Reflections and Status Report for Campus-Supervised Internship Activities, Action Research, and Your Technology Skills and Knowledge Project

·         A reflection and status report of your Campus-supervised Internship activities. Where are you in implementing your Internship Plan? What activities are remaining?

I am doing very well on the campus supervised internship activities.  This is mainly due to me being a lead teacher for a campus for 2 years.  This made me work very close to the principal and even help her with many aspects of administration. I helped her with conflict management between staff, staff meetings, budget, and so many other activities that would fall into the internship plans. This also includes reviewing lesson plans, helping audit the bilingual files for many schools, mentoring teachers, and doing the monthly calendar of events. This also  included going to many campuses and having meetings with parents and also meeting with community members. I was also helping other departments such as PR and human resource with different committees so that helped me gain more internship hours. Before that I was also grade level chair at another campus and was involved with many committees in that campus as well including the SBDM and the LPAC.  This made me learn so much on many different aspects. 

I am lacking maybe some hours on technology. I want to interview a computer lab manager on what she does and how she comes up with her schedule.

·         A reflection and status report of your Action Research Report activities. Where are you in completing that work? What activities are remaining?

Since I did change campus, the original Action Research that I was going to do changed to another subject that pertains better to my current assignment.  I am doing very well and have data on it which is how to increase rhyming scores for the Prek students in our campus.  This is very near and dear to me since many years I have seen the difficulty of students gaining rhyming skills not only in my current school but for many years and for many other grade levels.  I am at the research stage with the 2 sets of scores already in and also with different ways to gain rhyming skills.  I do need to research a little more for articles that might help me gain more knowledge but am currently doing that.  I would also like to survey some teachers on what they think on the rhyming skills and why they think it is so hard for some students to grasp.

·         A reflection of your technology skills and knowledge gained in this course.

I really gained a lot on technology skills in this course.  I had no idea how to make a google document or a google site and now I can make new ones that will help me in the future. I would like to make one for my classroom or when I am an administrator.  I also gained lots of knowledge on what WEB 2.0 tools were and how to use them.  I also really enjoyed learning about live binders, on what they were and how all the information was really compact and so easy to access on a live binder.  This was a really enjoyable course especially the part of the collaboration because I really enjoy learning from others and gaining knowledge from them.  Some of the other students really helped me clear up some issues on the google site and how to make it better.  I also enjoyed the videos that helped so much knowledge as well in technology and what is up and coming in the classroom.  I really thought that flipped instruction is something that is going to catch more momentum and it has lots to do with technology.

Reflections of Web Conferences 5352

For the web conferences, I need to reflect on: 

What I gained, what is not so important, how I will use web conferencing  in the future..

EDLD 5352 Web Conference Sunday, January 20, 2013

This web conference is very  useful in clarifying what we would do in week one and two in the assignments.  I thought this was very useful since we needed to really know what was appropriate to turn in to get out points for the assignment. Not only clarification was useful but getting our groups together for the assignments was also a good thing on that web conference.  This class required that we get into groups to collaborate and the web conference was a great way to meet people and get into Google teams that were part of the assignment but also a great way to meet people and get to know them. Another useful information that I got from it is how to set up Google sites.  I know that we had videos on how to set it up but it was also useful to get answers on any questions we had.  It was also great to know that I could use this blog for this assignment and not have to create another one.  I also really useful to get people to remind me of things like the deadline for graduation, what was really required in our Google documents and a little bit about Web 2.0 tools.

Some of the questions people asked were not very important.  Well they were important to them but they could  have easily found answers in the overviews or rubrics.

EDLD 5352 Web Conference Jan 26, 2013

The real purpose of the web conference was to  clarify issues people may have and to encourage people in their program!  That is a great purpose for a web conference.  I like that, especially the encouraging part.  The important part of this conference really was to get information. There was lots of talk about the Google documents and team documents. This was about learning what we needed to do in week 2 but many people were ahead and got me thinking about week 3 as well where there was more requirements on a showcase of web 2.0 tools.  There was also clarification on what we really had to submit which was just the web site we were using for our document and also the Google site we created for the class.  This Google site has really been a learning experience especially when people clarify things in the web conference and how to make the site better.  I also learned that the team document needed to be created so that all the team could alter it and have equal access.  When at first I created it, I was the only one that could alter it so when I went to the web conference I went back and made sure that all the team could edit it and share it with them, this was very important so that all the team would be involved. 

Some of the information that people shared was not that useful, I know it was useful to others but not to me.  It was about the ILD in other regions but since I already took it in my own region it was not that important but I am glad some people go the information they need.

