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Full-Text Articles in Education

Teaching Fact Fluency Through Focused Strategies, Kelly Jahn, Joan Selle Dec 2013

Teaching Fact Fluency Through Focused Strategies, Kelly Jahn, Joan Selle

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research study was conducted in two third grade classrooms in North Dakota. There were 23 students in one class and 20 in the other. All but one student was Caucasian, and all were middle to upper class. This study was conducted to focus on the rate of improvement of fact fluency through focused strategies. Pre-assessment data were collected in the form of surveys and baseline assessments given to students. Students were surveyed on feelings toward mathematics, addition, and fact fluency. Students were also given a baseline assessment to demonstrate prior abilities before the intervention. After pre-assessment data were …


The Effects Of Leveled Book Room Resources On The Attainment Of Reading Standards, Deanna Krueger Dec 2013

The Effects Of Leveled Book Room Resources On The Attainment Of Reading Standards, Deanna Krueger

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The objective of the research was to establish if a well-stocked, leveled book room and the resources contained within it could affect the acquisition of rigorous Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The research was conducted in a second grade classroom in a public elementary school in the upper Midwest. The five data sources utilized in the study included a reading leveling system, a student survey, district-developed baseline assessments, teacher-developed formative assessments, and teacher observations. The data revealed a respectable increase in students that became proficient in the four targeted standards, but a significant surge in students that achieved measurable growth …


Implementing A Successful Collaborative Learning Environment, Andrea P. Beasley Dec 2013

Implementing A Successful Collaborative Learning Environment, Andrea P. Beasley

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research report summarizes a study of 65 diverse student learners in a 10th grade AP US History class. This research investigates the implementation of a collaborative learning environment to elicit positive effects on student attitudes toward learning and their achievement. To gain pre-intervention data, students were surveyed on their attitudes and took multiple-choice assessments. During the intervention period, students completed surveys regarding the effectiveness of the collaborative learning implementation and completed multiple-choice assessments. After the interventions, students were surveyed again on their attitudes toward learning. The results demonstrated insignificant effects on student attitudes but improvements in student …


Positive Behavior Intervention And Support On The Playground, Teri M. Miller Dec 2013

Positive Behavior Intervention And Support On The Playground, Teri M. Miller

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to implement the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model on the playground environment and determine the effects on student behavior observed during recess. The study was conducted at an elementary school with first grade teachers and students. Data collection methods included surveys, student goal sheets, and a web-based application, School-Wide Information System (SWIS), used to document referrals on playground behavior. Results from the eight-week study yielded positive results, showing a dramatic decrease of problematic behaviors on the playground. Recommendations based on the results of the investigation include creating Active Recess (AR) …


The Effects Of Using Ipads To Increase Basic Math Fact Automaticity, Nicholas P. Sunderman, Kyle S. Shaughnessy Dec 2013

The Effects Of Using Ipads To Increase Basic Math Fact Automaticity, Nicholas P. Sunderman, Kyle S. Shaughnessy

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Our investigation was on the effects of using iPads to increase basic fact automaticity. We wanted to explore what strategy worked best to increase fact fluency: flashcards and paper/pencil practice or iPad practice. The project took place in one fourth-grade classroom and one fifth-grade classroom. The fourth-grade classroom had twenty-one students. The fifth-grade classroom had twenty-two students. We collected data with pretest and posttest instruments. We also collected data through weekly observations. Students using the iPads were also monitored using the Moby Max fact fluency program. The results indicated that daily flashcard and paper/pencil practice provided a higher rate of …


Using Common Formative Assessments To Guide Fluency Instruction, Kelly Adrian, Abbigail Volek, Christa Ranweiler Dec 2013

Using Common Formative Assessments To Guide Fluency Instruction, Kelly Adrian, Abbigail Volek, Christa Ranweiler

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

In the Spring of 2013, first-grade literacy data were reviewed and we concluded that changes needed to occur with teacher instructional methods to ensure growth in student reading fluency. We collaborated to find what effect common formative assessments would have on teachers’ abilities to help students meet reading fluency benchmarks. Data were collected on 52 first-grade students within three classroom settings. Throughout this process, teachers monitored student progress toward proficiency in reading fluency, in particular rate, through the use of common formative assessments, teacher observation notes and teacher collaboration. After the data collection period, results showed that the use of …


