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Full-Text Articles in Education
Arts Integration In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom, Cameron Willis
Arts Integration In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom, Cameron Willis
Honors Projects
In this project, we explore the question "How can arts integration techniques be used in the middle school mathematics classroom to heighten student engagement and interest while also developing deeper conceptual understanding?" Through completing a lesson study over incorporating structured improvisation into a simple probability unit, seventh grade students were able to share their thoughts and feelings about using theatre to teach mathematics.
An Evaluation Using Universal Design For Learning, Lilah Nye
An Evaluation Using Universal Design For Learning, Lilah Nye
Honors Projects
This research was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of an Educational framework known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in a set of lesson plans published by a nationally recognized organization. The intention of this focus was to push major professional organizations in mathematics education to produce inclusive resources for all students. UDL is an opportunity to increase accessibility of curriculum for students by reducing barriers to learning that play a role in educational inequity, and generally the goal of UDL is that lessons are made accessible preemptively to benefit all students rather than for individual students as the …
Connecting Music To The Mathematics Classroom, Nicholas Parr
Connecting Music To The Mathematics Classroom, Nicholas Parr
Honors Projects
This project investigates the importance of integrating music into mathematics classrooms K-12. By outlining the numerous connections between mathematics and music, and applying those to pedagogy, the project provides interdisciplinary overlaps that may be unknown to current teachers. Evidence supports the conclusion that mathematical abilities improve after musical infusion, yet the presence of this intervention is lacking in grades 7-12. Therefore, both mathematical and musical intelligence suffer as a result of the separation of electives and core classes. This project contains eight original mathematics content standards, which would coincide with the Ohio Learning Standards for Mathematics, as well as a …
Reflecting On Movement In The Math Classroom, Zoey Berger
Reflecting On Movement In The Math Classroom, Zoey Berger
Honors Projects
The purpose of this paper is to determine how reflection on movement effects the learning and connections made by students in the math classroom. Kinesthetic Movement is a learning style that is oftentimes forgotten about and left out of classroom instruction. It can help increase motivation, build deeper connections, and create a more positive disposition towards math for students. Research was conducted in four, eighth grade, pre-algebra classes, with some classes being given the opportunity to reflect more than others. Test scores, journal responses, and interest surveys done by the students are used to show inconclusive results that reflection on …
Investigating Correlations Among A Growth-Mindset Intervention, Students’ Math Anxiety, And Students’ Math Self-Efficacy, Anna Grace Chamberlain
Investigating Correlations Among A Growth-Mindset Intervention, Students’ Math Anxiety, And Students’ Math Self-Efficacy, Anna Grace Chamberlain
Honors Projects
This paper details the methodology, data, and conclusions of a research study investigating the correlations among a growth-mindset intervention, math anxiety, and math self-efficacy. The study found that teaching students about mindset through an intervention approach did not make a significant difference in students’ math anxiety or math self-efficacy. Teacher-centered factors are discussed as having a greater impact on students’ math anxiety and math self-efficacy.
The Importance Of Implementing Literacy Strategies In A Mathematics Classroom, Lauren Tecca, Joanna Weaver, John Chen
The Importance Of Implementing Literacy Strategies In A Mathematics Classroom, Lauren Tecca, Joanna Weaver, John Chen
Honors Projects
The purpose of this ACTION research study is to explore the influence of literacy on mathematical proficiency levels. The correlation will use the data to formulate some strategies for the classroom in order to increase confidence in both subject areas.
Open-Ended Problems: How Much Time Is Enough Time?, Kaitlyn Solymosi
Open-Ended Problems: How Much Time Is Enough Time?, Kaitlyn Solymosi
Honors Projects
The purpose of this action research is to observe and analyze students’ responses to open-ended questions, examine student engagement in assessment, and to gauge a reasonable timetable of how long students are predicted to work through them. A great amount of research has been conducted regarding the benefits and impact of open-ended problems in K-12 classrooms, but very little research has focused on the proper amount of time that should be allotted for them. This action research aims to establish a general rule for determining the proper amount of time allotted for open-ended problems. Implications for mathematics teachers will be …
Action Research: Hand Signals' Impact On Student Mindset And Performance, Katelyn Niehaus
Action Research: Hand Signals' Impact On Student Mindset And Performance, Katelyn Niehaus
Honors Projects
Hand signal use as a form of alternate mode of communication in the classroom offers potential for developing a growth mindset in students and, by this, improving student performance. This paper explores the work already done on various response systems. Research shows response systems typically accomplish their intended goal, and may help students to develop a growth mindset. Additionally, development of a growth mindset is associated with improvement in student performance. The action research discussed in this paper shows there may be an increase in growth mindset as a result of hand signal use in the classroom.
