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Full-Text Articles in Education
Literacy Instruction And Student Writing In Middle School Social Studies, Nicole Hedman
Literacy Instruction And Student Writing In Middle School Social Studies, Nicole Hedman
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to determine whether using daily literacy strategies focusing on writing would make an impact on the scores of a high-level question (HLQ) among middle school social studies students. The research took place over seven weeks in a public suburban midwestern middle school. The population of students in the study included 104 sixth-grade students. The intervention included using various literacy strategies focusing on writing and incorporating reading, speaking, and listening. Data was collected from writing samples, HLQ scores, observations, and a student survey. Some positive effects of the study were an increase in the …
Examining The Impact Of Student-Centered Teaching Practices On Ownership And Belonging In A Middle School Orchestra Classroom, Claire Dill
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of student-centered practices on the ownership and belonging of seventh-grade orchestra students. The student-centered practices, based in the theory of social constructivism, consisted of a project in which students worked in small groups to teach a vocabulary term and skill to the class, as well as the routines of class discussions, classroom jobs, and a seat-rotation system. The implementation of the study was documented in a daily teacher journal. Data on students’ ownership of the musical process and sense of belonging in the orchestra was collected through a bi-weekly student …
The Impact Of Discourse On Math Learning In Upper Elementary, Dawn Anderson
The Impact Of Discourse On Math Learning In Upper Elementary, Dawn Anderson
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Upper-elementary mathematics becomes increasingly complex, and the gap between fluency and ineptitude grows. Considering the importance of math competency, the educator must act to narrow this achievement gap. This six-week action research study examined the effect of the implementation of teaching and encouraging student application of differentiated discourse strategies on mathematical achievement and empowerment on twenty-two nine-to-twelve-year old suburban students. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis yielded three key themes: nominal growth in student achievement, a marked increase in mathematical modeling, and a considerable shift in perception of discourse responsibility, impacting student mindset, behavior, and participation. Findings suggest that student engagement …
The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn
The Effects Of Cognitively Engaging Exercise On Children’S Executive Functioning, Emily E. Osborn
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study examines the effect of combining vigorous exercise with cognitively engaging games on children’s executive functioning skills such as self-direction, engagement, and focus. Over four weeks, the research took place in a Montessori early childhood classroom with 17 children ages 2.6 to 6. The four-week study included a one-week baseline week to collect initial data on the capabilities of self-direction and comprehensive data on energy levels and engagement. The children participated in a 14-minute movement activity with 7 minutes of vigorous exercise and 7 minutes of cognitive-engaging games. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative data tools to examine …
Gamification Learning For Ipad Engagement In Middle School, Chong Xiong
Gamification Learning For Ipad Engagement In Middle School, Chong Xiong
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research was to determine if gamification learning would increase iPad engagement. This research was done in a 7th grade urban middle school over nine weeks in the fall of the school year. A regular 7th grade class of 18 students and an accelerated 7th grade class of 34 students participated in the study. Informed data was collected from pre and post survey, checklists, observations, student journals and gamification platform on Classcraft. The literature review examined the how motivated and self-regulated learner skills contribute to their academic success and how these skills can be used when …
The Effects Of Incorporating Coding On Student Experience And Understanding Of Middle School Mathematical Concepts, Ashley Tewes
The Effects Of Incorporating Coding On Student Experience And Understanding Of Middle School Mathematical Concepts, Ashley Tewes
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this action research project was to study the effects of incorporating coding into a middle school math classroom on student experience with and understanding of mathematical concepts. The project used five data sources to examine these effects. Two of the data sources were used to examine the effects on student experience; 1) a survey to gauge student perception and 2) a chart to measure student engagement by tracking their time on task. Three of the data sources were used to examine the effects on student understanding; 1) a pre-assessment given before the coding project, 2) a post-assessment …
The Impacts Of Teaching Specific Engineering Group Processes To Cooperative Learning Groups In A Middle School Stem Classroom, Mollly Gareis
The Impacts Of Teaching Specific Engineering Group Processes To Cooperative Learning Groups In A Middle School Stem Classroom, Mollly Gareis
