What I have learned this week about action research

I have learned so much this week about action research and I am 100% certain that not only is it a very valid process but that I will begin engaging in active inquiry to grow myself so that I can help improve my school.  Active inquiry takes place when an individual takes both an active and reflective stance to examine their own actions and behaviors in order to improve upon or add to these to positively affect their organization (in my setting it is a high school but these concepts, I believe, can be carried over to any individual in any organization).  As opposed to traditional methods of research where we would read what someone else had written that told us what to do or sit in a lecture and listen to an outsider give us their research and their findings in action research the power of study and making changes belongs to the individuals that make up the institute.  Continual active inquiry is the method by which one becomes a life-long learner.  In this manner one could ask “what can I do to better help my business do ________?” and then goes about researching best practices, adjusts their actions accordingly, shares their results with others and reflects on the process before continuing.  This new knowledge has improved my outlook on how one can actively participate in the research process that affects our professional lives.  I will use this as the process I undertake anytime I have a “pondering” or question of importance.  I believe this serves as a catalyst for me in that I am better equipped to know how to grow both myself and my school.