Metacognition In A Mathematics Classroom, Paige Murta
Metacognition In A Mathematics Classroom, Paige Murta
Honors Projects
The purpose of this action research study is to explore the connections between students’ ability to engage in metacognitive methods, their understanding of mathematical content, and their mathematical performance. By having a group of students engage in a lesson about metacognition and a mathematical modeling problem then comparing their test scores to that of a control group a correlation can be found to analyze the effects of metacognition methods in a mathematics classroom.
The Fear Of Reptiles And How To Change It, Maxwell Lyman
The Fear Of Reptiles And How To Change It, Maxwell Lyman
Honors Projects
Reptile fear is prominent across many cultures. Anti-reptilian attitudes can lead to anti-conservation attitudes towards reptiles. Person-animal interaction has been shown to decrease fear desensitization and increase positive attitudes towards "unpopular" animals. My project demonstrates the effectiveness of live animal presentation in dispelling negative attitudes of reptiles. However, due to the sample size of the project, further research is highly suggested.
Engaging Students In Science Through Effective Teaching, Alexis Nader
Engaging Students In Science Through Effective Teaching, Alexis Nader
Honors Projects
What does effective teaching look like? How can research be implimented into the classroom?
Correcting Student Motivation In A Mathematics Classroom, Joshua Mcpheron
Correcting Student Motivation In A Mathematics Classroom, Joshua Mcpheron
Honors Projects
The intentions of this action research study are to analyze the motivational components of students in a classroom and test which forms of encouragement will create the most motivation. Utilizing the Motivational Systems Theory of Martin E. Ford, students will be measured quantitatively and qualitatively for their classroom motivation and which component of the theory causes them to lack it. The results will reveal how each type of student responds to different teaching styles, and how they will be motivated as a result.
Formative Assessment As A Method To Improve Student Performance In The Sciences, Natalie Miller
Formative Assessment As A Method To Improve Student Performance In The Sciences, Natalie Miller
Honors Projects
This study focused on utilizing formative assessment to shape student understanding and teaching practices in a junior high science classroom. Students were given a pre-test as a method of formative assessment and their results on the pre-assessment before instruction were compared to their performance on a modified post-test. Students received direct instruction, completed an independent project, and responded to daily “bellringer” questions as a form of additional formative assessment before taking the post-test. Students showed marked improvement on the post-test as average scores increased from a 35.7 percent to a 94.4 percent.
Code4her Spring 2018, Rebeccah Knoop
Code4her Spring 2018, Rebeccah Knoop
Honors Projects
CODE4her is a mentorship program with a goal of sparking interest in computer science organized by the BGSU Women in Computing (BGWIC) student organization. Participation is open to middle school girls (grades 5-8), and participants are paired with BGWIC members who serve as mentors.
Action Research: Using Engaging Vocabulary Instruction In A Science Classroom, Madison Pittman
Action Research: Using Engaging Vocabulary Instruction In A Science Classroom, Madison Pittman
Honors Projects
The focus of this study is to look at vocabulary instruction and how certain techniques affect student learning. This paper evaluates the work that has already been completed within this field of study of vocabulary instruction, focusing on its impact on students and educators. This paper also provides the phases of an action research project focusing on students using interactive activities for implementing vocabulary instruction into a fourth grade math and science classroom. The data collected from this study determined vocabulary instruction improved the students’ final test scores at the end of the unit in my classroom.
