Education Commons^™

Gamification Of The Classroom: Seeking To Improve Student Learning And Engagement, Kyle Iverson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find how gamification of the classroom would affect middle school students in a northern suburban school district in Minnesota. This work was designed to find if student proficiency would increase because of gamification and if students would become engaged with the classroom material due to its implementation. Using three classes taught in this new setting and two classes taught in the standard of past years, test scores were measured and studied to find significant changes along with a survey to the gamified classes about their experience regarding engagement. The study found that …

Growth Mindset In Physical Education, Kyle Herber

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Growth mindset continues to be a popular topic of conversation in the field of education. The purpose of this study was to observe and analyze the impact growth mindset intervention can have on student’s performance as well as their self-efficacy in physical education. This study took place in an elementary school in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, using four different 4^th grade classes. For this study, the author collected data in the form of pre- and post- Likert scale surveys as well as pre- and post- presidential fitness tests. Classes were randomly selected to receive growth mindset intervention or …

The Impact Of Physical Activity Breaks In The Classroom, Ryan Iverson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research study was to determine the relationship between physical activity breaks and their impact on student achievement and behavior. The participants included 30, eleven and twelve-year-old students, who attended a public school in the north suburbs of MN. Students participated in 5-10-minute physical active breaks in health class during a 6-week trial period. Data was collected through the use of summative assessments, student surveys, and an observational behavior chart. The study found that implementing physical activity breaks in the classroom can have a positive impact on students’ academic achievement and behavior. The researcher recommends further …

Trauma-Informed Schools: Impacts For Students And Applications For Educators, Megan Meister

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Students exposed to trauma face a range of negative outcomes from poor adult physical and mental health, behavioral and emotional problems, and difficulties performing in the classroom. Trauma-informed schools attempt to break that cycle by identifying students early, providing interventions to promote healing, and preventing future trauma from happening. In order to meet this goal, schools must make systematic changes and collaborate with parents and mental health agencies. Teachers make changes to their classroom practices and environment to ensure that students feel safe and connected. In this literature review, the negative impacts of trauma and history of trauma research are …

How Mindsets Impact Learning, Kari Mueller

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Students who believe that their abilities and intelligence can grow and change are able to shift their mindset (fixed vs growth). This literature review evaluates how mindsets impact both teaching and student learning. A teacher’s role in providing feedback and implementing strategies to help build a growth mindset classroom culture plays a significant part to this review. Many studies have taken place over the years that bring about some opposing viewpoints, but after significant review, most of the data from studies has indicated positive profound impacts on how mindsets impact learning. Future research suggests to continue studies on how teachers …

Impacts Of Project-Based Learning On Student Engagement, Dale De Jong

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this paper is to share the results from an action research project that explored the impacts of Project-Based Learning (PBL) on in-class student engagement. This was done in a 10th grade world studies classroom that compared PBL to traditional instruction. The main patterns that emerged from this project showed that percentage of student engagement and types of higher order thinking increased when components of PBL were implemented in the classroom. This can be attributed to PBL’s learner-centered approach, where the students’ perspectives are continually taken into account and students are at the center of their learning process. …

Difference Between Behavior And Engagement By Comparing Teaching Styles, Kimberly A. Rozeboom

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine the difference in behavior and engagement by comparing two teaching styles. Participants were 10 five-year-olds in a public, inclusive, half-day transitional kindergarten setting. Data was collected through observation during 30-minute lessons for a five-week period. Specific behaviors were tallied, as well as teacher observation of student engagement and recording of standards completed during each lesson. Analysis of the data collected suggests that play-based teaching has positive impacts on decreasing behaviors and increasing student engagement.