Reflection of Research Course

I felt that this course overall was very easy to follow and understand.  Everything was clearly explained and organized.However, I thought that the lectures basically contained information that we read or were told about in weekly overviews.  Honestly, I did not find the lectures that necessary.  I thought that the readings were very helpful and were an easy read.  Both books contained vital information for action research that I did not know.  On the other hand, I thought that it would have been more helpful if we were told about purchasing the books earlier or if the assigned readings would not start the first week.  I had to have a rush on the books so I could do the assignment.  I thought the assignments were relevant to what we needed to do for the action research study.  I also thought that they were not too difficult that it took hours to complete.  They were appropriate and reasonable.  The discussion board questions and topics were helpful in the action research plan  by posting responses to what we have been doing.  Since not many people posted comments on our blogs this was the only source of feedback.  I think that it should have been posted the first week that we need to post on others blogs.  We were not told about this until week 3 and therefore I personally got behind.

Updated Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan
Goal: For 6th Grade students to improve their fitness levels in 6 months, by having Fitnessgram software and non-traditional exercises built into their physical education class
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Conduct Fitnessgram fitness testing	Janean Marxen Jay Mastandrea* Tom Hochkeppel* Robyn Levine* (*other PE teachers in my school)	October 15th to October 31st	Fitnessgram software	Compute all scores into Fitnessgram software
Decide what non-traditional activities are to be incorporated into the class	Janean Marxen	November 15th to May 15th	Jay Mastandrea Tom Hochkeppel Robyn Levine Online resources	Group dialogue (once a month meeting to decide what we will do for that month)
Give students recording of their fitness scores from Fitnessgram software	Janean Marxen Jay Mastandrea Tom Hochkeppel Robyn Levine	November 15th to December 15th	Fitnessgram software	Handouts from Fitnessgram software
Incorporate non-traditional activities into daily warm-up routines	Janean Marxen Jay Mastandrea Tom Hochkeppel Robyn Levine	November 15th to May 15th	Each other and online sources	Group dialogue (once a week to discuss progress)
Class discussion about fitness progress, activities, and software use with students	Janean Marxen Jay Mastandrea Tom Hochkeppel Robyn Levine	November 15th to May 15th	Students	Group dialogue once a month
Conduct Fitnessgram fitness testing	Janean Marxen Jay Mastandrea Tom Hochkeppel Robyn Levine	May 1st to May 15th	Fitnessgram software	Compute all scores into Fitnessgram software
Give students recording of their fitness scores from Fitnessgram software	Janean Marxen Jay Mastandrea Tom Hochkeppel Robyn Levine	May 15th to June 1st	Fitnessgram software	Handouts from Fitnessgram software
Compile results from Fall and Spring testing	Janean Marxen	June 1st to June 15th	Self	Charts
Analyze data	Janean Marxen	June 15th to June 30th	Previous studies from other researchers	Research project completed

CARE Model: Planning Tool

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)

(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Childhood Obesity

2. Improvement of student learning

3. Improvement of teacher learning

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)

(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Student participation in program

2. Student enjoyment of program

3. Teacher collaboration within department

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:

(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)

(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)

1.  Is student learning taking place?

2. Are teachers consistently incorporating non-traditional activities?

3. Are students enjoying the program?

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often

(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)

1. Reflective conversations with students monthly about activities and use of technology

2. Group discussions (departmental evaluation of activities implemented)

3. Walk-throughs (at least once a day) to see if students are having fun