Inquiry-Based Learning: Effects On Student Engagement, Kimberly Wheatley
Inquiry-Based Learning: Effects On Student Engagement, Kimberly Wheatley
Honors Projects
Inquiry-based learning is an approach to science instruction that has been around for over 40 years and has many positive aspects, including: critical thinking, student achievement, positive attitudes towards science, and student engagement. Inquiry-based learning has four different levels and is an instructional method that provides a problem or question which allows students to complete an investigation. This action research project will explore how inquiry-based learning affects student engagement and how student’s feel about inquiry. Students were taught with two days of traditional instruction, two days inquiry-based instruction, and then given a pre-survey and post-survey, and observed using an engagement …
Metacognition And The Utility Of Pathway Maps In Introductory Chemistry, Kayla Schwartz
Metacognition And The Utility Of Pathway Maps In Introductory Chemistry, Kayla Schwartz
Honors Projects
Students historically struggle in introductory chemistry courses. This experiment was designed to test a hypothesized method to increase student success which utilized metacognition, reflection, and the creation of pathway maps. An introductory chemistry course at BGSU was given two sets of pre-assignments, pathway map assignments, and post-assignments which was related to the topics they were learning in class. The pre-assignments and post-assignments were used to determine if there was a change in understanding before and after the pathway map assignment was completed and the pathway map assignment was based on a question that was given in the pre-assignment. The students …
Using Educative Assessment In A Science Classroom, Jordan Truitt
Using Educative Assessment In A Science Classroom, Jordan Truitt
Honors Projects
The focus of this study is to consider educative assessment in the science classroom and its effectiveness in assessing student-centered learning. By using educative assessment to measure learning, student work can be evaluated by rubric in addition to a traditional summative assessment. In comparing the student learning measured using the rubric results and traditional results, there was no statistical difference between the two assessments. However, the educative assessment provided greater insight into higher levels of learning. Conversational data also showed evidence of skills-based learning in the field of science. Further research into the applications for ‘at-risk’ students is required.
Family-Friendly Science: Increasing Family Engagement In Stem Education, Alison Bixler
Family-Friendly Science: Increasing Family Engagement In Stem Education, Alison Bixler
Honors Projects
Family engagement is vital to a child’s success in his or her academic career. Current research has focused more specifically on the relationship between parent engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and a student’s success in his or her STEM education. This paper is a summary of present research pertaining to this topic, as well as a summary of the results of a field-based study the author and faculty mentors completed to learn more about methods for engaging families in STEM education, particularly in the area of science. Present research indicates that a successful method for engaging …
Differentiation In The Classroom Using Chromebooks And Google Applications, Allison Carney
Differentiation In The Classroom Using Chromebooks And Google Applications, Allison Carney
Honors Projects
The purpose of this research was to differentiate using Chromebook and Google technology to improve engagement and grades in the classroom. Chromebooks have been implemented into classrooms all over the country, but the use of Google applications in order to differentiate instruction and assessment is not as prominent in schools. I created four assignments on the Chromebooks that differentiated instruction and assessment based on interest and ability levels. I used a total of six applications and differentiated for forty-four students in a sixth grade math and science classroom. I found that differentiating using Chromebooks and Google applications boosted student engagement, …
Investigating The Proposed Affordances And Limitations Of The Substance Metaphor For Energy, Lisa Goodhew
Investigating The Proposed Affordances And Limitations Of The Substance Metaphor For Energy, Lisa Goodhew
Honors Projects
This study explores the instructional advantages and disadvantages of representing energy as a material substance; this is done in the context of a computer simulation that illustrates processes of energy transfer and transformation. These affordances and limitations have been proposed in science education literature as extensions of the substance metaphor itself, but there is little empirical evidence to support them. This study is intended to provide preliminary empirical evidence for these affordances and limitations. We examine data from eight interviews conducted with students from Seattle Pacific University’s introductory physics classes as they used the simulation. We explore the hypotheses that …
The Effectiveness Of The Flipped Classroom, Raymond Szparagowski
The Effectiveness Of The Flipped Classroom, Raymond Szparagowski
Honors Projects
This research study explores the “flipped” or “inverted” classroom and its effects on student learning. The flipped classroom is a form of education in which students learn new content during out-of-class-time instead of the traditional review exercises that are normally given, which opens up class time for activities, problem solving, and other forms of instruction. During this study, a flipped classroom was implemented in a high school mathematics course. Data was collected from student grades, a pre and post survey, a class interview/discussion, and my personal notes from teaching. My results indicate that some potential benefits of the flipped classroom …