Ongoing Analysis and Reflection

EDU 675: Change Leadership for Differentiated Education Environment

Video Reflection:

After carefully reviewing the vide Action Research at a Glance by Silva (2011), it showed me that I need to resume my focus on using the learning cycle that was demonstrated in the video. Action research can be complicated. You must not only be consistent but also follow the rotation and the guide to be certain that I am doing what is projected for a successful research. Following the research cycle is imperative because it gives a blueprint of what to do with details; which will add confidence allow for a successful research. The video also provided a check list from start to finish, recognize problems, collect the data and understanding what was collected, move on the evidence collected, and finish by assessing the findings to decide on your next step.

I believed that I was on target with my research until I watched the video. I realized that her questions were on point and I needed to look further into the questions that I had. When her researched ended, all of her questions were answered and there were available strategies. If I consistently utilize the data that she listed; such as, self-assessment of skills, interviews, surveys and observations throughout the research and input a timeline of all data that was collected, I will be more successful. Lastly, I will check to see if I am needing to make any specifications or revisions before moving on.

Research Questions:

The research question that I would like to address is what forms of technology can I used to encourage Diamond’s ability to learn Reading and Math?

What kind of accommodations and/or modifications are available to address Diamonds disability?

What tools will I utilize to observe Diamonds learning on basic education and daily life skills?

These questions that were chosen can be answered when incorporating technology. Technology is used daily to boost or modify one’s ability to learn. As I continue to research my question, there was one website that I found that stated,” learning delivers a momentum amount of benefits to students and it also allows some dictatorship for a student.” Children are able to change at their own speed, grow in their technological knowledge and vocational skills (at the same time) that can be used outside of school in the real world. Students with disabilities who were normally provided with inadequate service will now be able to learn at equal amount of time as their peers; giving credit to speech synthesizers and voice recognition systems. Students with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or who are not motivated to learn are more interested with activities on tablets or computers dealing with sounds and images. Reality is that students have become academically motivated due to technology.

The term technology refers to progress in the approaches and tools that we use to resolve problems or accomplish a targeted goal (University of Washington, 2016). In the classroom, technology can be incorporate all types of learning tools from paper, tablets, conferencing tools, online partnership and more. We are now offered the opportunity to try things in a virtual class setting. In order to know what will be used, you must first decide on what you are trying to achieve (University of Washington, 2016).

The teachers at Billabong Elementary described their principal as a “visionary.” One of the visions of the principal was introducing technology to the students at the school. The school now has a collection of computers and software. This has been made possible through grant writing and school business partners. The principal is fully committed to technology at Billabong because of the gap he sees daily between real world issues and the school. It is his belief that one way to connect the gap is by implementing technology as an added effort to prepare students for the twenty-first century (Mills, 2014).

Data Collection:

My data collection plan includes questions involving Intellectual Disability (ID) and Learning Disability (LD) modifications and technology. My research will incorporate observations, face to face interviews, and surveys regarding student progress during the research and offer a timeline of all the data gathered. My research will include quantitative and qualitative research methods to simplify my research process on disabilities. Mills states that qualitative research concentrates on how people behave in a normal setting and explains the way of their world. Quantitative research concentrates on target actions that can be measured (Mills, 2014).

When using surveys as part of my research, it gives thorough information that I will need in helping me with the improvements made in the evaluation. In my research I also read that formative assessment monitors student learning to give constant feedback that can be utilized by the instructor to advance their learning. Formative assessments aide’s students in detecting their strengths, weaknesses and target areas that need more attention, help staff in finding areas where students are having difficulty in and targeting and focusing on those areas immediately (CMU, 2008).

Observation is imperative because it provides real life prospective when finding what goes into the research. This will help me and the staff on findings and help in making decisions based on what we have observed during the research. It will give us the opportunity to see how technology can modify Diamond’s learning abilities and display if she has not mastered the content.

My interview will give my participant the opportunity to share her feelings and critical thinking skills on her learning abilities and the use of technology; while at the same time mastering targeted goals within the classroom and daily life.

My research and data has initiated and set my research into motion; while allowing me and the staff the opportunity to understand Diamond’s learning abilities, seeing her struggles and pinpointing what is most effective and beneficial for her.

References

Nancy Silva, (2011). Action Research at a Glance [Video file]. Retrieved on April 9, 2018. From http://youtuve.com/watch?v=LGt_jKuMTP4

Carnegie Mellon University (2008). What is the Difference between Formative and Summative Assessment? Retrieved on April 10, 2018 from https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/assessments/basics/formative-summative.html

Buczynski, S. & Hansen, B.C. (2014). The Change Leader in Education: Roles and Strategies in the Differentiated Environment. Retrieved from http://content.ashford.edu/books/AUEDU675.14.1/sections/fm

Mills, G.E. (2014). Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher. 5th Ed, Boston, MA: Pearson Education

University of Washington (2016). Center for Teaching and Learning. What do we mean by Technology? Retrieved on April 9, 2018 from http://www.washington .edu/teaching-resources/