I have learned a lot about action research throughout the duration my second course for my Master's Degree in Educational Administration through Lamar University.  Creating an action research plan and blogging was part of the requirements for the course...but I must say, I am coming to the end of the course and am truly glad I have learned all that I have about action research.  My project focuses on researching how students, using personal communication devices in the classroom (specifically in English classes), will become more engaged in the readings/lessons thus improving their grades. I am currently using an electronic device (my computer) to earn a Master's degree and even my 3 year old son received a gift of a toddler-sized plastic "laptop" to learn the alphabet, play learning games and learn new songs! Technology is improving, changing and more available than ever!  I believe we should embrace these changes in our classrooms and guide students in ways they can use their own technology to gain academic success.  My hope is that my action research project will provide results that will improve our school.  To my pleasant surprise, today on FoxNews, I heard about a high school in Florida that purchased a Kindle for every student.  The students are using the Kindle in the place of their textbooks! The Kindles are easy to carry around (much lighter weight than all those books) and FoxNews reported that the school has saved money by not purchasing new, expensive books - the Kindle is a lot cheaper per student.  Wow!!!  It is exciting to hear another school is embracing this idea.  Although this is not the FoxNews article, here is a link to the same story:

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_north_pinellas/clearwater/clearwater-high-school-to-hand-out-kindle-e-book-readers-rather-than-textbooks-to-students

My action research project is focusing on students using their communication device to download novels in the English classrooms.  Once this project is complete, I will additionally research the use of these devices in other classes, for calendar/planner purposes, and maybe even for textbook usage.  Thank you all for reading my blog and following my project.  I look forward to sharing exciting results!