Inquiry Questions

This weeks reading helped me to see that action research is not about the Superintendent finding a study completed by a group or University to be the project for the next three years. Action research is about seeking real solutions to the Real-World Dilemmas that are faced at schools everyday.

Action research requires Administrators to stop, focus and engage teachers and students to see the problem to draft an action plan. The engagement is what I think makes action research so successful. Showing an interest in a person or situation by asking questions shows people that you care.

Choosing an inquiry question is difficult when you are not in the school environment. I don't think it would have been so hard to choose an area of interest if this was not summer. However, once I started to think about problems from during the school year I was able to develop three questions quickly.

• Why do teachers not utilize the technology that is available in the school?
• How can the use of technology in the classroom be used to improve the feedback provided to students?
• How can technology be utilized to improve parental involvement?

Blogging for Leaders

Blogging is a tool that Administrators can use to reflect on practices. Reflecting on actions can cause Administrators to become more intentional in their practices. "Sharing your inquiry in the form of a blog will help you play with, develop, and challenge ideas that have developed about your administrative practice as a result of engaging in inquiry"(Dana, 2009). Blogs also provide a platform to provide findings and solutions to inquiries.

Action Research

Action research for administrators is about administrators not losing touch with what is actually going on in their school, learning community, or district. By first inquiring about current practices the administrator can gain a better understanding of what works and how to make improvements. The Administrator starts with open ended questions with the intention of investigating problems. The administrator has to schedule time to plan and do improvement. "The initial steps in the improvement process take time for self and group reflection” (Harris, 2010).

Action research practices can be used to improve schools and bring about change. Through inquiry and reflection you gain clarity about the problem that needs to be solved. Once data has been interpreted and there is clarity about the problem an action plan can be developed to make a change. Inquiry is a cylindrical process because once the action plan has been implemented and evaluated there may be a need for more reflection, clarification, and a new action plan. (Dana, 2009)


Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2009). Examing what we do to improve our schools: 9 steps from analysis to action. LArchmont, N.Y.: Eye on Education.