return. In this context, the academic centre can design, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate the various factors that can help in developing an effective Curriculum (Dana 35-38). 3. Individual teacher: Arguably, it has often been affirmed that every individual has their one way of thinking. Correspondingly, in many academic centres, teachers often prove ineffective enough as they mainly focus on students who possess the quality to excel in their studies. In this context, it is very essential that proper guidance is provided by the leaders within the campus on the basis of their experiences and critical viewpoints for the attainment of the determined goals in the education system. Additionally, it is also very important that a collaborative action plan is followed to establish a chain of coordinated activities amid the school to be performed by the teachers (Dana 39-41). 4. Individual student: From a realistic understanding, it can be affirmed that every student possess distinctive characteristics in their learning process that further determines their categorisation as a fast and effective learner or a weak and slow learner. This further affects their grades and their behaviour in accordance with the decorum of the institute. In this respect, it is vital that the teachers and the principles of the school need to develop certain strategies that would help in motivating the students to study and establish a good relation with their teachers enthusiastically participating in the program (Dana 41-45). 5. School culture/community: School culture is considered to be fundamentally based on the beliefs, values and traditions in which it operates. In the 21st century, school culture plays a vital role in judging the performance of the academic centre and also in shaping the behaviour of its students. Nancy Fichtman Dana, the author of the book conveyed that conducting effective research and implementing new plans can help in changing the school culture (Dana 45-51). 6. Leadership: Leadership qualities in quite essential for school principals as they are considered to be the main pillar on which the success of an academic centre depends. Recent studies have shown that how effective leadership qualities possessed by a principal helps in improving students’ performances and stimulating efficiency within the education environment. Nancy Fichtman Dana contextually argued that essential leadership qualities in a principal can help in motivating the students towards a more successful career. In this regard, it can be affirmed that leadership quality in principals is quite likely to support the students in doing better in their curriculum and steering them towards becoming an honest and responsible human being (Dana 52-55). 7. Management: The term ‘management’, is usually described as a process of planning, organizing, assessing, re-planning and implementing the strategies developed. Management skills are also considered to be a vital factor in ensuring the competitiveness of the school principals as it contributes towards maintaining coordination within the various dimensions of the educational environment persisting within the campus. In this context the principal of a school can conduct academic meetings with the head of the different department and design the activities in accordance to the set goals and vision (Dana 56-57). 8. School performance: School performance is considered to be one of the most vital aspects of any academic centre as it helps in rewarding a differentiated identification to the school and enhance stakeholder contribution to its success. It is considered that maintaining a high level of school performance has become an utmost priority for every school in the US today, with new schools being instigated every day. For instance, creation of database in school would help in providing online assistance to the students resulting in augmented student-teach relation as well as enhanced student participation in completing their assigned tasks (Dana 58-61). 9. Social justice or equity issues: The issue of social justice and equity issues have been increasing at a rapid pace in the American Context. It is therefore vital that the principal must adapt new policy measures that do not promote inequality in the academic centre and work towards preserving high degree of integrity. In this context, the principal must adapt policies that would help in building a coordinated relation between different ethnic groups that will also motivate students in developing a better social personality (Dana 62-64). PART 3 With reference to the above discussion and chapter 2 of the book titled, “Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher,” by Nancy Fitchman Dana, it can be viewed that research plays a vital role in every aspect in the modern world as it helps in finding solution to any existing problem through evidence based evaluation. Three topics that can be adapted in this regard for possible action research are stated hereunder. 1. To what extent does education contribute to the socio-economic progression of a country: In order to derive explanation for this particular issue, a research would be conducted that will assess the effects of the increasing literacy rate in developing the social and economic processes within a country. Economic growth rate would also be evaluated in correlation with the increasing literacy rate of the country. This research project would assist in estimating the ways literacy rate can contribute to the development of human resources of a country resulting in enhanced economic condition. 2. The implication of theories, methods and ethics on future action oriented research in education: To assess this particular issue, different methods can be adapted during the conduction of a research as per its needs. Contextually, the available options for different approaches need to be evaluated from a comparative point of view before deciding upon the most suitable research method. Additionally, the importance of ethical values in a research should also be mentioned so as to conduct an effective study and derive reliable results. 3. The importance of equality policy in every school: In this respect, different data would be reviewed to show how differentiation in policy measures has affected the academic performance of the schools. In addition, cases would also be shown that supports the theory propagating equality adherence in policy development contributes in maintaining high degree coordination within schools. DISCUSSION Action research is generally conducted to develop more effective practises, with the prime motive of understanding the issue concerned better and make improvements accordingly. After reviewing the two videos of Real Life Research Action, the importance of analysing previously conducted researches, based on a particular subject became much apparent as a rational technique. The book review further revealed various processes through which the principal of an academic centre can adapt new measures in order to establish a mutual understanding amid the teachers and the students resulting in more productive learning sessions. Additionally, the importance of establishing an effective curriculum was addressed in the videos and the book by Nancy Fichtman Dana. On the whole, the above discussion assisted in developing an insight to the various dimensions of research used in academic curriculum designing. REFLECTION The lessons learned from Week Two helped me significantly in developing my understanding of research requirements and its implications within the school setting. I have been able to learn that evaluation of available facts focused on a particular research topic helps in developing an effective research paper, which further contributes to operational efficiency. I have also learnt that the role of a principal of an academic centre is quite vital as he/she is liable to implement new steps that would help in developing a mutual understanding amid the teachers and the pupils resulting in better academic performance. Works Cited Nancy Fichtman Dana. Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. California: Corwin Press, 2009. Print. Read More