a.
Title – Provide a clear, brief title that
describes your Action Research Project. This title should describe what you are
trying to find out, not what you think you will find. (5 points)
The title of my action research project is : What is the impact of integrated technology in the classroom on student engagement and student learning for third grade students.
The title of my action research project is : What is the impact of integrated technology in the classroom on student engagement and student learning for third grade students.
b.
Needs Assessment – Indicate how the need for an
improvement was determined. Note the data collected to support the need.
Present the data in a disaggregated manner in terms of ethnicity, and gender.
(5 points)
For the past several years my campus has attained exemplary status. After speaking to my campus supervisor it was determined that there is always room for improvement on our campus. We specifically wanted to target a group on our campus that we felt had the most to gain from our research. After much deliberation we agreed that we would focus on our third graders. We felt that this is a very important year in our student’s lives. This is the year where they transition from the lower level non state testing grade to what we feel is a higher level state testing grade. This is the first year of STAAR for these students and we felt that we needed to give them the very best opportunity to succeed. The best way to do this is to keep them engaged in the curriculum. Technology is the obvious vehicle to accomplish this. Most kids today are what I call digital learners. They have grown up using a variety of technology, from smart phones to digital tablets such as ipads. The goal of the research is to determine if using and integrating these digital tools into the curriculum will have a positive effect on their success. Although our kids achieved exemplary status we still wanted to see if technology could help to produce better results. The majority of our students scores on the 2010-2011 TAKS test were above 90%. Our goal is to climb that number to 94%-95%.
For the past several years my campus has attained exemplary status. After speaking to my campus supervisor it was determined that there is always room for improvement on our campus. We specifically wanted to target a group on our campus that we felt had the most to gain from our research. After much deliberation we agreed that we would focus on our third graders. We felt that this is a very important year in our student’s lives. This is the year where they transition from the lower level non state testing grade to what we feel is a higher level state testing grade. This is the first year of STAAR for these students and we felt that we needed to give them the very best opportunity to succeed. The best way to do this is to keep them engaged in the curriculum. Technology is the obvious vehicle to accomplish this. Most kids today are what I call digital learners. They have grown up using a variety of technology, from smart phones to digital tablets such as ipads. The goal of the research is to determine if using and integrating these digital tools into the curriculum will have a positive effect on their success. Although our kids achieved exemplary status we still wanted to see if technology could help to produce better results. The majority of our students scores on the 2010-2011 TAKS test were above 90%. Our goal is to climb that number to 94%-95%.
c.
Objectives and Vision of the action
research project. (ELCC 1.1) – After completing the needs assessment, develop a vision
relating to the improvement needed and develop an action research project that
includes measureable objectives in terms of expected results. (5 points)
The vision for this research and the third graders is to improve engagement in the curriculum and therefore improve their test scores on all exams not only the state mandated pieces. The objective is to improve test scores throughout the entire year. The students wll have weekly exams throughout all content areas which will be used to determine the success of the technology integration. This will culminate in the review of the state exam scores the following year to measure the effectiveness of the integration
The vision for this research and the third graders is to improve engagement in the curriculum and therefore improve their test scores on all exams not only the state mandated pieces. The objective is to improve test scores throughout the entire year. The students wll have weekly exams throughout all content areas which will be used to determine the success of the technology integration. This will culminate in the review of the state exam scores the following year to measure the effectiveness of the integration
d.
Review of the Literature and Action
Research Strategy –
Apply Best Practice to Student Learning (LCC 2.3) – Review recent literature
related to the topic of your research project. The research should support why
your action research plan would be described as a best practice or possible
solution to improving achievement or culture. The review of the literature
should be written in APA style with a reference page listing the sources.
Explain the decision making process for implementing the action research project.
Who was involved? What was considered? What decisions were made? (5 points)
The literature is ongoing. At the moment, I have been unable to secure any reliable source for current literature. This is compounded by the fact that I changed position and schools at the end of last year. I am in the process of discussing my plan with my current supervisor (at my old school) in order to make the necessary adjustment to complete the project.
The literature is ongoing. At the moment, I have been unable to secure any reliable source for current literature. This is compounded by the fact that I changed position and schools at the end of last year. I am in the process of discussing my plan with my current supervisor (at my old school) in order to make the necessary adjustment to complete the project.
e.
Articulate the Vision (ELCC 1.2) – Describe how you communicated the
vision of the action research project to staff, parents, students, and
community members. (5 points)
I communicatred the vision of the action research project to all stakeholders through informal discussions, interviews and meetings prior to the campus PTA meetings. Students and parents are especially aware of our plans to improve the quality of learning
I communicatred the vision of the action research project to all stakeholders through informal discussions, interviews and meetings prior to the campus PTA meetings. Students and parents are especially aware of our plans to improve the quality of learning
f.
Manage the organization (ELCC 3.1) –
Describe the strategy
used for organizing the implementation of the project noting responsibilities
given to self and others and how you managed any monies, time, materials, and
people. Give examples of how you put a priority on student learning and safety.
(5 points)
Since I am the only person involved in the initial implementation of this project, my progress has been rather slow. I have enlisted the help of the third grade team on my previous campus to assist me in the assessments for data collection. Integration of technology into the curriculum is, actually was, my responsibility. It isnev
Since I am the only person involved in the initial implementation of this project, my progress has been rather slow. I have enlisted the help of the third grade team on my previous campus to assist me in the assessments for data collection. Integration of technology into the curriculum is, actually was, my responsibility. It is
g.
Manage Operations (ELCC 3.2) – Describe the strategy used to lead
the operations of the project and set priorities. Include a brief description
of how you used the needs assessment, data, group process skills, built
consensus, communicated, and resolved conflict. (5 points)
I am leading the project by managing the logistical activities week to week. My priorities have actually changed several times due to the change in job and campus. However, I continue to put student success above all else and have changed the quality and quantity of assessments. I have asked teacher to place a greater emphasis on higher order thinking assessment questions. So that there is now a balance between these and standard multiple choice questions. Thakfully, I have not encountered any conflict and do not anticipate to do so. All stakeholders are onboard and aware of the project and seem very supportive of my plans. I shared with them the needs assessment information from the beginning and this seemed to build the consensus that I needed to begin.
I am leading the project by managing the logistical activities week to week. My priorities have actually changed several times due to the change in job and campus. However, I continue to put student success above all else and have changed the quality and quantity of assessments. I have asked teacher to place a greater emphasis on higher order thinking assessment questions. So that there is now a balance between these and standard multiple choice questions. Thakfully, I have not encountered any conflict and do not anticipate to do so. All stakeholders are onboard and aware of the project and seem very supportive of my plans. I shared with them the needs assessment information from the beginning and this seemed to build the consensus that I needed to begin.
Respond to Community
Interest and Needs (ELCC 4.2) – Describe how the action research project will serve the needs of
students with special and exceptional needs and students with diverse
backgrounds (cultural, ethnic, economic, or special interest groups) Elaborate
on methods used to address any specific needs of the school or community. (5
points)
Technology can be a great equalizer for students of diverse learning capabilities due to cultural, economic or special needs. Because it can be both visual and kinesthetic at once, it can be used at the same time to meet the needs of many different learners. Each student can be assigned the same material in a different way or on a different level to allow them to grasp the concept and master the skill necessary to move forward with learning.
Technology can be a great equalizer for students of diverse learning capabilities due to cultural, economic or special needs. Because it can be both visual and kinesthetic at once, it can be used at the same time to meet the needs of many different learners. Each student can be assigned the same material in a different way or on a different level to allow them to grasp the concept and master the skill necessary to move forward with learning.
