Action Research Works...I know!

The term Action Research is one that was quite unfamiliar to me until I began studying the term in my on-line class conducted through Lamar University. Basically, action research is one's abilty to look at a particular job/skill/problem, observe what is happening, then collect and analyze data that would support an action to result in a desired change. After chewing on this definition for a while and contemplating it's steps, I came to realize that  those who are really good coaches do action research every week (and I am sure ther are probably many who disagreed, but who don't understand the in's and out's of the coaching profession; especially with the stereotypical beliefs about some coaches).

Coaches are constantly gathering and analyzing data and applying it to bring about change that will benefit their teams. Each week during the season, practice and game films are studied in great depth and detail, and they are graded, viewed with the players and other coaches then used to teach the players how to effectively execute the skills that will lead them to be successful. This information helps coaches decide what is done in practice, how their teams will practice, what players get to play each week, etc. In addition, coaches view game film on their opponents to view the opponent's strengths and weaknesses and strategize methods to use their own strengths against the opponent's weaknesses. At the end of the week, on game day, the score decides whether their plan and strategies were successful ot not, then the process begins all over again.

Coaches who don't use this method to teach/prepare their teams are not nearly as successful as those who do. This is a proven method with time-tested results and I personally know it works. Therefore, I know it will also work in the field of education. The principles work and make sense, and educationl leaders and administrators would be wise to exercise these concepts in their schools to better their districts and solve the problems that might prevent schools from being successful.