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research investigation studied the impacts that teaching specific group processes to cooperative learning groups had on students’ success in a middle school STEM classroom. The participants of this study were fifth grade students enrolled in a STEM course. During the five weeks of this study, students were explicitly taught how to create accountability and interdependence in their cooperative learning groups by learning about specific group roles and communication strategies. Data was collected through weekly self-reflections, videos, teacher observations, daily exit slips, and pre- and post-assessments. The results of this study indicated that students were more engaged in their …
The Effects Of Coding Integration On Student Engagement And Academic Achievement In A 5th Grade Mathematics Class, Sinead Meehan
The Effects Of Coding Integration On Student Engagement And Academic Achievement In A 5th Grade Mathematics Class, Sinead Meehan
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project investigated the effect coding integration had on student engagement and academic achievement in a fifth-grade mathematics class. Research was conducted on a group of 20 fifth grade students performing on grade level, in a suburban school outside of Philadelphia. Four data collection tools were used: A student survey, teacher observations and reflections, pre and post-test data, and a tally chart. Data was categorized into two domains: student engagement and academic achievement. Coding follow-up works using Scratch, Wonder Workshop, and Turtle Academy were provided to students over the course of two mathematical topics created by Pearson Education, …
The Effects Of Collaborative Grouping On Student Engagement In Middle School Students, Jeanine M. Backer, Jaymeson L. Miller, Shannon M. Timmer
The Effects Of Collaborative Grouping On Student Engagement In Middle School Students, Jeanine M. Backer, Jaymeson L. Miller, Shannon M. Timmer
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project investigated the impact of collaborative grouping on students’ engagement in three middle level STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) classrooms. Research was conducted in two rural and one urban setting. Four data collection tools were used: A semantic rating scale (student questionnaire), teacher observations, student interviews, and teacher journaling. Data was categorized into three domains of student engagement: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. Teamwork strategies were overtly taught to students before the study with additional instruction during the observation process as needed. While quantitative evidence implied a slight decrease in preference for collaborative learning by student’s self-report, …
The Effects Of Digital Portfolios And Flipgrid On Student Engagement And Communication In A Connected Learning Secondary Visual Arts Classroom, Megan Johnson, Maia Skarphol
The Effects Of Digital Portfolios And Flipgrid On Student Engagement And Communication In A Connected Learning Secondary Visual Arts Classroom, Megan Johnson, Maia Skarphol
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
Visual art education is advancing through digital media ( text, audio, video, and graphics) and technologies (digital devices, software, and learning platforms that offer options to each student) in ways that impact student engagement and communication. Through the practice of connected learning in a secondary art classroom environment, individual students can bring their strengths and ideas into a community of peers to create a better understanding of complex concepts that individuals could not have reached alone (Cantrill et al., 2014). The purpose of this research study was to understand what effects digital portfolios and Flipgrid have on student engagement and …
Effects Of The Remind App On Parent-Teacher Communication At A Mixed-Income Middle School, Kelsey Nisbet, Allison Opp
Effects Of The Remind App On Parent-Teacher Communication At A Mixed-Income Middle School, Kelsey Nisbet, Allison Opp
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of conducting this research project was to gain insight on using text messaging as an effective communication tool with parents/guardians through the use of the Remind Application. The intervention took place over a four week period at a public school in North Dakota. Two hundred and seventy seventh grade students and one hundred and sixty-three parents/guardians participated in this study. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected via a pre and post parent/guardian survey, student presurvey, weekly Remind Application messages, and a teacher reflection journal. Analysis of the data revealed easy and convenient messages resulted in a higher response …
The Effect Of Implementing Hess' Cognitive Rigor Matrix Within Fifth-Grade Independent Learning-Contracts Upon Student Engagement And Time-On-Task, Andrea Carlson
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not implementing Hess' Cognitive Rigor Matrix within fifth-grade independent learning contracts would increase student time on task. There were 25 fifth-grade student participants in the study and the study took place over four-weeks. Data was collected through a pre/post-assessment on specific topic, student engagement observation, student/teacher conferences, and the Student Data Gathering Tool. While initial research suggests that the implementation of Hess’ Cognitive Rigor Matrix with independent-learning contracts increases student engagement, further research should be done to determine whether or not engagement would be sustained throughout a longer period of …
