Well I'll be darned. I had thought I had this action research business all sewn up. Head wrapped firmly around it? Check. Idea to take me through the internship? Check. Complete understanding of the vastness of action research? Not so much.
I mean, I had thoughts about action research projects. I have read a lot of your action research ideas. I'd seen the ones in the first chapter of the book. But my goodness. When I sat down and looked at the nine passions with the goal of devising an action research project for each one, I honestly figured I'd just steal examples from the book and explain why they were so great. I never imagined that there would be something (or many things) for each one of the nine passions on my own campus in my own life that really NEEDS to be studied.
I don't know whether I'm expressing this very completely. I AM FLABBERGASTED. I could spend the next two or three years conducting action researches on my campus, not complete some of them in that time, and almost certainly run into myriad others along the way. As I write this, I feel like it must sound like I'm blowing smoke, but understand this: I can be a really arrogant guy (at least, in my own head). And I was already to the point of arrogance about this, as I figured having a topic rife with data and necessary to the campus was all I needed to worry about. As I read your topics, I thought things like, well that's a fine idea...for him. Oh, that's a really great project...for her. I had blinders on and, in the context of my own campus, could only see the project that I had assumed I'd do all along.
I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO THINK OF EIGHT MORE TOTALLY DIFFERENT ACTION RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT REALLY NEED TO GET DONE. Man. It's like a whole other world has opened up to me tonight, and that world makes me feel small and that the task ahead of us all is more gargantuan than I've ever imagined. And I'd imagined that was pretty freakin' gargantuan.
Well, at least we'll have each other. And for now, I'll focus on one action research project. But God help the poor sucker on my campus that utters the words, "What could I do for an action research project?" I'll send him or her running for the hills crying for Mommy. Which is where I'm going now.
Mommy!
If anyone can figure it out, Farley it will be you. You are the man with all of this technology stuff. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand how you feel! This action research stuff is like a domino effect. As soon as I thought of a concern on my campus it made me think of why that was happening and it let to another concern! We will all get through this!
ReplyDeleteWell said! I tend to be that one on campus with all the ideas,really bothers others, well here was my chance, and BANG couldn't decide on one. I have to keep reminding myself baby steps I can't change everything at once.
ReplyDeleteFarley that is awesome.....ok the way you explained things was awesome. I agree that this is a huge undertaking!!! Man, I go from one thing, then think of another, then another. I hope I can figure this stuff out by the end of the class, which is only 2 weeks away. No, not gonna happen, but we are all in this together. Wow, so much information!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very entertaining to read and I have a feeling to be around. With that said I have had that same overload as to just how many problems could be addressed in an action research project. But I have also started to have the negative reaction from the ranks for my wanting to change things. We will see were this road leads us.....
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