Action Research

Reflections in Math Instruction: An Action Research Plan

As an educator who searches for tools and practices to improve student learning in the classroom, I was enthusiastic to research a more personal topic and test its effectiveness with my own students. Throughout my time in the Digital Learning and Leading Program at Lamar University, I have focused on my innovation plan, “Redefining Rigor,” which promotes the use of ePortfolios in the classroom. Although I am interested in this work, I am enthusiastic to conduct Action Research focused on the topic of student reflections as it relates to math instruction. As the initial step in this research, my focus is important because it is specific to my classroom and subject. Additionally, I believe that the effects of this research will be rapidly disclosed as the results will reveal whether it is helpful for my students in real time. The overall purpose of my research topic, reflections in math instruction, is to determine if math comprehension will increase if students create weekly reflections on math concepts.

Fundamental Research Question

Throughout my years as an educator I observed that students highly depend on the teacher as a compass for their understanding of math concepts. I also noticed that my elementary level students use minimal logic, reason and explanation when it relates to math. For the purpose of this study, my question is: Will weekly reflections in an ePortfolio increase math comprehension in my 4th grade math class? I am delighted to teach math. Learning math is accompanied with self discovery, practice, application and the ability to create both an enjoyable and challenging experience for students. One shortcoming in the learning process is a need for students to self-analyze their math comprehension. Rather than heavily relying on the teacher to guide their learning in this subject, refocusing on metacognition from reflections as a tool to enhance individualized learning may be beneficial. There is an abundance of research that displays the significance of reflection as a self accountable step in creating better learning and deeper understanding. Based on the information from these studies, it may be beneficial to utilize this learning strategy to influence and improve student understanding of math concepts.

Study Information

There are four steps to complete an action research study. The first stage, Planning Stage, describes my current status of this project. During this phase, my initial responsibility is to identify my topic. To ensure that it is based on a relevant and impactful classroom problem, I began with my innovation plan and narrowed my focus from there. When the topic was decided, I ensured that it was narrow and even more specific to my unique classroom culture. Next, I gathered academic and peer reviewed information related to this topic. This stage led me to the literature review. During the review, I found an array of resources that referred to my specific problem in addition to information that was more diverse in its perspective on my topic. These resources helped guide my learning in order to complete and develop a research plan and outline. The second phase entails the acting stage or the data analysis part of the plan. The third phase is the developing stage that determines when and how the action research is implemented. The final and most important phase in action research is the reflecting stage. During this part of the process, data and discoveries are discussed. This is also the time of the plan where reflection occurs. Teachers are given insight to the research plan process in addition to closing gaps that exist between educational theory and daily practice. This step is so important in the process. I will make deductions on what should occur in order to take action or make next steps. I will decide whether to continue my plan, discontinue and reframe or modify what is already in place. I will reflect on successes, improvements to be made, and how this study will or will not have difficulties helping students.

Research Design

Before implementation of the plan begins, it is crucial to possess a blueprint in order to proceed with the action research. Research Design is the organizing and creating stage that focuses on how data will be analyzed and collected. During this portion of the study, I will create something like a “blueprint.” (Mertler, 2004). When designing my research plan there are two primary forms of research design. The qualitative research designs have a more holistic approach to data collection. It is less statistical and focused on the bigger. Quantitative research design, on the other hand, focuses on the numbers.

Research Method

I will collect quantitative data in order to gain numerical representations of growth and progress for math comprehension topics from weekly assessments, unit exams and other required assessments for my district. I will also gain student feedback by way of qualitative surveys. This design seemed best because it appeared to be a streamlined and transferable way to compare growth. Comparing and utilizing the data gained from my action plan can easily be related to data collection of my organization.

Data Collection and Analysis

In both of my 4th grade math classes, I will compare data using district pre assessments and common assessments for each math topic in the upcoming semesters. I will also collect opinions from students based on their experience with math reflections. To analyze, I will measure the student growth in math comprehension by comparing the pre assessment scores with the common assessment scores using tools such as excel, google sheets and any other tools comparable for scoring and data used by the district. For student experience, I will measure use of their qualitative explanations and opinions gained from google forms.

Sharing and Communicating Results

After collecting and analyzing all of my data from student surveys, and assessments, I can finally share my findings with my audience. My team, the administration and the greater education community have lots of information at their fingertips, however, my experience will have more of an impact on those who I work with along with those who may stumble on my information by way of technology. When finding the best medium to share and discuss my results, peer reviewed feedback and critiques from my innovation plan, team meetings, in addition to casual discussions on the topic of student reflections would be most relatable to my audience.

Final Reflection

The last stage of the plan, reflection, will help me decide what my next steps will be. With the help of my educational peers, mentors and leaders, I can decide whether I should proceed with current considerations, modify my plan or discontinue what I have planned altogether. From a researcher standpoint, this work is more exciting due to this personalized classroom topic. As a result of an initial interest in this topic, and research from relevant literature, I look forward to the collection and analysis of data for student reflections in math. These future findings could also be used as an added incentive for the positive effects of my ePortfolio innovation plan, Redefining Rigor, to enhance student instruction.

Resources

Mertler, C. A. (2016). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

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