In this course I learned how action research differed from traditional research. The more I read about it, the more interesting it became. Every day as educators we face a myriad of challenges, that’s where our wonderings take shape, in schools where the need arises and we set on our journey to explore possibilities to resolve these issues. I learned about the cyclical nature of action research, and how as principal inquirers we learn best when we are in control of our own research. This is important because what ever we learn through our experience we are sure to implement that into our daily lives.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said,” What you do speaks so loudly that no one can hear what you say.”
The following sources were very helpful.
Lectures: I greatly enjoyed the lectures of Dr. Arterbury and Prof. Jenkins. It felt like I was sitting in a classroom. It is a great learning experience. Lectures are a great introduction to the course and therefore give insight into its content. They brainstorm different questions and give answers for further clarification. They are also being used as a platform to encourage students to do their best, and are great for support.
Dr. Lewis reiterated that there is a wealth of information on the internet and we “Do not need to reinvent the wheel.”
Readings: For every week’s assignment chapters were assigned to the specific page numbers. That saved time and was very helpful. Textbook pages were also in the resource section online and could be easily downloaded. This was a good start until I bought the books that were recommended. Having a book although is very important. I could highlight important ideas as well as make notes on the side. All the examples and wonderings of others make you think and learn more from others experiences.
Discussion Board: It has been the highlight of all courses. It is a wonderful experience to be able to share your thoughts with your classmates and get responses. It is a great tool to learn from others; you not only get vital information about their research experiences but also your own course of action. During discussion on each week’s topic, I could give my point of view on my colleagues’ wonderings and I also got different perspectives on my inquiry question. It is a great forum to share, present and exchange ideas. Teachers who have experience provided helpful suggestions and ideas.
Assignments: Assignments were very well planned to assess our learning. The directions were concise and clear. Timelines and requirements were clearly explained. Assignments were based on the videos, readings from books etc. Rubric for each assignment guided my work and I tried to put in my best effort so it could be in the “Accomplished” category and was seen as a “Habit of Mind.” I look forward to my grades and comments by my professors. Feedback is very important to further my learning and so far I am very content with the remarks.
Blogs: This was my first time learning to make a blog. For educators this is another platform to say what you feel. It is a great way to post comments, pose questions and voice your opinions. It was also nice to see my classmates and get to know a little bit more about them.
To sum it all up, I learned that the biggest advantage about Action Research/ inquiry is that it keeps us constantly looking for better ways to serve our students and help them become successful. (Dana,2009,p.45)
