Proposition Four: Teachers Think Systematically about Their Practice and Learn from Experience!
Rationale: Proposition Four calls for teachers to grow and develop their teaching skills by putting to test new ideas and incorporating new methods into their teaching. An effective teacher is one that keeps up to date with learning theories and finds ways to incorporate new theories into their teaching. Educational theories and practice are constantly evolving; effective teachers will test these theories and practices in order to enrich the experience of the student.
The artifact for this section comes from EDU 690, "Action Research." The project examined the use of digital writing tools and attempted to determine if digital writing tools improved student writing in areas of spelling, grammar and clarity of writing. The project also examined self perspective of student writing and self efficacy of students. Research results were positive, left some questions that cold be researched in the future.
The artifact aligns to many of the major points found in Proposition Four. For example, the proposition calls for a teacher to be willing to research, try, and question new methods of teaching. As indicated in the written report, there was a fair amount of research into digital writing tools. Literature was located and analyzed as a way to help formulate a project in which digital writing tools would be used in class. The opportunity to engage in action research offered a wonderful opportunity to test whether or not digital writing tools had a positive effect on student writing. The research and implementation of digital tools is evidence of research and implementation of a new tool that can be used to increase student learning.
The artifact for this section comes from EDU 690, "Action Research." The project examined the use of digital writing tools and attempted to determine if digital writing tools improved student writing in areas of spelling, grammar and clarity of writing. The project also examined self perspective of student writing and self efficacy of students. Research results were positive, left some questions that cold be researched in the future.
The artifact aligns to many of the major points found in Proposition Four. For example, the proposition calls for a teacher to be willing to research, try, and question new methods of teaching. As indicated in the written report, there was a fair amount of research into digital writing tools. Literature was located and analyzed as a way to help formulate a project in which digital writing tools would be used in class. The opportunity to engage in action research offered a wonderful opportunity to test whether or not digital writing tools had a positive effect on student writing. The research and implementation of digital tools is evidence of research and implementation of a new tool that can be used to increase student learning.
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Reflection
Action Research was a rewarding experience that allowed me to put to the test the questions I had about how effective digital writings tools can be when used to help improve student writing. The results of the projected indicated that students improved their writing in the areas of spelling and clarity of writing, but failed to show a great reduction in the area of the number of grammatical errors made by students. Students also claimed that the use of digital writing tools made them more aware of who they were writing for, which led them to take more pride in their work. Overall, the research showed that the use of digital writing tools had a positive impact on student writing.
Since the use of digital tools was quite positive, there has been more frequent use of digital tools into my teaching practice. Students are asking when we will use the wiki again and if we can use other digital tools as well. We had used discussion boards in the past, but there is now a different focus among the students. Gone are the spelling mistakes and careless thoughts. Students are no longer doing assignments for credit, they are doing quality work!
Action research was also the catalyst for change in my school. The research also identified a weakness in student knowledge of the conventions of grammar. The next step is to implement an Action Plan that will reorganize the English curriculum in a way that teachers and students will increase their attention and focus on grammar in the curriculum. The plan has been well received by the head of the English department and the school administration. Hopefully, changes will come in the next academic year.
Perhaps the biggest thing that I took from action research was that I have a bigger voice in the school now. Through research, I have been able to show data that indicates a problem among many of our students. In addition, I have also shown a potential solution for the problem. Having data and potential solutions has given me more confidence to voice my opinions among fellow teachers. Going forward in my profession, I feel as though I can be a catalyst for change on many levels.
Since the use of digital tools was quite positive, there has been more frequent use of digital tools into my teaching practice. Students are asking when we will use the wiki again and if we can use other digital tools as well. We had used discussion boards in the past, but there is now a different focus among the students. Gone are the spelling mistakes and careless thoughts. Students are no longer doing assignments for credit, they are doing quality work!
Action research was also the catalyst for change in my school. The research also identified a weakness in student knowledge of the conventions of grammar. The next step is to implement an Action Plan that will reorganize the English curriculum in a way that teachers and students will increase their attention and focus on grammar in the curriculum. The plan has been well received by the head of the English department and the school administration. Hopefully, changes will come in the next academic year.
Perhaps the biggest thing that I took from action research was that I have a bigger voice in the school now. Through research, I have been able to show data that indicates a problem among many of our students. In addition, I have also shown a potential solution for the problem. Having data and potential solutions has given me more confidence to voice my opinions among fellow teachers. Going forward in my profession, I feel as though I can be a catalyst for change on many levels.