Learning and Using Action Research

The role of the instructional leadership requires skills of facilitation and enpowerment, under a unifying vision, to provide effective learning experiences for students because no one instructional leader in isolation improves learning for all childern.  Therefore, teachers with the support of an instructional leader are provided support and direction necessary to address learning in their classroom.  Learner-centered leadership promotes the facilitation of action research in the classroom as a method of improving teaching and learning.  The action research process is an effective tool for improving teaching and learning with the instructional leader playing a vital role in the process by strengthening teachers' self-confidence and self-efficacy through action research.  Action research is grounded in scientific inquiry that tackles learning concerns in a case-study approach.

There are many benefits to using action research, a major benefit is the improvement of teaching when focusing on improving student achievement.  Facilitating the process as case studies, whole class, or whole school can be effective strategies for teachers' professional growth and accountability.  By engaging in the process of administrator action research with principals or teachers within your own building, you are forced out of isolation and surround yourself with other professionals conversing about practice in systematic and meaningful ways.