Action Research -

Before this course I have never heard of action research, and after reading more on this topic I am very interested in learning more.  Action research seems like a great way to help address school issues directly and start to find solutions to many of the problems schools have.  I think action research is a great way to keep the problems close to home which will help come up with more effective solutions.  It was interesting to look back at the traditional methods of research and learn a new more efficient way to research problems.  I am already planning on using this method in my classroom and looking ahead at how I can use it as an administrator.  One topic I would like to use action research on is the correlation between student discipline and academic success.  My personal belief is that the more structured and consistent your discipline is, the higher your academic achievement will be.  I would like to start this in my classroom and see if I can see a change in learning based on discipline.  Another topic I would I like to use action research on is the effectiveness of technology on academic success.  My current district places a lot of importance on using technology and they spend a lot of money for this technology.  I understand that in this day and age technology is important, but I am interested in what the direct effect of technology in school has on student success in school.  The idea of action research has really caught my attention and I am looking forward to learning more about it through out the duration of this course.  There have been many times that I have been frustrated with the fact that the people making decisions in education have not stepped foot in a classroom in years (or sometimes ever.)  If we can use action research to collaboratively develop solutions to the problems so many schools face, schools would be a better place.