SMART CPS Training

September 21st: Taught a CPS (Classroom Performance System) beginner training for 15 of my co-workers. Went through how to install the program, set up a class, add students, add assignments, etc. The training went very good. I have help 3 teachers set up the system on their classroom computers.

Oct 12th: Taught a Smart Board intermediate training for 13 teachers at my school. Other teachers brought activities to share.

Action Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: Increase student engagement through at least once a week use of classroom technology.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Step 1 Professional Development for teachers.	TI Navigators: Mrs. Hudson E-Instruction response systems: Mrs. Postlethwait and other staff. Smart boards: Mrs. Sloan	Start: September 2011 End: April 2012	TI Navigators The TI Navigator training 6 times this year. Staff conducted training for the Smart Boards and CPS System	Teacher input how comfortable they are using the given technology. Possible survey
Step 2 Pre-survey, Mid-survey and Final survey	Mrs. Postlethwait and Participating teachers and classes	Start: September 2011 End: April 2012	Survey Monkey Hand printed student surveys.	Data analysis through the use of surveys. Student Grades
Step 3 Each teacher encouraged to use the technology 1 to 3 times a week on average.	Participating Math, Science, History and Language Arts Teachers	Start: September 2011 End: April 2012	Math Teachers: TI Navigators and Smart Boards Science, History, Language Arts: Smart boards and CPS Systems	Student and Teachers Surveys. Student Grades
Step 4 Technology use documented in Lesson Plans	All Staff: Smart Boards TI Navigators CPS System	Start: September 2011 End: April 2012	Lesson Plans on shared Drive	Monitor Lesson Plans for Compliance
Step 4 Data Collection and Analysis of student engagement and teacher use of technology.	Mrs. Postlethwait and Participating Teachers	Ongoing and Frequently	Surveys and Grade Results	Student Surveys Student Grades Teacher Surveys: Student engagement. Teacher Survey: Regarding time Ease of use
Step 5 Involve New Teachers after sharing the Data results. Staff development.	Mrs. Wilson Mrs. Postlethwait Current Teachers using the systems.	Start: January 2012 End: April 2012	Classroom response systems	Teacher pre and post surveys

Action Planning Template
Goal: Increase student engagement through at least once a week use of classroom response systems.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Step 1 Professional Development for teachers.	TI Navigators: Mrs. Hudson E-Instruction Classroom response systems: Mrs. Postlethwait and staff that already uses them.	Start: September 2011 End: April 2012	TI Navigators The TI Navigator training is scheduled for the school year.	Teacher input how comfortable they are using the given technology. Possible survey
Step 2 Pre-survey, Mid-survey and Final survey for Teachers and Students	Mrs. Postlethwait and Participating teachers and classes.	Start: September 2011 End: April 2012	Survey Monkey Hand printed student surveys.	Data analysis through the use of surveys.
Step 3 Each teacher using the technology 1 to 3 times a week on average.	Participating Teachers Core Subjects	Start: September/ October 2011 End: April 2012	TI Navigators for Math Teachers CPS systems for other teachers.	Student and Teachers Surveys. Student Grades
Step 4 Data Collection and Analysis	Mrs. Postlethwait And Participating Teachers	Ongoing and Frequently	Surveys and Grade Results	Surveys and Grade Results
Step 5 Solicit new Teachers to try using the CPS after sharing the Data results and Holding another how to use staff development.	Mrs. Wilson Mrs. Postlethwait Current Teachers using the systems.	Start: January 2012 End: April 2012	Classroom response systems	Teacher pre and post surveys

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Educational Leaders Using Blogs

Educational leaders can utilize blogs to receive feedback from other professionals around the world concerning their action research projects. Blogging provides a useful avenue for sharing ideas for school improvement. Educational leaders can share their research, data findings, and collaborate with other educators through this medium. It is an excellent way to collaborate with colleagues.

What I learned about Action Research

I learned that action research evaluates a proposed change to a particular situation. The topic involves an issue about which I as an administrator feel passionate. Examples of topics include issues such as: student state test scores, classroom management practices and student engagement to name a few. For example, as an administrator I may have a project or idea of interest to research to investigate if change is appropriate. Action research allows me to explore a common question or wondering by collecting data to gain information about the topic of interest. By exploring professional journals, books and online resources, I am able to substantiate the current campus findings. This research may bring about a change in process, expectations, or common practices in our school environment. I can pursue action research individually or with a team of teachers and administrators. This research becomes a professional development tool to share the information learned throughout the research to the entire staff.

An action research project I would like to pursue involves increasing student engagement in my classroom and our school through technology. Our school has purchased several smart boards and classroom response systems to increase student engagement . I would like to explore whether the increased use of this technology promotes student engagement and ultimately leads to higher test scores.