I'm leading....but wait....who's following???

Have you ever been busy "leading" only to realize that nobody is following?  That’s my reality this week.  I have been working (apparently spinning my wheels) to get TTM implemented fully in the 3^rd-5^th classes on my campus.

A couple of weeks ago, we met at a staff meeting and I shared the benefits and nuts/bolts of TTM and teachers seemed excited.  The next week, several teachers brought their classes to the computer lab (my office is conveniently located in the lab, so I am able to participate).  I did a mini-lesson for their classes and taught students how to use the program.  Everybody was excited….until network issues caused the program to freeze.  Then it freeze some more.  Repeat. Repeat.  

I’ve contacted IT umpteen times and I think we have resolved the issues (something to do with the required flash being blocked on our servers).  However, the only experience teachers have with TTM is frustration, so they are not too eager to try again. 

I’ve done some more research and participated in a webinar to learn more about the program.  Though I am not at all impressed with the reports they have available at this time (hideous, I tell you!) they promise that they are working on them and will have fabulous reports available in November/December.  I’m trusting them for the time being.  And I’m also going to be a squeaky wheel that will ensure they don’t forget their promise. 

I plan to do a little more training (and reassuring) for teachers.  And the best part is, I’m going to initiate a friendly competition on our campus – each week, a trophy will go to the student who earns the most points (the more you engage in TTM, the more points you earn – doesn’t matter if you are a struggling student or an honor student – your efforts will pay off in points).  We may do a Kiss the Pig contest, too. But don’t tell my principal that yet.

Action Plan - Here goes nothing....

This week we were asked to plan the specifics for our research project.  See below for my plan:

Action Planning Template
Goal:  Is Think Through Math an effective mathematics intervention that can improve student math performance and close gaps in math achievement?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Investigate the actions necessary to implement TTM and gain a practical knowledge of how it is intended to be used (i.e. enrolling students, setting up classes, etc.)	Tami Knight	September, 2012-September, 2012	Computer with internet and resources from TTM website	Notes
Gather growth data for target group of students from STAR Math for previous school year	Tami Knight	September, 2012 – September, 2012	Computer, STAR Math software	Data and notes
Create classes and upload student data to TTM system	Tami Knight	September, 2012 – September, 2012	Computer, TTM software, class lists	Notes, compare TTM class lists to school records to ensure all are enrolled
Train teachers in the use of TTM and set up times for students to use the computers in the lab	Tami Knight	September, 2012 – September, 2012	Computer, TTM training video, master schedule	Notes
Establish baseline score using STAR Math	Tami Knight	September, 2012 – September, 2012	Computer lab, STAR Math software, scheduled time in computer lab	Student data
Monitor the launch of TTM and help troubleshoot technical difficulties	Tami Knight	October, 2012 – October, 2012	Computer, TTM software, technology technicians	Student reports from TTM
Periodically monitor that TTM is being used regularly by targeted groups	Tami Knight	October, 2012 – May, 2013	Computer, TTM software reports	Student reports from TTM
Progress monitor targeted group of students	Tami Knight	October, 2012 – May, 2013	Computer, TTM software reports	Student reports from TTM
Check for validity and make adjustments as needed	Tami Knight	October, 2012 – May, 2013	Computer, TTM software reports, conferencing with teachers	Student reports from TTM, notes

Let's see....I'll choose Door #2! (Selecting an action research topic)

This week, my assignment was to select the topic that I'd like to research as a part of my administrative internship.  I had found three topics that were of interest to me:
1.)  Is there a relationship between reassigning a veteran teacher to a new grade level and her "getting out of a rut".
2.)  Is the use of Think Through Math (TTM) effective in closing gaps in our 3rd-5th grade math program?
3.) Is the use of Lexia effective in improving TPRI scores in our Kinder - 2nd grades?

My site supervisor and I quickly eliminated choice #1 - how in the world would we do that without stepping on a teacher's toes??  That left Lexia and TTM.  We decided that there really aren't enough math interventions available to us, and we are very interested in closing those gaps.  Therefore, TTM it is!

I plan to compare the results from our current year STAR Math assessment (growth reports) to those from last year when we weren't using TTM.  STAR Math is a component of Renaissance Place - it serves as a diagnostic test to identify a student's strengths/weaknesses and it gives an approximately grade level equivalent to the student.  Our students take the STAR Math at least three times per year (beginning, middle and end of year) and more often for our struggling students.

Our teachers have already started using the program and, aside from some technical glitches, students and teachers seem to be really enjoying it!

Blogging: Educators Unite!

Writing a blog is a new thing for me.  One way it might be useful is to provide for the sharing of ideas and experiences through a different, interactive forum.  Peers in my class, as well as peers in my school district, can share ideas and provide feedback through the comment section.  It helps keep us connected in an easy-to-use way that allows for us to communicate on our own schedules - no need to meet at a certain time to collaborate.  

Action Research in a Nutshell

This week I began a new course in working toward my masters in school administration.  This course, EDLD 5301, focuses on action research.  At first glance, I assumed we were going to be doing research on "best practices" in the hopes that someday we would incorporate them into our new positions as leaders.  I was only partially correct.

Action research is a cyclical process in which an educator identifies a need or problem, then investigates an action plan or a solution to address the need. After this, he/she will evaluate the results of the plan using data and, reflect on its success (or lack thereof), then share results with peers.  This process can be visualized as a spiral.

The important difference between action research  and traditional research is that traditional research is performed by "outsiders" (often considered "experts") and is intended to meet the needs of a large population.  Action research is performed by the educator, for the educator.  The results are intended solely for the improvement of the researcher's own classroom or campus.

I've already got a few ideas working in the back of my mind for my own action research plan.  One idea is to implement a change in our campus's math program using a new software I just learned about.  I'm eager to get the ball rolling!  

Happy researching to all! :)