Literature Review and my Problem Statement

Since my last post, I have been working on integrating more and more technology in my classroom. I have worked in Edmodo and a flipped classroom in one controlled groups and more traditional classroom to create a wide sample size. My literature review would push my classroom more towards a 21st century learning style. These are the skills that will create the global learner and worker. But how does this prepare my students now? My problem statement is as follows:

How does the infusion of 21st century learning skills and emerging technology affect the student’s ability to pass and or perform well on local and state-wide standardized assessments?

The infusion of the 21st century learning skills, first introduces a definition problem. How do you define these skills and to what point are they used? How can you know that these are the skills that would be needed in the future with a world that changes on a daily basis? This question can lead and will lead to years of research. Given that this will only be done in a few weeks, a small sample size will be used and data analysis will have to be conducted on pre and post tests questions.

To help sort some of this out, this article has a chart does a great job explaining the differences between 20th and 21st century learning.

Chart describing the differences between 20th and 21st Century Learning

Looking at this chart and identifying what 21st century skills that are needed, you can begin to identity what technology tools to use. For example, I use Edmodo as a great collaborative tool. Good docs to maintain online portfolio of work, quizlet to help study and other Web 2.0 tools that are being developed to fuse skills and technology.

To futhur infuse these skills, the common core and PAARC tests are being written to these skill sets.  Therefore, it stands to reason, that if teachers and students can master these skills and infusing technology, test scores will go up.

Looking ahead: As I dive deeper into my research, I plan on incorporating these skills and more technology into test taking abilities and study skills to prepare for upcoming tests.

My Action Research

I am working on my Action Research.  I am addressing the issue of the achievement gap in my school between whites and students of color.  I am not having trouble defining the problem but I am having trouble coming up with research questions and tying technology into this topic. 

My Literature Review & Technology

Electronic Instruction Considering Learning Styles

One study I am using in my literature review discusses electronic media and its use in instruction. Even with one method of presentation - electronically - learning styles can still be considered. Researchers used a theory with seven learning styles and examined their correlation with a teaching strategy and type of electronic media. Students in the Visual Learning Style category were taught with images, diagrams, and simulations, and their understanding of the material was to be presented in a similar fashion. Students that prefer Active Learning were taught with role play, and homework included practicing the information with electronic methods of discussion and group work. Whether with electronic media or in front of a classroom, it is important that the teacher “organize activities that take into account individual learning style, that assessments are designed taking into account the variety of learning styles of students …”.

Beginning to Learn for both the teacher and the student

The infusion of 21st century technology and skills create many challenges for the teacher and the students. Both parties have to learn new ways of running a class. This past week, as I begin to prepare for my Action Research, I flipped my classroom. This was my first attempt at doing this in a 10th grade class. It literally, flipped (pardon the double use of the word) my students perception of how learning takes place. The first day was rough and very few students were prepared for class. Few understood what to do and had the necessary work prepared for the class.  I spend the day reteaching most of the new material. However, the second and third time I did it, I got more buy and and the students came ready. The level of questioning improved as did the quality of work. This is an important first step as i prepare my students for a whole unit using these type of lessons and skills, so that they are prepared for a whole new type of learning experience. I am excited to see what their results of their quiz are next week.

Here is a great website to share more with you about the benefits of a Flipped Classroom.
http://flippedclassroom.org

Here is a great video to show you exactly what is a Flipped Classroom.

Next Steps

Before continuing with my search for relevant literature and deciding on a research approach, I feel it necessary to spend some time developing my topic further so that my action research plan’s purpose and the value of its undertaking it is clear. I’ll need to consider what my goals and objectives are, how data will be collected, analyzed, and reported. The answers to those questions will allow me to better frame my plan, find the needed literature, and identify appropriate research methods.

Quote

"Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will gain in learning."

This quote exemplifies action research. Learning should actively involve students. Use collaboration and find ways to make learning meaningful - which may include understand the different learning styles among those in your classroom. Create an environment that supports such a variety and teach with different methods of instruction to help engage students.

Starting a Literature Review

The purpose of my action research plan is to study the effects of technology-based personalized instruction in math on student motivation, and on local and state assessments. Now that I have a problem statement and research questions, I have moved on to my search for related literature. First, I conducted searches to identify the top experts in this topic. I performed Google searches, and used LinkedIn , Scoop.it!, and Twitter. I’ve also began to look for useful articles and books using Google Scholar and ERIC. What I found so far is that the literature discusses either personalized learning, technology, or math, but not the combination of the three.