Research Design
Research Design
The action plan consists of a mixed methodology design, in which, quantitative and qualitative collection tools are used.
Sample
The students in this sample are fourth and fifth grade students in a self-contained classroom. There is an average of 32 students in the class. The age range for the student sample is from 8 to 11 years old. Students involved in this research had different access to technology at home. Less than one-fourth of the students had a personal device at home and used school devices to complete assignments during non-instructional time. Some students were considered digital natives while others were digital citizens. The majority of the class had experience with using some type of technology whether it was a tablet, laptop or desktop computer. All the students were experiencing edmodo platform, roovy and edmodo applications for the first time.
Definition of Terms
Genius Hour Project. Genius hour projects are self-guided research projects that stem from personal interest in a specific topic or skill.
Project-Based Learning. A teaching methodology: in which, students gain knowledge or skills by investigating and answering a challenge, question, or problem.
Learning Management System. A web based platform used for classroom management in regards to assignments, assessments and communication among teachers and students such as, Edmodo, or Roovy.
Digital Note-Taking. The use of digital note-taking applications via computer or mobile device that allows typing, recording sound and sharing through an online platform.
Technology. The implementation of electronic and online platforms used as an instructional tool.
The action plan consists of a mixed methodology design, in which, quantitative and qualitative collection tools are used.
Sample
The students in this sample are fourth and fifth grade students in a self-contained classroom. There is an average of 32 students in the class. The age range for the student sample is from 8 to 11 years old. Students involved in this research had different access to technology at home. Less than one-fourth of the students had a personal device at home and used school devices to complete assignments during non-instructional time. Some students were considered digital natives while others were digital citizens. The majority of the class had experience with using some type of technology whether it was a tablet, laptop or desktop computer. All the students were experiencing edmodo platform, roovy and edmodo applications for the first time.
Definition of Terms
Genius Hour Project. Genius hour projects are self-guided research projects that stem from personal interest in a specific topic or skill.
Project-Based Learning. A teaching methodology: in which, students gain knowledge or skills by investigating and answering a challenge, question, or problem.
Learning Management System. A web based platform used for classroom management in regards to assignments, assessments and communication among teachers and students such as, Edmodo, or Roovy.
Digital Note-Taking. The use of digital note-taking applications via computer or mobile device that allows typing, recording sound and sharing through an online platform.
Technology. The implementation of electronic and online platforms used as an instructional tool.
Action Plan
Background Information and Purposes of the Action Research Project
In order to implement student-choice learning projects, I will use the intervention of genius hour. The intervention of genius hour is also known as 20% time or passion projects. The goal of genius hour projects is for students to devote an entire hour to researching a topic that they are interested in. After the students conduct sufficient research, they must present their findings. Students are able to present in any format that they choose.Videos, blogs, PowerPoints, websites are several examples of student presentations. In all, the goal of genius hour is to get students to engage and demonstrate independent learning.
There are various forms of implementing a genius hour project and for the purpose of this study, I will structure the project to focus on the research aspect. I will need to designate a total of two hours per week. The students will be given a daily twenty minute period of genius hour between social studies and language arts. The second hour will be given either on Monday or Friday during the one hour period after lunch and before the end of the school day. Each project will have a four to six week time allotment. Typically, one week will be given for developing a question and creating a final product. The majority of the weeks will be devoted to student research.
In order to maximize time, projects will be divided into three sections. The three sections are: genius hour topic and question development, research, and final product creation. The first week will be devoted to the first section. Initially, students will brainstorm several topics that they are interested in. They will discuss and narrow their topics until they identify a topic, they are interested in. After they identify their topic, they will need to write a research question. The question should not be answered with a simple google search or yes/no answer. For instance, a student could be interested in echo location. If the student wrote, “What is echolocation?”, the question could not be used for research since it is easily answered by a dictionary or google search engine. Instead, the student would need to modify the question to; “How does echolocation benefit animals, like dolphins?”. From this question, the student could research echolocation, animals that used echolocation, or the purpose of echolocation for specific animals. The second question provides the student with more opportunities to dig deeper in the topic of echolocation. Once the research question has been generated, the students will be able to move into the next section.
In the second section, students will be conducting their research. The main mode of research will be done on electronic platforms due to classroom conditions. The classroom used for this sample, will pilot software, programs and applications. Since this classroom is striving to be paper-free, I will be delivering instruction on applications and programs that students can use to note-take and save work. Student will be given the option of collecting information on a notebook and using the library as a resource. There will be mini-lessons on navigating on a computer and device. These mini-lessons will be addressed to students in small group settings for those who choose to take part. The teacher will give direct instruction on note-taking and graphic organizers. The lesson will be done on the days that there is more than twenty minutes of genius hour. In all, students will have two to three weeks to collect information.
Lastly, the final section will include product creation. Each student will have to decide the product they chose to share their findings with the world. The students have one week to complete their final product. Some students may begin their final product during the research phase if it will require more than a weeks time to complete. For instance, some students may choose to create a website on their findings. Where as, other students can create a video blog that might require more steps to complete. All students are required to bring the necessary material to school. If students require equipment that must stay at home, then the teacher must be in communication with student and parents about accessibility. The teacher shall assign two final days where students share their genius hour project. The goal is to have students discuss the process and their knowledge gain from their findings. The students will present in a round robin presentation format. The students will have an assigned period of time to present to a group of peers. The format of the groups should be small to give students the opportunity to share and discuss. Most groups will about three to five students. Once the presentations have been completed, the next day will begin a new cycle of a genius hour project.
