EDLD 5301-1281: Week One Blog Assignment

                                                 What I Have Learned about Action Research

     I have learned a lot about action research over the past few days.  As mentioned in many of our texts, when I first discovered that my next class was going to be a Research class I was not looking forward to it at all.  However, one of the first things that I discovered was that action research is very different from traditional research.  Traditional research involves getting instruction and guidance from researchers working from the outside.  They have done extensive research that is broad based, but it is definitely not based on your particular situation. 
     However, action research is done by those actually involved in the situation at hand.  A problem is addressed that could benefit from action research.  Then one person, a few people, or a team of people can then work together to find solutions for the problem.  Data is collected, discussed, and reviewed by all.  Then some type of solution is implemented.  Once in place, this idea will then be evaluated to determine it's effectiveness, and then these results can be shared with others.
     Action research is definitely more beneficial than traditional research.  Instead of simply relying on expert, outside ideas, the people directly involved by the problem at hand are able to actively participate in the research and implement a solution.  Therefore, they are able to actually "own" the task at hand and "buy in" by others involved will be much easier to achieve.

                                How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs

     Blogs are a great tool for educational leaders.    It allows them to build interactive relationships with others that have similar interests via posts, comments, links, etc. Blogs allow them to share news about any current research they might be doing and also enables instant feedback on their research.  By posting current research ideas and results it can then inspire and motivate others with similar problems at hand.  Blogging also allows educational leaders to reflect on their own thought process by capturing thoughts and recollections.  Overall, blogs allow for great personal and professional growth via personal reflection as well as fostering important relationships with other educational leaders.