Blogs in Education

Educators could take advantage of using blogs for outside the classroom interaction between students for research, assignments, and other projects. The can be used as tools for a continuous update for parents and students of current assignments and activities. They could also simply be a way to communicate for important messages or announcements for the class.

Action Research

Action research is an effective tool an individual can use to better understand as well as evaluate a specific process or topic. Unlike general research that typically deals with topics outside the realm of the practitioner, action research generally has a direct affect on the practitioner. Action research can be used to improve curriculum, develop and support personal, provide or restructure school policy, and even as professional development. This type of research is not limited to those that are indirectly involved; rather it is encourage to be completed by those more directly involved including: teachers, counselors, principals and even superintendents. The basis of the research is grounded by two primary fundamentals: data collection and personal reflection. Action research needs some type of empirical data to provide a foundation for change to start as well as constant personal reflection. The reflection provides a deeper understanding of the process and creates a more personal attachment to the practitioner which increases the chances of success for the research.