Research Week 3
This week guided my on how to develop an action research
plan and the steps to follow in my action research This week also guided me on how to share my
action research plan, progress and recommendations. Below are examples on how the action research
will be conducted.
Action Research Project
Process Overview
- Setting the Foundation-Creating a climate to explore action research issues: Through collaboration and during meetings with the 7th grade math teachers and administration. I will also keep a journal when working and observing in the classes. I will explore if single gender classes are a problem or issue. The action plan chosen is: What are the effects of gender-based strategies and same-sex grouping in a junior high 7th grade math classes.
- Analyzing Data-By researching the effects of gender-based strategies and same-sex grouping, will give be a better insight on my action research. Also, data about students’ academic success. I will also collect data from student and teacher surveys. Other data that is will be collected are class rosters, teacher’s lesson plans. I will also review data from DMAC on the 7th grade math classes. Interviews will be conducted with administration and 7th grade math teachers and students.
- Developing Deeper understanding-Once the initial data gathering is completed I will analyze the data and gather addition information on understanding the pros and cons. I will further my research by using other resource information. I will conduct more interviews with teachers and students.
- Engage In Self-Reflection-Once I have collected the data and analyzed and discussed it with concerned stakeholders, I will spend time self-reflecting. Some reflective questions that I will consider are: Did the surveys provide the information that I was looking for in order to compile data. Did the journal provide information on questions such as do the teachers teach the same material? Will single gender classes prevent students from growing socially? What kind of training will the teachers of single gender classes receive? What are the discipline policies in the single gender classes?
- Exploring Programmatic Patterns-Questions that may come from self-reflections will require answers from the principal. I will meet with him before continuing on with my action research plan.
- Determining Direction- The action plan is almost ready to be implemented. If the action plan is ready I should be able to answer the follow questions:
1.
Am I clear on what I am attempting to solve
(my research questions)?
2.
Have
adequately addressed the skills and resources questions?
3.
Have
I established a collaborative approach to the issue?
4.
Are
my timelines realistic?
5.
Do
I have a reasonable plan to monitor the project?
6.
Do
I have a reasonable pan for determining the level of success-how do I evaluate
if the plan is effective?
7. How will I revise and improve the plan based on monitoring and evaluation?
7. Taking Action for School Improvement-Implement the plan
with math teachers and
administration. Meet each
Thursday briefly to reflect on pros and cons and make
changes as necessary.
changes as necessary.
8. Sustain Improvement-After reflecting on
the pros and cons analyzing the cons and discussing the necessary changes. Discuss if the pros have room for
improvement. If gender in the class
room is showing academic success then the plan can be implemented through the
campus.This will require planning and
training for administration and teachers.
Background
information on action research project: The
school that I work for has struggled with math scores not meeting state
standards. The campus received a new
principal and he decided to make a change to the 7th grade math
department. His second year at the
campus he placed students into single gender classes. The boy’s classes are taught by a male
teacher and the girl’s classes are taught by a female teacher. I am the inclusion teacher in the single
gender classes. This topic is of very
high interest to me because I would like to know what impact does the change
have on the students. The main questions that are being ask are how effective
is gender-based strategies and same-sex grouping in the 7th grade
math classes. Are students achieving academic success?
Design
of the action research project (must include procedures, data collection and
data analysis): Since the 7th grade classes are
already into same-sex grouping my research will begin with collecting data on
the 7th grade math students.
Data that will be used during this action research will include: Pervious TAKS/STAAR, district issued
benchmark scores, classroom observations, and teacher/ student surveys. 7th grade teachers lesson plans,
discussion with teachers and administration on the pros and cons of same-sex
grouping in the 7th grade math classes. I will analyze all data,
document observations and process surveys and report concerns and success in a
timely manner.
Describes what is being learned from the action research project: Through this action research, I hope to learn what, if, any, impact same-sex grouping in the 7th grade math classes have on academic achievement. My focus is on the 7th grade math classes, because they are already gender-based. I hope to gain knowledge on the effectiveness of gender in the classroom. I hope to gain insight on how the teachers teaching strategies affect the way the students learn.
Includes concluding thoughts and recommendations: Due to me having access into all the math classes at my campus, it will be interesting to see the change made throughout the math department. What I have experienced so far is impressive. If the action research shows positive results I would recommend the change and that teachers are provided with more training. The training should consist of: In what ways do the boys and girls classes differ? What strategies are more effective with each grouping?
Action Research
Action research is a method
that leader can use to learn about his or her own practice. I think this method
is better than your traditional educational research because leaders can now
take ownership of their own buildings. What I have learned about action
research is educators can study their students' learning and related to their
own teaching. Action research is not to bring a negative effect on the school
environment, but to bring positive outcomes. Action research is used to improve
teaching and learning. I have learned that action research is intended to bring
about change of some kind. The change is focused on improving the environment
of the school. The change does not have to start with student achievement
sometimes it has to start with the environment of the school. Action research
can be used on any situation just as long as the focus is on improving the
situation. I plan to use action research in conducting a research on the change
our principal made to the 7thgrade math classes. He divided the classes up by
gender, all boys and all girls. The boy’s classes are taught
by a male teacher and the girl's classes are taught by a female teacher. I can
use action research to analyze if academic performance was achieved. Educational Leaders can Blog
Educational leaders can use blogs by collaborating with students providing them with instructional tips, and students can practice and benefit from peer review. Blogs can be used for discussions. Students can discuss topics outside the classroom. Teachers can collaborate with other teachers.
Week Two
Week two provided me with information on the purpose and the
significance of my research project. The
purpose is what I will be looking at and the significance is how I believe my
project will benefit others. I have
learned in this week that the purpose of my research project is to investigate the
effects of gender-based strategies and same sex grouping in a junior high 7th
grade math classes. When I am preparing for my research paper I
have to keep in mind that my paper should relate to the second quality characteristic
which consist of the purpose is focused and reasonable or feasible. I Also have to remember that the purpose has to
be ethical.
Update on Research Paper
The progresses I have made on my Action Research
paper have been interesting. I observed that the girls liked the hands on
projects and group work. Behavior
problems were things like tarty to class, not turning in homework, chewing gum,
maybe one or two attitude problems, but never anything major. When I observed the boys they were little
more talkative. Group work and projects
were a little louder than the girls, but that is to be expected. I think I would have got more out of this
observation if the teachers would have switched classes. I would have liked to see if the students
acted differently. At the next PLC I am
going to talk with the 7th grade math teachers and see if they will
switch. I would even settle for a class
period.
At the end of the school last year I took a survey
to see if the students that were in gender classes like having the separation
from each other. The majority of the girls like having a math class without the
boys. There were some girls who
indicated that either way was fine with them. The boys’ survey indicated that
they liked the separation from the girls.
I was surprised by this response because I thought the boys would like
to be around the girls. The boys’
teacher was a little less strict and I wonder if the boys were more focused on
how much freedom they had instead of realizing that there were no girls in the
classroom. Classes I have observed that have both boys
and girls have more discipline problems then the gender classes. I have received data from that state
assessment. I will be reporting that on
my next entry.