The Effects Of Montessori’S “Walking On The Line” Activity On Student Engagement And Concentration, Emily S. Leutgeb
The Effects Of Montessori’S “Walking On The Line” Activity On Student Engagement And Concentration, Emily S. Leutgeb
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This paper investigates whether and to what degree Montessori’s “Walking on the Line” activity affected student engagement and concentration. This study took place in a private Montessori classroom serving twenty students, aged 33 months through five years. Data was collected using four tools on line usage, engagement, and concentration: a tally of how many times students walked the line, a tally measuring how engaged students appeared while working in the classroom, how long students concentrated following a lesson, and a professional journal. All but the line usage tool gathered baseline data five days before the intervention. Results were inconclusive. While …
Effects Of Grading On Student Learning And Alternative Assessment Strategies, Roxanna M. Krawczyk
Effects Of Grading On Student Learning And Alternative Assessment Strategies, Roxanna M. Krawczyk
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
The purpose of this study was to investigate what effect an alternative assessment strategy would have on students’ engagement, motivation, and overall learning in an urban, private Montessori middle school program located in the Midwest. Two teachers and 13 students participated in two phases (one social studies and one science unit) over the course of six weeks. Teacher-assigned grades on class and homework were removed and replaced with student-determined final grades based on self-assessment using collaboratively created rubrics and individual portfolios. Students kept daily learning logs and completed a pre- and post-unit survey designed to measure their level of engagement, …
Choice And Growth Mindset, Neysa B. Matt
Choice And Growth Mindset, Neysa B. Matt
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This study sought to determine if lessons in growth mindset would improve engagement and thus positively affect elementary students in finishing work, and if enhanced engagement would enrich work quality. Prior to implementation, a tally of incomplete work cycles and an assessment of students’ overall persistence were gathered. Student interviews regarding their views on unfinished work were conducted. Five students were randomly selected to provide work samples which were assessed by the students and their teacher. Twenty-six, six to nine years-olds in a private, lower elementary Montessori classroom received four lessons to promote a growth mindset and were assessed for …
Parent Involvement In Kindergarten, Martine A. Reinhardt
Parent Involvement In Kindergarten, Martine A. Reinhardt
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research investigated the effects of parent engagement strategies on the level of parent involvement in kindergarten. Parents may have barriers preventing them from becoming more involved in their child’s schooling. Many parents have younger children they take care of, work full time jobs, and are unaware of how they can get more involved at home. In this study, various strategies were implemented to help increase levels of engagement. Parents were asked to track the amount of time they spent working with their child at home on school related activities. Activities and ideas were sent home to generate discussions …
Engaging All Students: Strategies To Promote Meaningful Learning And Increase Academic Performance, Heidi Haagenson, Casandra Schlangen
Engaging All Students: Strategies To Promote Meaningful Learning And Increase Academic Performance, Heidi Haagenson, Casandra Schlangen
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research project studied the impact specific engagement strategies had on student academic performance. We conducted this project in two ninthgrade English classes in a suburban high school and two eighthgrade Spanish classes in a suburban middle school both of which were located in a midwestern metropolitan area. During the study, students participated in a variety of engagement strategies aimed at promoting academic excellence: 1) challenge and competition, 2) cooperation and connection, 3) curiosity and controversy, and 4) choice and creativity. The data provided by course grades, student feedback, student observations, and teacher reflections showed students were more engaged …
Digital Video As A Summative Assessment Tool, Meghann Peterson
Digital Video As A Summative Assessment Tool, Meghann Peterson
Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers
This action research study examined the effects of video production on student engagement and learning in a tenth grade English classroom. The study participants totaled 76 students in a large suburban Midwest high school. Over a period of five weeks, students worked in groups to read, analyze and make a video about a book of their choosing. The standards based project assessed their understanding of theme, characterization, and the cultural significance of their choice novel. Students worked collaboratively to answer questions about these aspects of the book and then complete storyboards and scripts for their videos. Throughout the study, the …