Action Research

Administrative inquiry, or action research can be a very useful and meaningful tool.  From my understanding, action research is intended to bring about a change. The change may need to be in student performance, the work environment, student-teacher relationships, etc.  By developing an action research plan you are committing to gathering evidence and collaborating with co-workers to determine the best solution for the situation.  You, and the group that you are working with, are active participants in the action research.  

In traditional education research, you are given the data and are expected to analyze it and apply to your current situation.  With the administrative inquiry, all of the information that is gathered is directly related to the situation or problem that you are trying to improve. As stated in Leading with Passion and Knowledge(Dana), action research benefits school leaders, improves campus cultures, and improves student performance.  

Now that I have a better understanding of action research I would like to look at the use of technology in the classrooms.  Our school is very lucky to have the amount of technology that we have.  As I walk around room to room, I see far less teachers using the technology that is there.  By observations, data collection, and surveys I would like to find out how often technology is being used by the teachers and the students.  If the teacher is not using technology to its fullest potential, I need to find out why.  Do they need more training? Are the intimidated? Do they not have enough time?  My hope is to evaluate the situation and then come up with a solution to get technology used in the classroom more often. 


Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press