How I (you) can benefit from action research

Using action research or principal inquiry is a great way to grow professionally. It is a way to work collaberatively with other principals, teachers, and other school personnel. It allows a principal to get input and ideas from others and to not feel they are isolated from others. By using principal inquiry it allows a principal to become a better role model for his/her campus. By being a better role model for your campus, this also instills and facilitates the best practices work on his/her campus. The last benefit that a principal can get from principal inquiry is a means to slow down the hectic pace that often occurs in the day and life of a building principal.

Action Research: What I have learned

Action research is an interesting topic and one that is new to me. After reading Dana's work (Dana, 2009) I found that action research is far different than what I am used to thinking about "research". Action research is different than traditional research because it focuses attention on the "doer" of the work instead of someone being told what to do. By "doer" I mean that the teacher, principal, etc. looks at what and how they do their job and what type of results they get from the efforts they make. When teachers and administrators look interspectfully at their own practice they better understand of why they behave the way they do and consquently make better choices. (Oberg, 1990). Action research can also be used as a powerful proffesional development tool for both principals and teachers alike. By allowing teachers and principals to take an active role in the input and analysis of what they do in the classroom or in their office they are more than likely to accept the process and be better for it. Action research deals with realities in education and is a great way for principals and teachers to work in a collaberative effort. Action research provides a means to examine a practical situation or problem to either improve it or solve the problem. It also helps to formulate action strategies as well as implementing appropriate changes.