Research

Reflection

During my time in the IDT program, I had the opportunity to explore and apply both action research and traditional research methods. This experience helped me understand the strengths and purposes of each approach in the context of classroom teaching and improving educational outcomes.

My own action research project, Artificial Intelligence and Math Learning: Examining Photomath’s Role in Student Performance and Mindset, allowed me to investigate how using an AI tool could support students in learning how to simplify radicals. Over a short period of time, I compared two class periods: one using PhotoMath alongside traditional instruction and another using only traditional instruction. While both groups showed growth, students using PhotoMath reported feeling more confident and were more engaged in the learning process. These results showed me that while the tool didn’t drastically change test scores, it had a noticeable impact on student mindset which could potentially have positive long term effects. 

In my study, Aligning Instruction with Student Preferences: Exploring the Impact of Learning Styles, Collaboration, and Materials on Math Engagement and Performance, I applied traditional research methods to examine how different instructional strategies affect student learning in a high school Math 2 classroom. This included the use of structured surveys, performance assessments, and observational tools to collect quantitative and descriptive data. Traditional research emphasizes objectivity and measurable outcomes, which allowed me to identify patterns in student engagement and achievement. This experience demonstrated the value of traditional research in measuring outcomes, but also its limitations in capturing the complexities of the student learning experiences.

Overall, these two experiences deepened my understanding of research in education. I learned how action research allows me to make meaningful changes in my teaching by closely examining what’s happening in my own classroom. At the same time, I came to appreciate how traditional research provides the big-picture data we often need to support decisions at the school or district level. Both approaches are valuable, and knowing how and when to use each is an important skill I’ll take with me into my future work as an educator and instructional designer.