02-06 - Gelling

While reflecting about my AR, I've realized that I seem to be so focused on actually being able to say that I've successfully cultivated a Community of Practice that I've lost sight of the reasons for choosing this for my AR. My first reason for choosing this as my AR is that it will help me to do my job better. I think that because we are so often exposed to traditional research, we often get caught up in doing things to make the organization better. But, being involved in education is really about one's self. How can I do a better job: be a better teacher, a better consultant, a better trainer, a better leader, etc. It's about whatever you decide needs improvement. Action research helps the individual became a more powerful version of themself. Be the change you want to make.....

Since meeting with my group for the first time, I've discovered many wonderful things happening. The members of this group are seeking me out for help and assistance. They are excited about new possibilities. I've begun sending out weekly messages related to education in general to this group. I want to see if my sharing of thoughts helps to encourage them to share their thoughts. It's still in the early stages, and I will probably make changes and adjustments. The biggest challenge that I will need to overcome among the staff in general is time constraints--time concerns--time management. I think that over time I want to begin to help them discover that there is a difference between professional development and professional growth. I think that often educators resent having to committ time outside of work to their jobs. I can see their point. But, isn't there a difference between "growing professionally for your employer" and "growing professionally for yourself?" I think there is.

Is my research question still answerable and worth answering? Yes, I based on some of the outcomes of this cycle, I believe that my main research question is appropriate. The staff in my division are new computer users who would benefit from the use of online collaboration tools that provide opportunties to connect with other itinerant members. Through connecting with others on a regular basis, our staff members will have opportunities to gain new knowledge, leverage the experience of others, and share ideas and concerns--something that is difficult to do at the present. Additionally, I sense that there may be some members of the division who are not really connected to our practice or other members of the division. These tools will provide an opportunity to "bring these members" into our practice. Additionally, this project has been an excellent vehicle for me to connect with some of the staff members and provides me with a way to learn about the culture of the division.

Are my data collection technqiues catching the kind of data I want and filtering out the kind of data that I don't want? Yes, I am capturing the data that I want, I'm not as sure that I'm filtering out the data that I don't want. I am able to identify central themes and concerns based on what I'm collecting so I feel that my methods are adequate. It is now obvious to me that without this collection I would not be aware of many of the issues, concerns, attitudes that are surfacing.

For my next cycle, I'd like to think about other unique ways to collect data.