EDLD 5352 Web Conference Chat Feb 03, 2013

This web conference was also mostly about clarifications which is actually good.  I like when people ask questions that I didn't even think of but that I actually had but then I still get answers to those questions.  So glad to have all those classmates with all the ideas that they share and ask for clarifications and even just listening to the web conference can really help you gain so much information. For example this question: "Week 3 assignment had us creating another group document, my question is do we use the same team google document that we used for week 2 and add our week 3 assignment to the bottom of the document or should we have created a new team Google document?"  This was a question that I didn't even think of but I needed the answer to so that I can continue with my work.  I also had questions on what the assignment really wanted us to do, to just talk about it or actually do it.  What is really was was a showcase and that is what our team did.  The web conferences really help get other information other than just clarifications on assignments.  Many people give out information on the tests, the ILD and what region is doing what.  I really like the web conferences and am glad even though there was glitches and some were canceled we still got some done.

how I will use web conferencing  in the future..

I teach Prek and web conferences would probably be used for the parents to learn information about what is happening in class. If I ever change grade level,  I would use web conferences for homework help with the students maybe once a week and even to talk to parents.

I would also use web conference as an administrator to talk to teachers or parents.  I know that I have a prek mentor right now that was out because of surgery and had to stay home.  She could have used web conferencing to keep our meeting. Instead she is going to have to make them up and that is an inconvenience to others where she could have already done those meetings through conferencing.
I also think that the superintendent could use web conferencing to have meetings with the principals.  That way the principals can stay in their campus in case of emergencies and they still get their meetings done every week.

These Past 5 Weeks

These five weeks have been full of learning and reflections and new ideas. The lectures were full of information.  I especially liked that they made it very clear in the beginning that this class was not to be a regular research class.  This was not going to be a research class where you went to the library and looked up a subject and they wrote a paper about that subject.  They also introduced the blog issue.  I already had a blog where I shared my prek ideas so I had some experience with one but this blog was going to be a little different because we were going to share the research and reflections and expected feedback from others to help shape our research.

I also liked their second lecture where we examined the purpose of action research. They also suggested that you picked a research question that is close to your heart which makes lots of sense since picking something that means nothing to you will be torture.

It was also a great lecture when they spoke about the 8 steps for analysis of action.  It was really great to hear them explain a little about it and then go and read the book.  You could grasp it a little better.

I also really enjoyed looking at the interviews about action research with people that really used it in their schools and implemented the action research way in their district.  It was a good thing to see that it really works. I really liked Mr. Briseno’s work and I made a connection that action research can work at my school.

 As I wrote in the discussion board, I was amazed to find out this week that our district uses it as well but in a more central office way.  They had meeting to use the action research to improve the ways things are done to help students that are not succeeding.  

I also very much enjoyed the reading especially the Dana book Leading with Passion and Knowledge. I liked that it had so many examples of action research because at first I was really lost as to how to pose the questions of my inquiry but after reading so many samples, I really had the idea of how to do it. Sometimes models help a lot and this book did that for me. It helped shape what the inquiry could be and how far it can go and how great it is to have that kind of inquiry in the schools cause it drives the staff development and it also drives change for the better.

It also really gave a great definition of what inquiry is all about and how it is a great way to gain understanding about the school and about you. It also really focused on reflection and how that really helps shape the inquiry.  It also helped answer questions on how to manage the research inquiry process in terms of time.  It also helped reflect on different passions one can have and how that also shapes the inquiry.

I also enjoyed the other book called Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools:8 steps from analysis to action. This book gives the steps and I especially liked the part that I recently read about strategies for sustaining improvements.  This really gave me ways to help sustain the changes and how to get the teachers involved in the changes.

All the reading and lectures had me researching things to understand more.  It was a way to get more information and I really enjoyed it.  I also got ideas on my research on behavior by researching articles and even getting ideas from the web conferences and discussion boards. I looked up what the head starts use for discipline and how that might help my teachers.

I also got ideas from the discussion boards by people posting about a program called Love and Logic and other programs called Champs.  I really have got to dig in and see what those programs are all about. 

I have started getting information for the teachers and have even found staff development that might get them on their way to come to a consensus on what kind of discipline management program they might want to adopt as the one the school would use.

The assignments were something that really made me reflect on what inquiry was about and if I was going in the right track.  I liked the assignments because they made me think. They made me really dig into the readings and learn the material.  I really liked the assignment of the interviews because it helps me see the action research process in action in different districts and ways that will help my research go smoother and easier.

The discussion boards are a must with this program.  It is people that know exactly what you are going through and can answer the questions that you have.  They really want to help as I want to help them. I get to see so many great ideas and inquiries and it help me see how others think and how others are doing their inquiry.  I really think those discussion boards have helped me out of jams and are really a support system for all the students.

The blogs are another form of discussions and also help in seeing what others think and reflect on and what others are inquiring.  It also helps with organizing thoughts and even researching.

I must say that I really learned so much in this class and am glad to have taken it because now I see action research as such a valuable tool to use in the classroom, school and district.

I also like that we have to discuss this with our site supervisor because that is another sort of support system that knows what the school is all about and what is allowable and knows the teachers as well.  I am glad my site supervisor approved my research and is actually glad because that is a subject that teachers always ask about.

