Online Learning Community- The Action Research Plan

GOALS:
The goal of this action research project is to prove that delivering staff development through an online learning community will improve staff development by increasing participation, offering relevant and timely topics and increasing communication and collaboration amongst teachers while also increasing technology use in the classroom.

ACTIVITIES:
Activities that will support the achievement of the goal include researching an appropriate tool to use as a delivery system; researching the areas of technical deficiency on our campus; designing a survey to serve as a “wish list” of desired staff development topics; searching for and creating relevant and timely content to be uploaded into the system; presenting/implementing the new tool; and lastly, providing “hot topics” for ongoing communication and collaboration amongst the staff.

NEEDED RESOURCES:
Resources that are necessary to achieve the goal are the internet, laptops, projectors, eInstruction clickers, Survey Monkey, content compiled by the principal, myself and the campus technologist, and the STaR chart results. These resources will allow us to plan, create, implement and maintain the program that we are attempting to launch.

TIMELINE:
Research on the delivery system, content and discussion topics began the week of July 21st and will continue through August 13th as we will go “live” on August 16th. The “wish list” survey will be completed during the August 9-13th timeframe. The technology survey is already completed and will be sent out to teachers the week of August 9th to prepare for the meeting on the 16th. The discussion topics as well as the future staff development courses will be an ongoing endeavor.

PERSONS (S) RESPONSIBLE:
The bulk of responsibility will remain with me; however, our principal (Leslie) and our campus technologist (Sharon) will play a very prominent role in providing content and direction for the staff development delivery system.

MONITORING:
The method of monitoring the development and implementation stages will be through detailed discussions practice sessions with the principal. Feedback will also be necessary from the campus technologist as well as the district instructional technology coordinator. A select group of lead teachers will also provide feedback.

ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS:
A verbal and written (electronic) survey will be given to the staff to determine the perception of value, relativity, timeliness and ease of use of the new delivery tool. Review by the district instructional technology coordinator and a representative from the district staff development office will also be requested. Lastly, a quantitative study on the number of staff using the system and any issues that arise will be conducted.