Collaboration
How can collaborative learning with technology & web 2.0 increase literacy and engage at-risk youth?
“In a 180-day school year, the classroom teacher and the computer screen may be the most consistent participants in an at-risk student’s life.” |
Teachers As Researchers, Fall 2010
During Dr. Meghan Manfra’s Teachers as Researchers’ course I realized the significance of action research to improve teacher’s pedagogy and student learning outcomes. As a teacher researcher, I sought to implement my own action research project in my 7th period social studies’ class of predominantly at-risk students. During this class, we have faced several challenges, specifically, behavioral issues, lack of respect for peers, and student apathy. I knew this class would be difficult when one of my students shouted, “Well, you’re just gonna give up on us anyway!” I realized at this moment, this class needed me to show them I would not give up on them. Determined, I designed an action-research project to restructure my class through jigsaw learning. Through collaborative learning groups, students divided and conquered challenging material and created weekly student presentations using various technology and web 2.0. During the early stages of our study, student groups focused on researching skills, note-taking, and creating presentations using Powerpoint. This research project lasted for one semester and ultimately, student’s time on task increased, as well as, student grades (during every 3 week interim report, and quarter reports from quarter 1 and 2). Student’s formative testing scores increased from being in the “teens” to nearly triple their initial score! By the end of the project, students began self-monitoring each others’ off-task behavior and overall students began respecting each other and operating in a nurturing classroom environment. Overall, this action-research project proved the value of seeking answers through action-research to overcome challenges with my students. I also felt the support of my action-research team of colleagues that helped provide great insight into my research project. I realize the importance of holding high-expectations for at-risk students in order to prepare them as citizens in a competitive society. |