Dana, N.F. (2009).  Leading with passion and knowledge:  The principal as action researcher.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Corwin Press

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.

plan

·         Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation

The goals of this project is for the teachers to actually have a uniform behavior management plan in place where they have the actions they would take if they are having any trouble with behavior.

·         Activities designed to achieve the objectives

Professional development will be given on behavior management, also a behavior action plan that can be formed in a staff meeting. Students will be introduced to the behavior management plan as several lessons and will have to be aware of the consequences of action either for positive behavior or negative behavior

·         Resources and research tools needed for data gathering

I will conduct teacher’s surveys and will also go to walkthroughs to see what the need is for each classroom and what can be in place for an early childhood classroom.

 I will also conference with the Principal, the Prek Mentor and the teachers to make sure everything is fine or if anything needs to be revised. I will also conduct parent calls to talk to them about how they view behavior management in their child’s school.

As for other research, I will use the internet, books, and other school’s plans as a guide to get more information and to help guide our own plan of action.

·         Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities

I think we can form some kind of plan and implement it next semester and then have it show results by May 2011.  This can then be tried the next school year so that we know it can be replicated and for it to work.  We will also revise it as needed.

·         Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan

Principal who is my site supervisor, teachers who will implement the behavior management plan, students who will have to follow the plan, and any other staff such as the Prek Mentor when she goes into the classroom for walkthroughs, the paraprofessionals when they are involved in group activities with children, the Special Education teachers that go into the classroom for small group instruction, the resource teachers that goes into the classroom.  The co-teachers that are part of the program of Early Start and any other staff involved with the students including myself.

·         Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives

I will send out teachers and parent surveys.  I will also conduct walkthroughs.

·         Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study

I, with the help of my site supervisor will conduct a staff meeting where the teachers will give feedback on how the plan is working for them and how students are reacting to the behavior plan.  We will then revise the plan as needed.

Action Planning Template
Goal: To have  a behavior plan that works for 3-5 year old students.
Outcomes	Activities	Resources Needed
Develop a behavior management plan	There will be a staff development day planned where we will brain storm and come up with a plan of action that will have the steps that teachers will take for the behavior plan to work.	Books on behavior management, other plans from other schools, current curriculum. Teacher input, administrative
Develop the steps to take as consequences	The teachers and I will then brainstorm and develop the rewards and consequences for the behavior management plan.	Early childhood books, current curriculum, teacher input, administrative input
Implement plan in the classroom	Teachers will implement plan by having lessons on the behavior management plan for the students. Students will then know what the expectations are and what the consequences are for their actions.	Teachers needed to explain plan
Evaluation and Revision of plan	Teachers will come together to discuss how the plan is working for them and how they are implementing it in their classroom.  They will give feedback and we will then revise plan as needed.	Books and current curriculum, Teacher feedback

research quesiton

Research Question:

In what ways does a new behavior management plan meet the needs of the teachers and students from the PSJA Early Start Program?

This research question was reached after observing classrooms at my school, speaking to my principal(site supervisor), speaking to the Prek Mentor that mentors the teachers at school and speaking to some of the teachers as well. 

I really want to come up with something that will work for the unique situation that the teachers face every day.  The children are 3, 4 and 5 years old and they need something that will work for that age range.

Behavior management is very important for any teacher.  This is because the children will then feel safe and learning with take place at their highest potential.  So in other words it helps with students’ success in the classroom.  They must feel that there is consistency so that they also feel that they are always treated in a fair way.

Reflection

Action Research has turned out to be very interesting to me.  I was actually doing it in my classroom all along.  I would identify an area of need and would go research what I could do on google or go buy a book at Barnes and Noble about the problem. Then I would go and try out the ideas and apply it in my classroom.  If it worked it would become part of my teaching strategies forever and I would share with my grade level.  If it did not work, I would go back to the drawing board.

I also learned a lot with the interviews that were presented this week in our class.

I learned that you should research or google other people’s research to see if it applies to your own situation so that you gain time to do other research.  You should also do research that means something to your students, class and school or else you will lose interest and it will not benefit your students. Make it practical and use the data that you have to answer the questions that you are wondering.  All of the interviewees spoke about data and that is really where all things are going, what the data is telling you and what can your action research help the students succeed.

Teachers engaging in sharing ideas

I also really loved the idea of having staff meeting to share ideas and to also share  problems to help out the teachers.

Why Blog?

Why should educational leaders blog?

There are many reasons to blog, such as getting your ideas out there to share with others.  It is a tool that can be dynamic, ongoing, and interactive.  People can read your ideas and provide feedback and comments and really interactions with those that have to same interests.

So educational leaders might use the blog to organize their ideas and have others comment so that those leaders can get different perspectives from others.  They can also them as a school blog.

They can have a blog only for their teachers where teachers can read the leaders thoughts and questions and ideas.  The teachers then can provide feedback and comments and make it a good communication tool where there is always a conversation about issues going on in school.  That conversation can them bring up questions that can be made into Action Research projects for the school.