Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 10 of 10

Full-Text Articles in Education

Self-Efficacy And Critical Race Theory: The Emotions And Identity Of A Montessori Teacher, Marisa Tuffiash May 2022

Self-Efficacy And Critical Race Theory: The Emotions And Identity Of A Montessori Teacher, Marisa Tuffiash

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated how anti-critical race theory (CRT) legislation in public education has impacted the perceived self-efficacy and emotions of one Montessori educator. This 4- week self-study consisted of daily assigned reading, weekly media, and a weekly conversation to aid in multicultural critical reflective practice (MCRP). Data was measured using a pre-and post- self assessment on Qualtrics, a daily mood app, and daily critical journal reflections. The pre-and post assessment demonstrated an increase in self-efficacy to speak with confidence about the origins of CRT in education research. Daily critical journal reflections displayed an increase in the ability to …


The Impact Of Discourse On Math Learning In Upper Elementary, Dawn Anderson May 2022

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 …


Impact Of Student-Driven Mathematical Assessment On Learning Behaviors In Sixth Grade Students, Cheri R. Gardner May 2022

Impact Of Student-Driven Mathematical Assessment On Learning Behaviors In Sixth Grade Students, Cheri R. Gardner

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This seven-week study explored the impact of student-self assessment on learning and engagement behaviors of 48 sixth graders during math classes in a public school setting. Data collection tools such as student surveys, pre-and post -self-assessments, observations, reflections, and teacher- student conferencing provided the information to inform the conclusions regarding self-efficacy. Observation confirmed that a student’s participation in using self-evaluation to contribute to their learning affected internal processes such as motivation and engagement. Assessment activities that provided evidence and feedback to inform goals specific to skill development and learner traits yielded significant results. Highly structured assessment tools and classroom routines …


Supporting Self-Efficacy Toward Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics Skills In Secondary Students, Amy Kienberger, Clara Raineri Jul 2021

Supporting Self-Efficacy Toward Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics Skills In Secondary Students, Amy Kienberger, Clara Raineri

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to investigate the effects of intentional teaching strategies of problem-solving skills on student’s self-efficacy toward Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subject areas. The research was set in two secondary classrooms while in a virtual environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants included 36 students who spanned between 6th and 11th grade. Over four weeks, students participated in virtual synchronous activities in different areas of STEM. Throughout the research, pre and post-questionnaires, exit surveys, field notes, and open-ended reflection questions were collected, as well as virtual attendance data. Though consistent survey …


The Impacts Of Peer To Peer Collaboration On Science Self-Efficacy Among 8th-Grade Students, Erin Wilmes (Kaus), Elizabeth Bohnert Jul 2021

The Impacts Of Peer To Peer Collaboration On Science Self-Efficacy Among 8th-Grade Students, Erin Wilmes (Kaus), Elizabeth Bohnert

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project focused on determining the effects peer-to-peer collaboration has on 8th-grade students in a middle school science classroom. The intervention took place over six weeks in two classrooms, whose learning models changed between hybrid and distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. For this study, researchers collected data through a pre and post-intervention science self-efficacy questionnaire and digital journal, and twice-weekly exit tickets. The results showed that the peer-to-peer model of collaboration implemented in this study increases student self-efficacy significantly, with girls having the most significant increase in self-efficacy. Researchers concluded that this model is …


Community And Collaboration: The Effects Of Participation In An Online Leadership Cohort On The Self-Efficacy Of School Leaders, Jennifer A. Harris May 2020

Community And Collaboration: The Effects Of Participation In An Online Leadership Cohort On The Self-Efficacy Of School Leaders, Jennifer A. Harris

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project was conducted to see if participation in an online leadership cohort would affect the self-efficacy of school leaders. Using an online platform, seven Montessori heads of schools from the United States gathered to discuss topics of greatest importance to them. The schools represented were public, private, non-profit, proprietary and charter. The heads of schools ranged in experience from 3 to 33 years. They met once a week, for four weeks, for an hour each session to discuss four topics most relevant to the group, as determined by their suggestions. Data was collected using pre and post …


Effects Of Mindfulness On Teacher Stress And Self-Efficacy, April Netz, Lauren Rom May 2020

Effects Of Mindfulness On Teacher Stress And Self-Efficacy, April Netz, Lauren Rom

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

Teachers experience high levels of stress due to the demands of their profession. The purpose of this study is to determine if mindfulness and meditation have an effect on stress levels and self-efficacy. The researcher-participants were two female teachers in public schools. Five days a week for four weeks, the participants practiced mindfulness activities from a curated list including Body Scan, Meditation, Breathing, Yoga, and Journaling.. The participants detailed their stress levels before and after the intervention each day and weekly through different means of data collection. The study used pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, daily journals, and weekly questionnaires to …


Self-Efficacy: A First-Generation American Educator Teaching In A Culturally Diverse Montessori Classroom, Esmeralda Cuevas May 2020

Self-Efficacy: A First-Generation American Educator Teaching In A Culturally Diverse Montessori Classroom, Esmeralda Cuevas

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research project investigated my teacher efficacy in a multicultural classroom with children ages 3 to 6. This was a self-study that I started during my first year of teaching in a private school in downtown Chicago. As a first generation American, I was the only participant. Throughout the four-week study, I responded to journal prompts where I reflected on daily readings of anti-bias literature and my past schooling experiences. I measured my teacher efficacy and confidence levels through weekly attitude scales and pre and post self-assessments. My emotions were tracked with tally sheets. The data showed an increase …


Building Self-Efficacy As A First Year Primary Montessori Teacher, Lucy Trower May 2019

Building Self-Efficacy As A First Year Primary Montessori Teacher, Lucy Trower

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to increase the self-efficacy of a first-year teacher, with a focus on increasing the subject’s comfort with the autonomy required of the position. The subject teaches in a Montessori classroom of preschool-aged children (designed for 3-6 year olds, serving 3 year olds) at a young school in an urban environment. This was done through interventions that focused on factors of vicarious experience and social persuasion, as informed by Albert Bandura’s research. Data was collected through surveys that measured self-efficacy, satisfaction with life and job satisfaction, and through daily physical, mental, and emotional scales. Written …


Improving Teacher-Efficacy, Gillian K. Jones May 2018

Improving Teacher-Efficacy, Gillian K. Jones

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

The study was designed to investigate the effects of daily readings on teacher-efficacy within a Montessori environment. This self-study used daily Montessori readings, recording of mastery experiences, scales of accomplishments, surveys of confidence and daily reflections as a way to increase teacher-efficacy over the course of five weeks. I conducted the research in two different Montessori schools. The study highlighted teacher-efficacy in working with children and in working to build a new school. Both schools were located in the Midwest. The first portion of the study was conducted in an established Montessori classroom with 28 children ranging from 2.5-6. The …