Action Research- What I've learned & How I'll use it.

After reflecting on the assigned readings on Action Research this week there a are a number of things I have learned.  Most amazing was the fact that, as a teacher, I have been using action research for half of my teaching career.  With constant changes in the science curriculum alignment at the junior high level, I have often gathered student data, researched best practices for topics students have struggled with, and incorporated my findings into instruction.  I have also assessed the effectiveness of my classroom instruction and modified or completely changed my instruction based on reflections regarding student input.  From my reading, I has also learned why the principal is often frustrated regarding the lack of feedback and results after Leadership Team meetings.   Even though there is always an agenda, these meetings are informal, unstructured, and unproductive.  Discussions are easily pulled off topic and often descend into gripe sessions.  We get handouts from the administrators to "Look at when you have the time and get back to me with any comments."  These meeting would be much more effective in producing results toward improving student learning if an inquiry model was used.  Setting protocols with time limits set for topics to be discussed would allow for true collegial dialogue and inquiry practices to occur.  In this setting learning will occur with valid results produced because everyone will be actively involved in the process.  Using the action research model for professional development moves to learning away from the passive sit & get model.  Action research enables the participants to reflect on the "what and how" of an issue so that ownership is achieved. What is the issue?  What is causing the issue?  What can we do to correct the issue?  How will we know if the solution is working?  If it's not working, What do we need to do differently? 
The possible was I will be using action research; When designing professional development in the future, it will be planned with action research in mind.  Time will be given to look at data and research, reflection on what is learned, collaborative discussions on possible solutions, evaluation of effectiveness, and conscience on the course of action to be taken.  When leading meetings in the future, there will be an agenda, protocol, and set time limits for discussion.