REFLECTION ZONE: Mini Action Research Round II

 Mini Action Research Round 2

My large action research topic has to do with the power of our words affecting student achievement.  I have a few directions I am considering going with this topic next fall, but am currently undecided. I am fascinated by this topic and am interested in continuing to learn more. 

My mini action research pertains to my topic, and my question is: In what ways does the use of daily, student-friendly learning targets shared and posted at the beginning of class affect student achievement?  After reading literature about the power of words, an article entitled “Knowing Your Learning Target,” and Chapter 3 from ahead of the curve entitled Assessment for Learning: An Essential Foundation of Productive Instruction, I am excited to try incorporating clear, purposeful, learning targets into my everyday classroom.  This is a change to my practice as I have not taken the time to use learning targets in my class.  In fact, I just tried sharing a learning target explicitly last week for the first time on my promethean board.  I want to intentionally provide a clear purposeful learning target each day to better guide my students and clarify expectations. I am hoping to find that when students know where they are going, they are more motivated to do the work needed to get there. 

My data collecting tools will include student surveys before and after the use of daily learning targets.  It will include teacher observations/field notes on student participation.  My data will also include recording how many assignments were completed on time this term (starting on March 21) versus the last term.  I would also like to compare grade averages from term 5 to term 4. 

I will begin my action research Monday, March 21 during 7^th hour and continue it through April 19. 

My learning targets will answer the following questions from a student’s perspective.

1. What are we learning about today? Specifically, what will I be able to do when I’ve finished this lesson?
2. What idea, topic, or skill is important for me to learn and understand so I can do this?
3. How will I show that I can do this, and how well will I have to do it?

Originally I planned to post the learning targets on my promethean board, but I decided to post them on large white paper as well, and hang them around the room (in a line that keeps growing) as an easy, accessible visual for students to recall what we have done this chapter.