Scholar Practitioners

Action Research Ideas from Scholar Practitioners

This week I watched three videos of scholar practitioners who discussed their experiences with action research. For my assignment, I reflected on Dr. Johnny Briseno and Dr. Kirk Lewis who both shared information that I believe pertains to the action research project I am interested in conducting in my school and district. 

Dr. Johnny Briseno discussed the importance of successful teachers presenting their unique strategies and ideas to the rest of the staff to help the other educators develop effective approaches for teaching.  Essentially, the purpose is that teachers don’t have to “reinvent the wheel” and they should cooperate and collaborate to determine the best methodology that is used in their school(s).  He even gave the example of 1^st grade teachers discussing the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of their students to the 4^th grade teachers as to prepare them for when the students are in their classes.

Dr. Kirk Lewis emphasized the importance of evaluating the curriculum and modifying the delivery of instruction to provide a deeper understanding of the information being taught.  He mentioned tearing apart research from other institutions, districts and schools to find what is directly applicable to the needs of the district or school. Dr. Lewis does not recommend using data provided “as-is” instead he believes the purpose of actions research is for schools to find out what has worked elsewhere and use the bits and pieces that are appropriate for use close to home. 

Similar to my interpretation of Dr. Briseno’s lecture, I feel Dr. Lewis is a proponent of district-wide strategies that should be developed to benefit the students’ ability to learn, retain and utilize the information presented.  Dr. Briseno’s suggestion of sharing unique strategies with fellow staff members is very similar to the “Math Committee” that we have created at my school.  Though it is currently only a select few volunteers from each grade level, it has provided us a forum for sharing thoughts, concerns and suggestions that can be used across grade levels. The goal of our team is to brainstorm ideas, try them out on a smaller scale and then determine what will be utilized school-wide through formal trainings. I believe his suggestion of 1^st grade teachers meeting with 4^th grade teachers is a great goal to have ultimately, but I believe it is more essential to begin a process like that on a smaller scale, such as the 1^st grade teachers conferencing with the 2^nd grade teachers as to prepare them for what to expect in the more immediate future than the 4^th grade teachers.  Dr. Briseno has given me the idea to develop a survey or data sheet that can be included with a student’s Cumulative Folder which will contain more information about the student than just scores and grades.  Additional information about the preferred learning style, interests and home environment will give the future teacher great insight into the best way to approach teaching that student so they can begin to address their needs from Day 1 of school. 

Dr. Lewis makes a very valid point when he states that any research used in a school must be practical and pertain directly to that school’s needs.  There is no point in using theoretical data that will not be effectively used to benefit the students somehow. Therefore, when the committees at my school begin to evaluate and develop the “best practices” that will be used throughout the grade-levels, we must understand that those “best practices” will not come from one source.  We will be more successful if we search a variety of sources, try various techniques and strategies and determine the best ones for our students’ needs.   

I feel both scholars have supported my desire to move forward on my action research project of aligning successful teaching/learning strategies throughout the grade level to encourage smooth transitions from one grade level to another.  I also plan to do as both scholars suggested and read, Google and search EBSCO for ideas of how other people have addressed situations like the ones I want to address in my district, and then instead of applying what I find directly, I will modify the suggestions to fit the needs of my teachers and students.