Week 4 Reflection

This week's focus was on strategies to support and sustain our action research. In order for schools to effectively sustain improvement, Harris, Edmonson, and Combs (2010) gave explanation to the specific strategies of  “Force Field Analysis, the Delphi Method, and Nominal Group Technique” (p. 94). I learned that Force Field Analysis was where “driving forces for change must exceed the resisting forces against the change” (Harris et al., 2010, p.94).  I can see where this is evident throughout our current school settings with program implementation, curriculum changes, and assessment requirements. It is my understanding that in order for leaders to effectively sustain improvements, they should follow appropriate procedures and guidelines to elicit collaborative decision making. This strategy could be effective while conducting my research because it will help support my basis for change while allowing for valued input and informed decision making to occur. Teachers will be able to clearly understand the circumstances which brought about this change and proposed reading intervention plan. The Delphi Method utilizes rounds of questionnaires in order to form a group consensus for decision making. This method provides a confidential way for administrators to collectively gain insights and deeper understanding. The benefit of this strategy is that it is a confidential way for information to be shared, synthesized, and ranked for consensus purposes. It allows the participants to voice their personal beliefs and the leeway of completing the task without time constraints. The Nominal Group Technique also builds on “consensus and leads to genuine school improvement” (Harris et al., 2010, p.96). This particular strategy may be utilized during my action research in order to build consensus during faculty meetings. It involves small group discussions where participants can openly express their needs/issues on the given topics.

Reference

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 

          8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.