Action Plan

BYOD Action Plan
Goal:  I will research my campus BYOD (bring your own device) program to determine ways it is effectively being used in the classrooms. ·         Through the use of teacher and student interviews and anonymous surveys, I hope to discern what is working and what areas we can improve. ·         Design and implement a campus wiki where teachers can view and share ideas that are effective.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Review BYOD policy	Self	October 2011	BYOD policy	Gain an understanding of the policy as implemented in the district
Create anonymous teacher survey to solicit effective ways in which they are implementing the BYOD program and ideas that weren’t effective.	Self Site Supervisor, Lisa Rubio	November/December 2001	Survey Monkey - teacher survey	Create a list of ideas that have been used effectively.
Conduct interviews with department heads (core classes, electives, special education) and assistant principal to discuss the effectiveness (including what works and what doesn’t) of the program and discover ways they are seeing  the BYOD program being used in the classrooms.	Self Department Heads	December/January	Time to meet with department heads. Lesson plans from teachers. Meeting space. Computer for note taking.	Review informal interview notes. Make list of effective lessons. Document how the program is working and ways it could be improved.
Meet with technology facilitator to find out other ways teachers are using the BYOD program throughout the district and get additional implementation suggestions.	Self Technology Facilitator	January	Time to meet with technology facilitator.	Create list of suggested activities. Compare and contrast suggested activities with what is actually being done by teachers.
Survey students in department heads classes to discern which BYOD activities they enjoy, and don’t enjoy, and any ideas they have for implementing the program.	Self	February	Survey Monkey-student survey	Create a list of enjoyed activities. Create a list of recommended activities.
Conduct internet search of current BYOD programs.	Self	Ongoing	Internet	Compile a list of additional best practices and ideas to consider for implementation.
Create a wiki that details BYOD activities and allows teachers to share and comment on others ideas. Include a section for teachers to post activities that were NOT effective.	Self	February/March	Wikispaces	Monitor wiki and remind teachers to post ideas.
Post blog reflections and ongoing wonderings, ideas for continued development.	Self	Ongoing	Blog	Reflect and document progress.

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

5301 Research for Teachers Week 2

This year my school district has instituted a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program into the secondary schools. I plan to research how this program is being integrated into the curriculum. 

I’m unsure about what guidelines the secondary teachers have been given about ways the BYOD program can be used. I plan to survey teachers, administrators, technology facilitators, and students on how BYOD is being used in the classrooms.Once I gather the data, I will create a resource, possibly a wiki, that includes activities that are being used in my school. This will be beneficial to all teachers as they embark on this new technological journey, and will help evaluate if the program is effective and ways to improve it, if necessary. 

Ways in which educational leaders can use blogs:

The traditional way for researchers to log their thinking and discovery was through journaling.  Weblogs are taking the place of journaling as a tool for reflecting on their data analysis. An advantage of blogging over journaling is that the blogger can “combine text, images, and links to other blogs, as well as post comments in an interactive format.” (Fichman, 2009, p 87).  

Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Action Research:

I’ve learned that action research can be a powerful tool for teachers and administrators. When I think of research, I think of a very formal and complex progress. I like the fact that action research is an informal way to reflect on your current teaching methods and analyze what is working and what can be improved. I am impressed at all the ways that action research is being used in educational settings. It wasn’t surprising that it is being used in university coursework. I did find it interesting that action research is becoming increasingly popular in school districts.  Dedicating time for this during principal meetings makes perfect sense.  With their hectic, everyday, schedules it is crucial that time be set aside for this reflection and improvement process. In addition to the action research project for this class, I could see my department meetings having time dedicated to the process of reviewing current processes and methods and analyzing what is working and what changes could be made.  This would ensure that everyone was up-to-date on the curriculum and that all members of the team were implementing it consistently.  It will be an adjustment finding the time for this practice, but will be very beneficial for the team.