What I've Learned About Action Research

After beginning to learn about action research I believe it is out of many current educators comfort zones.  I for one am used to being given information, and asked to learn it and apply it in my classroom.  Although there was a time when I went through the motions of doing this to please superiors I now see the advantages of action research.  Firstly, it involves a more "local" feel where those people dealing with students at a campus each day can make decisions on what is best for their students, as opposed to just utilizing what may have worked for someone else in a different location.  I feel this is very important as we all know students learn a variety of different ways, and what may work on one campus for a specific group of students will not ensure success in a different setting.    In addition, I feel as educators we all like to be involved in the decision making process.  Action research allows us to do this by evaluating our practices and how they influence our specific students in our school.  This creates an campus with an abundance of educational leaders that can be problem solvers in their classroom and on their campus by posing their own questions and developing solutions.  As we move forward in a time when we want to ensure the success of all students I feel action research is an important tool in helping us achieve that goal.