Improving Kindergarten Students’ Knowledge By Enhancing Engagement In Literacy Centers, Magdalene B. Pearson Dec 2013

Improving Kindergarten Students’ Knowledge By Enhancing Engagement In Literacy Centers, Magdalene B. Pearson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research was conducted in a kindergarten classroom with 18 participating students, in a Northern Midwest elementary school. Baseline data was collected by assessments in the areas of letter identification, onset sounds, rhyming, and concepts of print. Literacy centers were set up for students using differentiated activities in these areas. Conferencing with students and formative assessments were used for monitoring student progress and engagement in the literacy centers of Read to Self, Word Works, Writing Center and Listening Center. The students were assessed again at the end of the research period. The results of this study showed increased learning …


The Effects Of A Rubric Used As A Formative Peer/Self Evaluation Tool, Nicole E. Vaith Dec 2013

The Effects Of A Rubric Used As A Formative Peer/Self Evaluation Tool, Nicole E. Vaith

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research study was conducted in a public high school in an upper secondary classroom setting; three classes were included, with 91 students from a variety of backgrounds. This investigation was intended to examine how the rubric used as a formative peer-evaluation tool and self-evaluation tool affect student confidence in understanding assignment expectations and overall objective achievement. Baseline data was collected, regarding students’ initial understanding of the assignment expectations. Peer-evaluation and self-evaluation data was collected. After the peer and self-evaluation data was collected, students participated in a post-survey. Both data regarding understanding of assignment expectations, and overall objective achievement, …


Improving Assessment Scores Through Daily 5 Math, Brandy Geloff Dec 2013

Improving Assessment Scores Through Daily 5 Math, Brandy Geloff

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of the research was to determine how incorporating Daily 5 Math into daily instruction would improve standards based assessment scores. The research study took place in a first grade classroom located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The four data sources of data collection used in this research included district standard based assessments, a student survey, teacher observations, and common formative assessments. The data showed an overall increase in students’ assessment scores from trigger scores given at the beginning of the year to baseline scores, four weeks later. Students were very proud of their accomplishments over such a short period …


The Effect Of Title 1 First Grade Math Intervention, Amanda J. Jensen Dec 2013

The Effect Of Title 1 First Grade Math Intervention, Amanda J. Jensen

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study investigated the effectiveness of two Title 1 math groups in a Title 1 neighborhood school. Each Title 1 group was composed of four first graders who were flagged as needing number identification intervention support by using Aims web, an online assessment tool. The action research examined the growth of the students’ number identification 0-20 over a 3 week intervention period. Daily formative assessment was used to guide instruction, students were part of the goal setting and tracking process, and students were progress monitored weekly using Aims web. After the 3 week intervention, the number identification Aims …


Engagement Of Advanced Learners Through Differentiation Of Content, Kristi Meyer, Dayna Zins Dec 2013

Engagement Of Advanced Learners Through Differentiation Of Content, Kristi Meyer, Dayna Zins

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research study was conducted in third and seventh grade classrooms. The target group consisted of ten students of different genders and ethnic backgrounds. This study was focused on the engagement of advanced students through differentiating of content using various reading levels. For the purpose of this study, advanced students were students who were comfortable with classroom “norm” but needed to be challenged. Students were taught two lessons, one using the same level of text for each student and one using varied levels of text. Student engagement was observed by educators during the lessons. Groups were assessed using the …


The Effects Of Using Math Talks To Improve Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Julie Frank Dec 2013

The Effects Of Using Math Talks To Improve Instruction In A Kindergarten Classroom, Julie Frank

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research study was conducted in four kindergarten classrooms, involving seventy-seven students and four classroom teachers. This investigation was intended to examine the effects of using math talks to improve the quality of math instruction. In order to implement math talks the teachers participated in fifteen hours of math talks coursework. Teachers were surveyed to gather baseline data to rate current math instruction experience. Teachers also completed weekly reflection surveys and were asked to communicate thoughts in relation to math instruction. Ten random students were surveyed to determine response to math. Four math talks lessons were video recorded and …


