Action Research

After reading a few articles related to Action Research (AR) in education, this model seems to closely reflect the "improvement cycle" that most educators have been trained in.  AR is a valuable research model in that it forces practitioners (us) to study, understand, and improve our own actions...sort of a self-evaluation of our own behavior used in making decisions for resolving a particular issue or problem.  It gives us opportunity to practice the type of independent learning behavior  we want from our own kids:  identify a problem; attempt a solution; if your attempt fails, that's okay; figure out why it failed; try another solution.  We all know how powerful that "cycle" is to the learning process. 

I can see the benefits of using Action Research in most decision making that goes on on my campus now...I can certainly see how it would benefit me in the role of a superintendent, as well.  If we were to incorporate this process in our daily decision-making practices, it would mean daily self-reflections and monitoring, and analyzing our own actions with regard to outcomes; we would all be better leaders for having done so.  Imagine how powerful that could be.  It would give us an opportunity to recognize and understand our own leadership practices and how to improve our practices...a chance to "self-diagnose." 

And, best of all, with the technology at our fingertips, we have a chance to share what we learn about ourselves with each other!