Computer Lab Time

Students are going to the computer lab and are doing 2 days of Math-Facts-In-A-Flash studying facts, 2 days in Study Island studying math concepts as they might appear on the STAAR test, and one day of learning.com (beginning with internet safety).  Computer lab time will be daily from 10:45 - 11:15.

How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs in many ways.  One way leaders can use blogs is when working on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), people on the team can log in their thoughts as they work on the issue.  Others on the team can make comments on other team members' thoughts - clarifying, questioning, or even praising another team member on their thoughts on the item.   Another way blogs can be used is by just documenting or journaling ones own thoughts.  There are numerous ways a blog can be used. It just depends on how creative the owner of the blog wants to be.

What is Action Research?

Action research is where a teacher or an administrator takes professional development and allows them to be in charge of their own learning.  An action research can either be on the personal level or at the school improvement level.  An action research makes the person look at their own values as an educator.  They pick topics that interest them for self growth.  For example, the use of technology has become a very important issue in school today.  A person who has little knowledge of technology can choose to improve their knowledge by taking classes and collaborating with others on how technology is or can be used.  At the school improvement level, the person can work with other in collaboration to locate issues that can cause improvement in students work and learning.  The group researches the issue that needs to be resolved, come up with a plan of action, implement that plan, and then evaluate the implementation.  During the evaluation period, they analyze if any improvement has been made.  If there has been improvement, they set up a monitoring period to ensure that any additional adjustments need to be made.  If the desired results are not made, then they make adjustment accordingly.  They cycle continues until the desired results are meet.