holmes action research proposal - edd581

Action ResearchProposal

Action Research Proposal 1

Nicole L. HolmesEDD/581

March 3, 2014Scott Benson

CREATING EFFECTIVE USHER COMMUNICATION

Action Research Proposal 2

Problem Statement

The problem is the members of the Ephesus

Usher Board (EUB) are unable to effectively

communicate across a large room without

leaving their post. Upon narrowing of the

problem a intervention will be implemented.

Action Research Proposal3

Problem Description

1. The EUB has established hand signals to

communicate between members while they

are on their post. It appears that members

are not fully aware of these signals. This is

normally evident in the fact that they come

off of their post to communicate information

that could have been signaled.


Problem Description continued

2. This is a problem because when the

member removes himself or herself from

the post it can cause disruption in the

service or even present security issues.

3. Leadership has realized the problem but

often has to spend time working on other

items that need to be addressed during

monthly meetings.


Purpose of the Project

The purpose of this project is to equip the EUB

members with the tools necessary to

communicate in any situation (prayer, concert

or dismissal) and not have to leave their post.


Writer’s Role

The writer is a member of EUB and has

encountered problems communication with other

members.

The topic was chosen because the writer desires to

help make the process of ushering easier for

everyone.

The writer believes once an intervention is

implemented the activity of ushering will be more

effective for the church. In addition there will be

less frustration among the ushers.


Problem Documentation

Researcher Notes:

The researcher has noted on at least five times in the past six months ushers leaving their post to communicate information that could have been communicated manually.•Subject C left post passed two ushers to get fans.

•Subject S & C let people enter without first locating seats during a service that is in session.

•Subject V using communication system indicated she needed to be “relieved of post” but she needed programs for the choir loft.

•Team Lead J indicated to Subject K & R that it was time to leave their post. Only Subject R realized that it was time to move, though both appeared to be looking at the Team Lead.


Problem Documentation

Researchers Notes - continued

February 1, 2014: D. Jones, Regional Usher Federation President, during a surprise inspection, observed two instances where “hand signals” were not used to communicate necessary information.

October 2013 signal review, only a few members participated.


Problem Documentation continued


Usher Hand Signal Survey Complete this section by checking the box closest to your response:

Strongly Agree

Agree Neither

Agree or Disagree

Disagree Strongly Disagree

1. I know what to do if I am unable to get the Lead Usher’s attention. □ □ □ □ □

2. I feel all the members of my team have a good understanding of the hand signal protocol.

□ □ □ □ □

3. I can always communicate with my team members without leaving my post. □ □ □ □ □

4. I have received enough training to effectively communicate with my team members.

□ □ □ □ □

5. I understand all the hand signals used to communicate when I am on my post. □ □ □ □ □

6. I think the members of the Usher Board could benefit from additional training in using hand signals to communicate.

□ □ □ □ □



1. Have you ever had an experience while ushering that required additional assistance from the Lead Usher?

Yes No

2. This signal means:

Need help Need one seat Need information Need bulletin

3. Which signal would you use to let the Lead Usher know you needed to leave your post?

4. List two actions you would like to be able to communicate without leaving your post.


• The membership of EUB consist of approximately 30 members. The hope of the researcher is to get 95% participation from the membership.

• The participants will be broken up into two groups.– The first group will receive training via the

traditional way face to face. The member in this group will be from weeks one and three.

– The second group will receive training via online training. The member of this group will come for weeks two and four.



• The division of the groups by weeks makes it easier to evaluate the communication of the group as a whole instead of breaking them up and evaluating each individual.

• This division will also provide feedback from members with different terms of service.

• The EUB is part of a larger regional group and final results will be sent to the organization for further review.


Literature Review


Authors of the study

Title of the

study

Purpose of the study

Pertinent findings that support your

project

Frank Caccamise‘Robert Ayers Karen Finch Marilyn Mitchel

Signs and Manual Communication Forms

Examine the use of signs and manual communication in a hearing classroom.

•Consistency

•Need to stay current

•Importance of training

Nancy ScheetzPhillip Gunter

Online Versus Traditional Classroom Delivery of a Course in Manual Communication

Determine the effectiveness of Online education to assist with teacher shortage in manual communication area

•Each delivery method is almost comparable. One small difference that is probably sited to the actually time spent in class training.

Literature Review



Title of the study


Pertinent findings that support your project

Gerald Buisson Using Online Glossing Lessons for Accelerated Instruction in ASL for Preservice Deaf Education Majors

Increase student ASL knowledge outside the classroom with glossing, or translation activities online

•Pre-test administered

•Improvement seen

•Online good for theory and practice, missing face to face usage.

William Vicars ASL online: The design and implementation of a web-based American sign language course

Determine the best way to design an online course in ASL

•Need for two way communication between learner and instructor

•Success based on motivation to learn

•Importance of determining usable website

•Current technology is needed for such a program. Need to make sure it is being used.

Literature Review



Title of the study



Phillip Hubbard

Making a case for learner training in technology enhanced language learning environments

How to bring the different levels of computer literacy in online learning to a point of where all can benefit from the course.

•Most important part of technology training is what the learner does with the given technology.

•Learners will gravitate to areas where they determine they are most successful

Trudde HeiftAnn Rimrott

Task-Related Variation in Computer-Assisted Language Learning

Will the level of knowledge change with the addition of form-focus or meaning-focus activities

•Immediate feedback important

•Given an opportunity learner may avoid activities they find difficult. In open-ended activities this may be seen.

