I have to say, this week has been my most stressful thus far, but finally I am done!! My higher-than-normal stress came as a result of changing my action research (not by choice) in addition to a highly stressful week at my campuses (but that's an entry in and of itself!!).
Here is my action research plan. Please feel free to give me feedback. For those of you not familiar with the IB, you can find out more by clicking on the link to their website… International Baccalaureate Organization.
| Action Research Plan for: How understanding the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) can result in the implementation of a student-centered, inquiry-based curriculum | ||||
| Goal: This action research plan will deepen teacher understanding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) philosophy so that program implementation can occur. The outcomes will be: 1.) an increase in student-centered learning and inquiry-based teaching practices as evidenced by student work; and 2.) the ability for teachers to articulate their understanding of the PYP. | ||||
| Action Steps(s): | Person(s) Responsible: | Timeline: Start/End | Needed Resources | Evaluation |
| Conduct a staff development session to review and edit the campus mission statement to align with IB mission statement. | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher | September 20, 2012 | Current campus mission statement IB mission statement | Agenda Campus sign-in sheet Revised school mission statement Reflections |
| Create a PYP Leadership Team and Review pertinent documents and the progress of the IB implementation. | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher | September 2012- May 2013 | Calendar for time allocated for meetings IB Pedagogical Leadership documents | Agendas Campus sign-in sheet Reflections |
| Conduct staff development sessions to review and discuss the IB/PYP Standards & Practices document in order to deepen staff understanding of the PYP. | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher, IB leadership team | September 2012 - May 2013 | Calendar for time allocated for professional learning sessions IB/PYP Standards and Practices document | Agendas Campus sign-in sheets Chart paper with an ongoing list of standards and practices being implemented on campus Reflections |
| Conduct IB/PYP staff development sessions. Topics to include elements of the PYP, student-centered inquiry-based learning, backward design and student portfolios. | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher, IB leadership team | Oct.31, 2012, Nov. 29, 2012 Dec. 20, 2012 Jan. 17, 2013 Feb. 21, 2013 | Calendar for time allocated for professional learning, inquiry-based learning videos, book study (The Continuum of Literacy Learning) | Agendas Campus sign-in sheet Reflections |
| Schedule half day planning sessions to write curriculum units (unit planners) that include elements of the PYP | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher | Sept.12-14, 2012 Nov. 7-9, 2012 Dec. 12-14, 2012 Feb. 6-8, 2013 | Curriculum documents iPads for accessing online resources Unit planner templates Laptop Projector | Agendas Campus sign-in sheet Completed unit planners Reflections |
| Write a school Language and Assessment policy that includes staff input. | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher, IB leadership team | November 2012-February 2013 | Calendar allocated for meeting times to draft policies Assessment and Language policy examples | Completed school Assessment and Language policies |
| Conduct weekly campus and classroom walk-throughs to look for evidence of PYP elements, student-centered work and inquiry-based learning. | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher, IB leadership team | October 2012 – March 2013 | Walk-through observation forms Time allocated for providing feedback to staff | Completed walk-through observation forms Teacher reflection forms IB display pictures, and/or videos of student engagement |
| Visit from an IB consultant to provide feedback on the campus progress for the implementation of the IB programme | Principal, Assistant principal, IB lead teacher, IB leadership team, District IB director | January 31 – February 1, 2013 | Agenda for IB visit School board members District central office personnel Parents Community members Evidence to support ongoing implementation of the IB programme | Agenda for IB visit IB consultant feedback report |
What about student input? Would it be prudent to include a survey in order to find out how to students feel about this change in curriculum? And I don't know how you could be teaching in the United States and not have test scores be an important component of how you measure student performance. Would it be a good idea to include an analysis of those scores before and after implementation of this program? If nothing else a rise in performance on such assessments would help to corroborate the value of the program. The survey could do the same if students tell you anything along the lines of looking more forward to coming to class, enjoying their learning experience more, or even just that's cool isn't as bad as it use to be. Any of those things would have to have a positive affect on overall performance.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input. I like the idea of including students in the plan.
ReplyDeleteAnd test scores are a major focus of the schools I work at, but I did not include them in my action research because the action research had to be what was included in the internship plan. All of my competencies in the internship revolved around professional learning in the area of student-centered, inquiry-based learning in the classroom, so it made sense to do something that was aligned to my job description.
I am responsible for the implementation of the IB program at two elementary campuses, so I only spend two days at each campus and every Friday, I meet at the district level with the other IB lead teachers. It's a huge task to work with two different campus cultures at two different levels of IB implementation.
I have no doubt that student performance will improve IF the instruction in the classroom changes. My focus first is to work on the philosophy so that the change in teaching practices happens in the classrooms. Later, perhaps, in an extended version of this action research, the student performance component can be added.
I think this is a great topic. True understanding of the IB program is not well known even in schools that have magnet IB programs within them. I am not that familiar with the PYP program however. I don't know if this will be helpful but this weeks assignment discussed using the Delphi method to gather information and reach a consensus among teachers. Have you thought of creating a survey asking teachers what "student-centered learning and inquiry-based teaching practices" looks like? And maybe follow that up with a discussion of what they have done in their classrooms regarding this? It might be that there are different interpretations as to what this looks like and teachers may need a deeper understanding. Through an anonymous discussion maybe teachers who are unclear can get a better understanding without having to ask, as that may be hard for some. I don't know if that is even on the right track of what you are looking at finding/concluding so don't know if that will help but just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aimee...I actually did create a 4 statement survey using the multiple choice response system - disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree and agree.
DeleteThe statements I included are:
1. I understand what inquiry-based learning is;
2. I have attended staff development on inquiry-based learning;
3. Inquiry-based learning can be used across all content areas; and
4. I use inquiry-based learning in my classroom.
The survey will be anonymous. What do you think? I would appreciate some feedback on the survey. I couldn't think of any other statements to add and I wanted something they could respond to quickly.
I think that looks good. I like how you included question #2 as it is not as subjective. I just thought of how there were times I thought I was doing something correctly and then after talking to a co-worker about what they were doing found that I actually was not. Also I was thinking a lot of what you have involves time out of teachers/your day. This may lead to some resistance. I am currently part of a new technology (Ipad/Apple) implementation program at our district. Our tech department set up a "edmodo" for the teachers involved to share on. Especially when designing curriculum. This way when time is an issue we can still share resources/ideas without actually meeting. Kinda like a facebook for teachers. Although all people involved would have to be on board and contribute (which I know can also be a struggle).
DeleteOoops, I meant that you might be able to use "Especially when designing curriculum"...its late and my brain is fried.
DeleteWow, what an endeavor you chose to pursue!!! I like the action research plan!!! I am with Farley though in that I think gaining input from students through surveys, interviews, (well if this is elementary, then surveys may be tough), and meeting with them and getting their opinions on the matter would really be a good thing to do. I believe that with enough professional development, and learning how the program works, teachers will really want this to work and improve student performance. Many teachers don't want to "change" because they are afraid of new things. I believe you are on the right track with this plan. I would love to hear of your results when completed!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I appreciate the feedback!!
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