3 Potential Research Topics

Identifying three possible topics for an action research proposal has presented somewhat of a challenge to me over the past weeks. I’ve read through the students’ discussion posts and blogs in order to glean some ideas, most of which have dealt with special populations of students such as special education students, Hispanic students, and below poverty level students. I have taught at my current campus for five years, and during that time have only taught ninth grade Honors English. Honestly speaking, in my classes I do not come into contact with most of these special populations, and I want to focus my action research on the students with whom I am in contact with on a day to day basis. Therefore, the following three potential topics are the ones I am considering as the emphasis of my action research project:
1. What is the effect of parental involvement, or lack thereof, on student success, specifically at the ninth grade level? AND What measures can be taken to improve parental involvement in the Freshman Academy at my campus?
2. What effect will the improvement of curriculum and delivery of instruction have on ninth grade Honors/Pre-AP students at my campus?
3. What effect will the implementation of a year-long literacy program have on ninth grade student reading levels and interest levels at my campus?

Blog Use

Educational leaders can use blogs in so many relevant and fun ways in today's technologically dependent atmosphere. For one, it's a great way to air out ideas, getting helpful tips and suggestions from other educational leaders. It's also a great way to view other leader's ideas as a catalyst for our own research. As a high school English teacher, I was already considering having my students create blogs this upcoming school year in order to post responses to literature, give and receive homework/quiz/test review help, etc., and after completing this part of the assignment, I've decided it's a sure thing.

Action Research Misconceptions

This week's lecture on action research was an enlightening one for me, as both a student in this program and as a high school English teacher. I realize that what I call a "research paper" to my students is more accurately named a "term paper." A proper action research paper is not simply a review of literature and prior research concerning a topic. A research paper or project does include literature and prior research review, but the basis of the project lies within the original and relevant research into a topic conducted by the student him or herself. In order to conduct a useful action research project, an educator must examine his or her own teaching or administrative practices and strategies, choose an area in which to conduct the systematic and ongoing research, and then utilize the findings in order to make the necessary changes as evidenced by the resulting data. Whether I choose to continue in the class upon completion of this graduate program, or decide to take on the challenge of an administrative position, I should continue to use action research based projects as the basis for improvement throughout my career.