Mult-Sensory Enviroment Research

My action research in action.

It took a lot of planning before I finally decided what my action research project would be about. I was really encouraged by meeting with my site supervisor. He is always so welcoming to my ideas and dreams. This is teaching me a huge lesson, as I hope to offer the same assistance to someone in the future. During week two, we analyzed many different scenarios and attempted to make research developed plans for each. This was very challenging for me since I am in my first year of teaching. I really grew professionally from this exercise. It taught me to think outside the box and to reach out for the help of others with more experience than me. This class is really allowing me to understand how important the job of the principal is in shaping the culture of the campus. As far as my action research project of choice.....To research and implement a multi-sensory learning environment for students with sensory processing disorders. Sounds exciting? More details to come.

What Action Research Means to Me

Action Research is a powerful professional development tool. It empowers teachers and administrators to take ownership in the research process.(Ringler, EdD Pg. 27) Action research is also an effective tool for improving teaching and learning. In leadership, I have always asked myself the question, “Why do I do what I do?". This is one of the basic building blocks of what action research is to me. No longer is it effective to just take the out of date data at face value and implement it. This is so important in education today. We must be leaders that research and collaborate to find answers to the new world of education. We must take ideas and turn them inside out to see if they meet the need. This process makes for strong campus environments and it will help to measure success. This type of research can be used in many different ways. Curriculum oversight is perhaps the most important. The team collaboration no longer leaves one person isolated on decision making. (Ringler, EdD Pg. 27) Action research can also be used effectively in technology integration by building a team of administrators and teachers to find ways to use technology in the classroom. I could go on and on about how action research can be useful in the school environment. I am still learning about this type of inquiry, but it excites me to learn that administrators are willing to work together to meet the needs of our schools. Ringler, EdD, Marjorie. "Journal of Scholarship & Practice." Journal of Scholarship & Practice. Volume 4.No. 1 (2007): Pg. 27. Print.