•Task selected whether open or closed activates should be structured so that the intended activity is taught and tested.

Literature Review



Title of the study



Shenggao Wang Camilla Vazquez

Web 2.0 and Second Language Learning: What does the research tell us?

Benefits and Limitation of using Web 2.0 for second language learning

•Benefits

•Comfortable learning environment

•Increased collaboration

•Increased use of target language

•Adult learners seem more open to pedagogy learning style

•Disadvantage

•Open environment for students who may wish for more private submission of assignments.

Simona GabureauIrina Vasilescu

Learning task and feedback in computer-assisted educational situations. New Challenges for teachers as 21st century professionals

Determine factors needed in CALL task assignment

•Important features in task selection

•Language learning potential

•Meaning focus

•Learner fit

•Authenticity

•Positive impact

•Practicality

Action Goal

The goal of this intervention is to increase the

effective use of signaling among EUB

members in their endeavor to communicate

across a large area. The intervention will be

online course in the use and purpose of

signaling. The instruction will include text,

visuals and videos (Vicars, 2003) to

demonstrate proper use of the system.


Selected Solutions


• EUB members will participate in a two week online class to help them learn to utilize the signaling system.• Day 1-3 the class will cover signals used by the

weekly team lead to communicate.• Days 4-7 will be signals each individual usher will

use to communicate with the team usher.• Days 8-10 will be signals each individual usher will

use to communicate with each other• Days 11-12 will be review• Day 14 will be an exam and course exit survey. Exact videos, graphics and assessment have not

been included. They will be based on information in the preliminary survey.

Selected Solutions


• An online library will be developed that will contain videos and graphical representations of the signaling process (Vicars, 2003). Included in the library will also be the EUB Handbook.

• A quick reference guide will be made available at the end of the course.

• To encourage participation a $20 Resturant.com gift certificate will be given for successful completion of the course.

• Additional time may be required for the course if additional classes are offered.

Selected Solutions

• Successful completion is a • 80% correct use of signal,• 80% recognition of signal

• The use of a two-way video conferencing tool is being considered to evaluate individual demonstration of the signaling process. Successful completion of this stage would be 80%.


Calendar Plan

Week 1: Initial Reflection of situation.

Week 2: Develop/Design EUB survey. Prepare for paper and web distribution (Survey Monkey)

Week 3: Distribute survey to all EUB members

Week 4: Collect survey information and conduct research on additional concerns of research group

Week 5: Begin design of weekly assignments in Edmodo. Be sure to incorporate video, picture and text assignments (Hubbard, 2013). Continue research.


Calendar Plan

Week 6: Conclude design of assignments and course website

Week 7: Distribute information to register for course. Deadline Week 9

Week 8: Send reminders to the members who have not registered for course

Week 9-10: Conduct online class on signaling. If all members are not able to fit in one class a second one may need to be available for the reminder. This may move some timelines out.


Calendar Plan

Week 11 - 14: Observe participants while on duty after class, also paper survey days activity.

Week 15: Analyze data

Week 16-19 : Observe and survey members after a time serving

Week 20: Analyze data

Week 21: Prepare presentation


Expected Outcomes

In determining success of this intervention the

member of the EUB will see increased

effective communication among members.

With effective use of the signaling system the

members stationed on the floor will become

almost invisible to the congregation, due to

the reduction in movement.


Measurement of Outcomes

• In addition to researcher observation each team will be asked to complete a short survey at the end of an event.

• The information will be compiled. To be effective the researcher will look for a 30% decrease in movement to communicate information


Measurement of Outcomes

Sample Post Training Survey Questions


1.Were you able to communicate/signal today so that you did not need to leave your post for more than 1 minute?

Yes No

2.Did a member leave their post to communicate with you? If so, how many times.

Yes No

If so, how many times.

3.Did you have to leave your post to communicate with another member serving on the floor? If so, how many times.

Yes No

If so, how many times.

4.Any time during your service today did you have problems communicating/signaling with your team leader? Please explain on the back of this card.

Yes No

Analysis of Results

• Narrative observational data will be coded. Some suggested codes are: – left post, – used signal, and – frustrated communicating.

• In survey each question will have a point value. An optimal total value would be 4.

• In coding positive values will have lower numbers (1) and negative value will have higher number (2).


Analysis of Results

• Information will be compiled by event (service, funeral, and concert). Service or weekly stations will be compiled together as well. Then an overall analysis will be done. This will assist in learning if there are differences in events as well as weekly teams.

• Effectiveness of the plan will be in the lower of the numbers on the observational and survey data.


Analysis of Results

• Finding presented to EUB executive member– head usher, – team leads, and – elder board representative.

• Results will be presented in a quarterly meeting. Request would be made at that time to also share information with the all the members of the usher board as a whole. This will help them bring closure and promote unity in continued use of the system(Hendricks, 2009).


References

Hendricks, C. (2009). Improving schools through action research: A comprehensive guide for educators (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Retrieved from University of Phoenix EDD/581 —Action Research and Evaluation course website.

Hubbard, P. (2013). Making a case for learner training in technology enhanced language learning environments. CALICO Journal, 30(2), 163-n/a. doi:10.11139/cj.30.2.163-178

Vicars, W. (2003). ASL online: The design and implementation of a web-based American sign language course. (Order No. 3111612, Lamar University - Beaumont). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 63-63 p. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/305284652?accountid=35812. (305284652)


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