Improving Homework Completion By Improving Class Website, Marcy Kickhafer Dec 2013

Improving Homework Completion By Improving Class Website, Marcy Kickhafer

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The investigation was intended to find the effect of improving a class website would have on improving homework completion in algebra 2 classes. The research was conducted in two algebra 2 classes at the secondary level. There were sixty-nine students ranging from grades ten through twelve involved in the study. The majority were from white middle and upper class families. Thirty-eight of the participants were students who I had in a previous mathematics course. The data collection instruments used were student surveys, teacher grade books, homework checklists, and a website tracking service. The data showed a positive effect on student …


Using The Guided Math Framework To Provide Differentiated Instruction, Sarah C. Donovan Dec 2013

Using The Guided Math Framework To Provide Differentiated Instruction, Sarah C. Donovan

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The action research conducted in this north suburban public elementary school included twenty-one mathematics student participants in my homeroom, and a cohort of fourteen participants who have been my students as third and fourth graders. I examined teaching strategies that are instrumental in providing quality education for all learners, specifically differentiated instruction through Guided Math. This framework of instruction, designed by Laney Sammons, takes into consideration daily data collection about each student’s ability, learning style and learner profile. These considerations allow teachers to fine tune instruction for struggling students and higher achieving students. In this study, I compared diagnostic assessment …


Closing The Reading Fluency Gap In Six Minutes, Amy Hanzal Dec 2013

Closing The Reading Fluency Gap In Six Minutes, Amy Hanzal

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to determine the effects of the implementation of the intervention, The Six Minute Solution, on student oral reading fluency scores. The research study took place in two small reading groups at Rita Murphy Elementary school in Bismarck, ND. One group consisted of three third grade students and one fourth grade students. The second group was made up of three fourth grade students. A total of four data sources were used in the collection of data. These data sources included a district required assessment; AIMSweb benchmark and progress monitoring, The Six Minute Solution …


Effects Of In-Class Formative Assessments And Student Contracts On Homework Completion And Summative Assessments, Brian Robertson Dec 2013

Effects Of In-Class Formative Assessments And Student Contracts On Homework Completion And Summative Assessments, Brian Robertson

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study was designed to see the effects of formal formative in-class assessments and student contracts on homework completion and summative assessments. The study took place in a small rural high school in Northeast Minnesota and the participants consisted of three sections of intermediate algebra classes of students from eighth grade through twelfth grade. All three sections used the formative assessments, while one of the sections used student contracts in addition. Data collection included three different surveys taken at different times throughout the study, teacher observations of the study, and results of homework completion and summative assessments. The results of …


The Effects Of The Flipped Classroom Model In A Physical Science Classroom, Patricia Price May 2013

The Effects Of The Flipped Classroom Model In A Physical Science Classroom, Patricia Price

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This study was designed to examine the effects of the Flipped Classroom model; this inquisition was conducted in ninth grade physical science classes at a Minnesota public high school. All participants had school-issued iPads. Data sources included student interest and self-assessment surveys, formative and summative assessment data, teacher observations of student participation and a parent survey. Results showed that formative scores were the same during the first unit and one percent higher for the traditional classroom during the second unit. Scores for the third and fourth units showed opposite results. Summative assessment scores during the first two units were three …


The Effects Of Supplementary Reading Activities For Spanish Heritage Learners, Gayle Brownlow May 2013

The Effects Of Supplementary Reading Activities For Spanish Heritage Learners, Gayle Brownlow

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The intent of the research was to determine if the use of supplementary reading activities involving cultural topics would increase reading proficiency of secondary Spanish heritage learners. Sixteen heritage learners participated in the study: nine girls and seven boys. At the time of the study, two students were in Spanish II, seven students were in Spanish III, six students were in Spanish IV and one student was in Spanish V. The four data sources for this research included the following: a student self-assessment, formative and summative assessments, a survey, and a teacher journal. These data revealed that the reading comprehension …