Action Plan-Cell or Smart Phones in the Classroom

This weeks assignment of creating an action plan was overwhelming for me. I did not feel that I was prepared to take on this challenge. I spoke with a couple of others and they assured me that I was not alone. Then I had to step back and try to take on step at a time. I think I read something in one of the books about staying focused, and not getting side-tracked on things that do not pertain to your subject. I had so much research I was trying to decipher it was getting hard for me to focus on the task. But I finally completed the assignment, better late than never.



Action Planning Template
Goal: Identify how cell phones or smart phones can be incorporated on campus and in
the classroom to enrich curriculum and improve communication.
Action Steps(s):
Person(s) Responsible:
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation
Action Steps(s):

Step One:

a. Getting Acceptable User Policy for
cell phone usage updated
Principal; Technology Director; Technology/Computer Teachers
Before school starts in August
Acceptable User Policy from last year; Example of other districts AEP.

Updated AEP

b. Setting up student training on safety seminar using
a smart phone and the dangers and responsibilities that
it requires for operation in a school environment

Technology/Computer Teachers

Within the first two weeks of classes

Training videos on Cyber bullying; Internet Safety

Students successful completion of quiz over training sessions.

c. Permission Forms form parents and students.
Technology/Computers
Teachers
Within the first two weeks of classes
Permission Form; Social Contract for Students using the phones.
All required signatures

Step Two:
d. Analyze Data for student referrals due to cell phone abuse.
Anglethia Collins; Asst. Principal

Aug-Sept

Discipline Referrals

Spreadsheet of data from referrals

e. Administer surveys of students, teachers on the use of cell phones in the classroom.
Anglethia Collins

Aug-Sept

Surveys on Cell Phone Use in Classroom

Completion of survey and dissemination of data into usable form.

f. Interview CIP team on their concerns of the inquiry research.

Anglethia Collins;
CIP Team; Principal

1st Meeting of the 2010-2011 school year

Survey Monkey;
Pre-selected question on the inquiry research; video camera; tape recorder.

Completion of survey and dissemination of data into usable form.

Step Three:
g. Implement a lesson that incorporates the use of cell or smart phones in the classroom.

Technology/Computer Teachers
Ongoing during the school year.

Online Lessons; “Toys to Tool”; Internet; Web 2.0 resources.
Interactive Students; Completed projects;

Step Four:
h. Conduct a survey at the end of the year for feedback on the research
Technology/Computer Teachers; CIP Team;
May 2011

Survey Monkey; Technology/
Computer Teachers
Students and parents feedback. More teachers using the technology in classrooms.

i. Collect and analyze the number of referrals for the end of the year of cell phone abuse.

Asst Principal; Anglethia Collins

May-June 2011

Discipline Referrals

Decline in the number of referrals because of cell phones.

Step Five:
j. Self reflection

Anglethia Collins

June 2011

Self evaluation

Reflection of plans of action taken and processes.

Week Two-Action Research

This week I have gained insight on the benefits of action research and its importance from the interveiw of Dr. Kirk Lewis, Superintendent, Pasadena ISD. He stressed that reseach should always be active. He also stated that when you do research make sure it is practical to you. In doing this you will benefit in three ways. They are:

1. You will be more interested in the research
2. You will be more focused on the outcome, and
3. Your students on campus will benefit from a practical point of view rather than theoretical.

Week One-Action Research

Action research is the intentional study or effort of a principal or practitioner to stop and review their actions of a particular situation. If you are not satisfied with the results, make changes in your practice based on new understandings of why you made the choices you did at that time.

In the traditional educational research, it is mostly conducted by outside experts in more controlled environments. They use this information to inform the population at hand. The principal's role is to implement the research findings of outside experts. Action research is generally conducted by educational practitioners. The goal of action research focuses on the concerns of practitioners, not outside researchers. It engagespractitioners in the design, data collection and interpretation of data around their question or concern.

Reflection is an important leadership skill because it is used to help one think deeply about a specific circumstance and then take action and make necessary adjustments. A leader has to combine both action and reflection to gain experience. A good leader learns from prior mistakes and using that knowledge adjusts for future decision making.

How might I use this blog?
It has been suggested that as a principal it would be helpful to use this blog as an online diary to capture my thoughts. Some ideas may be shared online, while other thoughts are just for brainstorming solutions before you forget your ideas.