Ethical Considerations
Throughout this research, I had to consider several ethical considerations regarding access to technology. Many of the components of genius hour projects will give students the opportunity to create final products using various computer programs and applications due to the format of the classroom. In the beginning of this action research, mobile devices and desktop stations will be shared among students. For genius hour projects, students who need access but cannot attain a device at home will be allowed to use computers before class. If a student would like to work with their personal device, the student, teacher and parent will come to an agreement. Towards the middle of this action research, the Santo school district will have implemented one-to-one devices in third, fourth and fifth grades. Each student will be receiving an iPad. Each student’s guardian will decide if the iPad will go home or stay in the classroom after school hours. Furthermore, students will be provided with the opportunity to conduct research at the school library during class time and after school hours. Genius hour projects will not be for homework because of access to technology, unless the student decides to continue or finish work at home.
In order to implement student-choice learning projects, I will use the intervention of genius hour. The intervention of genius hour is also known as 20% time or passion projects. The goal of genius hour projects is for students to devote an entire hour to researching a topic that they are interested in. After the students conduct sufficient research, they must present their findings. Students are able to present in any format that they choose.Videos, blogs, PowerPoints, websites are several examples of student presentations. In all, the goal of genius hour is to get students to engage and demonstrate independent learning.
There are various forms of implementing a genius hour project and for the purpose of this study, I will structure the project to focus on the research aspect. I will need to designate a total of two hours per week. The students will be given a daily twenty minute period of genius hour between social studies and language arts. The second hour will be given either on Monday or Friday during the one hour period after lunch and before the end of the school day. Each project will have a four to six week time allotment. Typically, one week will be given for developing a question and creating a final product. The majority of the weeks will be devoted to student research.
In order to maximize time, projects will be divided into three sections. The three sections are: genius hour topic and question development, research, and final product creation. The first week will be devoted to the first section. Initially, students will brainstorm several topics that they are interested in. They will discuss and narrow their topics until they identify a topic, they are interested in. After they identify their topic, they will need to write a research question. The question should not be answered with a simple google search or yes/no answer. For instance, a student could be interested in echo location. If the student wrote, “What is echolocation?”, the question could not be used for research since it is easily answered by a dictionary or google search engine. Instead, the student would need to modify the question to; “How does echolocation benefit animals, like dolphins?”. From this question, the student could research echolocation, animals that used echolocation, or the purpose of echolocation for specific animals. The second question provides the student with more opportunities to dig deeper in the topic of echolocation. Once the research question has been generated, the students will be able to move into the next section.
In the second section, students will be conducting their research. The main mode of research will be done on electronic platforms due to classroom conditions. The classroom used for this sample, will pilot software, programs and applications. Since this classroom is striving to be paper-free, I will be delivering instruction on applications and programs that students can use to note-take and save work. Student will be given the option of collecting information on a notebook and using the library as a resource. There will be mini-lessons on navigating on a computer and device. These mini-lessons will be addressed to students in small group settings for those who choose to take part. The teacher will give direct instruction on note-taking and graphic organizers. The lesson will be done on the days that there is more than twenty minutes of genius hour. In all, students will have two to three weeks to collect information.
Lastly, the final section will include product creation. Each student will have to decide the product they chose to share their findings with the world. The students have one week to complete their final product. Some students may begin their final product during the research phase if it will require more than a weeks time to complete. For instance, some students may choose to create a website on their findings. Where as, other students can create a video blog that might require more steps to complete. All students are required to bring the necessary material to school. If students require equipment that must stay at home, then the teacher must be in communication with student and parents about accessibility. The teacher shall assign two final days where students share their genius hour project. The goal is to have students discuss the process and their knowledge gain from their findings. The students will present in a round robin presentation format. The students will have an assigned period of time to present to a group of peers. The format of the groups should be small to give students the opportunity to share and discuss. Most groups will about three to five students. Once the presentations have been completed, the next day will begin a new cycle of a genius hour project.
Ethical Considerations
Throughout this research, I had to consider several ethical considerations regarding access to technology. Many of the components of genius hour projects will give students the opportunity to create final products using various computer programs and applications due to the format of the classroom. In the beginning of this action research, mobile devices and desktop stations will be shared among students. For genius hour projects, students who need access but cannot attain a device at home will be allowed to use computers before class. If a student would like to work with their personal device, the student, teacher and parent will come to an agreement. Towards the middle of this action research, the Santo school district will have implemented one-to-one devices in third, fourth and fifth grades. Each student will be receiving an iPad. Each student’s guardian will decide if the iPad will go home or stay in the classroom after school hours. Furthermore, students will be provided with the opportunity to conduct research at the school library during class time and after school hours. Genius hour projects will not be for homework because of access to technology, unless the student decides to continue or finish work at home.
Sample Action Plan Calendar
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