Connections  

Updated on February 1, 2000

Remember, you need to be "...committed to taking action and effecting positive educational change..." (Mills, p. 4). Your research will enable you to develop some practices that many will use for years to come. So, your next step is to make sure you have reread and digested Geoffrey Mills' book through Chapter 2: Deciding on an Area of Focus. You have three tasks after you've completed your reading.

1. Meet with your Action Research group. The first task is to compare your problem / purpose statements with the sample "Area-of-Focus" statements on page 38 of Mills' guide. I think you'll see that you have pretty much accomplished the task of defining your focus statement. If revisions need to be made or word-smithing must be done, then this is the time to do that.
2. Second, study the 9 guidelines for the action research plan on page 38 paying particular attention to number 7. Examine your ideas and draft a working plan that incorporates those 9 guidelines. That is what you will present to the larger group for feedback.  
3. The third task is to post your plans and critique the action plans of your colleagues. Post your Action Plans to the Phorum by following this link to Action Research Plan.  Choose two colleagues who are NOT on your AR team and ask them to critique your plan sometime during this week.  Include those selected in your Phorum posting.  You can use this critical information later in your reflections.  

This should be a lively and fascinating time for you as you refine your ideas and projects to determine how best to effect some educational change in your district.  Larry, Mike and I all have observed dramatic changes in you as an educated community over the course of your studies, and now it's time to put that learning to good use in your schools.

Your guides on the side,

The Amigos