Blogging as a Tool for Leadership

Blogging is a useful tools for leaders. It can be used to document and record thoughts and research as you would in a regular journal, and it can be used to publish incoming data, and the results of projects and strategies. When used as a journal, it is accessible from any computer anywhere there is internet access. If the journal is posted so others can view and comment, then there is a rich bank of ideas, and suggestions to any questions that might be considered in the blog. A blog can be for introspection, so that it is easier to organize your thoughts and ideas, or it may be a great way to post your results for others to share. Both are strong tools for those who are leaders.

Dana, Nancy Fichtman. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Corwin Press, Thousand Oaks, California.

Action Research

Action research is a "doable" form of inquiry. It allows you to look at your own methods, and address areas of need, or areas for improvement. It is not about blame, but about improvement. It has a strong sense of ownership to those who implement this type of plan.

As you have a question, or "wondering", to address, you begin by researching the need. Research can be through written material, internet, interviews with others, observation, and many other resources. It is not a formal, scientific process, but an on-going observation of the area of need. Data and information is also gathered. This information is used to create a plan of action. As the plan is implemented, more data is collected. This data is used to determine the direction of the continued actions. If the actions are successful, another issue may be addressed, or steps to maitain may be implemented. If they are not successful, then an alternate plan may become part of the steps.

It is a flexible, on-going process that allows the participants to critically apply and adapt information in a way to improve their methods. Ringler (2007) suggests the use of a facilitator to to help ask those critical questions that are useful in addressing learning issues or areas of concern in the classroom, or on campuses in general. Whether the implementor is the teacher, or the administrator, action research helps create a plan of action using data driven research, and a flexible, on-going plan.

Ringler, Marjorie. (2007). Action Research: an effective instructional leadership skill for future public school leaders. AASA Journal of scholarship and practice vol. 4 (1).

What I Have Learned from EDLD 5306

I believe that the most significant knowledge that I have gained, is in recognizing that technology is no longer about technology, but what you will do with technology to succeed at everything else. What is available is changing moment to moment and day to day. What we are using today, our students will not even recognize 10-15 years down the road. The first computer I ever used in school used cassette tapes for storage instead of discs. It was also a T.I. Commodore. This was only about 25 years ago. I could not have envisioned where we are now from where we have come. I have learned that we need to guide our students on how to access this digital world, and make it work for them. They need to know how to access this information safely and effectively, and use what they have found ethically, and productively. The world is no longer confined to our neighborhoods, it is now wide open to any one who can learn to access it.

I love to learn and have always shared what I believe in. I know everyone can be successful in some way and to at least some extent. They can always achieve more than they believe. I want other educators, and my students to recognize the potential that is available. I know that I am just starting out in the area of technological skills, but I also know that I am a driven learner and I can learn. I have found that many people who are uncertain are often successful if someone can give them positive support, and some guidance. Guidance is not doing it for them.This course has given me a base to begin achieving this goal.

Success in Completing Assignments

I was able to successfully complete the assignments for this course. I was also very frustrated at times.This was because the class was very time consuming. I had expected to be able to complete the assignments in about 8-15 hours a week, depending upon the assignments. The minimum amount of time that I spent on a weekly assignment was about 20 hours. I know much of this time was because of the limited amount of prior knowledge that I had. Another frustration was in using the ABA form. I have used it in the past, but that was almost 20 years ago. I was definitely rusty. I would have also liked to have seen an example of an internship plan. I was lost when I began that assignment. I was grateful to my mentor for the help she was able to give. Even with these frustrations and set-backs, I learned so much from this course. I feel that I can and will be successful in completing the program.

Unachieved Outcomes and Why

I feel that the biggest outcome that I did not achieve is in knowing how to find resources that are available. I did make progress in this area. I have become more comfortable with finding resources available through my district and service center, but I still fumble around when I start to search outside of these limited venues for a resource to meet a specific need. I do not have the prior knowledge to limit the searches, or how to access this information in an effective manner. I feel that the greatest reason I did not achieve this goal, is that this was not the focus of the class. I do feel that this will be addressed more effectively in later classes. This is an expected outcome for the program. I may want to be able to achieve this goal now, but I also know that I will not gain all the information that I need from one class out of that program.

Outcome Relevancy to Work that I Do

The outcomes that I received from EDLD 5306 are relevant to myself and my students. I have learned to access many tools, such as RSS feeds, web 2.0 tools, blogs, and wikis. I am becoming much more proficient at the tools that I was already familiar with. I am also learning where to look, and who to ask, to find more available technology. My goal is to help my students become much less dependent on teacher-directed learning, and learn to think more critically for themselves. I do not want them to always follow someone else. I want them too learn to solve problems, and know if an answer is appropriate to their situation, not just assume what someone else has told them is correct. I feel that the problem-based learning scenarios, web quests, and other such approaches to education will help them to move towards those goals. I feel that what I have learned in this class is relevant in making this goal for my students, and myself, happen.

Course Outcomes - Expected and Achieved

When I began this course, I was looking for a way to make technology more productive for myself and for my students. I teach elementary special education students who are often unable to read. Many times when I would search for something to use for a lesson, I was limited to a game or the material was not academically appropriate for my students. I wanted to change this.
The outcome that I was looking for was to increase the accessibility for my students so that they would be more productive and more engaged. I feel that this class is putting me on the right track to achieve those outcomes. The scope of the information was much wider than what I had envisioned. I feel that by the time that I finish the program, that I will be able to make a significant differences to those students who have limited access at this time.