Action Research Update for EDLD 5326

In my action research on “How Technology Affects ELLs and Non-ELLS in Math”, students who were provided lessons using technology in the classroom, and then worked daily in the computer lab on assignments related to the subject. At first, I utilized the programs that we already had, and then I researched some addition free internet resources that contained games in the topics that we studied in math.  I created a class webpage and housed links to these programs so that the students could easily access them at school and at home.  As the year progressed more internet based learning games were added to the links. These students worked on word problems, reviewed vocabulary words daily through games and self-testing, and were able to do games that competed against each other to enhance their math skills. The students were also able to work on these programs at home.  About January, all the internet based learning programs were being utilized by the students.  Periodically through the year, last year, students were given benchmarks to see how they were progressing. During the summer, I pulled all the benchmarks to see how the students increased and compared the averages between the ELLs and the non-ELLs. The results of the program showed that ELLs improved more than the non-ELL students.  Factors that could have contributed to this outcome is:  the ELL students were more eager to learn based on culture, students learning was engaged because of having access to technology, students were able to compete against themselves or other students within the class continuously setting higher goals for themselves, or students were seeing problems more visually.  One thing that I thought was interesting; I had students that had learning issues on both the ELL and non-ELL side.  The students with the learning issues benefited

Third Benchmark Complete

This week we completed the third benchmark.  This benchmark was created from Countdown to STAAR which is suppose to be equivalent questions that will appear on the STAAR test.  The test was harder than the previous test.  Students who needed accommodations were granted the accommodations.  The ELL's result was that three of the four passed and the one who showed no improvement last time has come up 20 points from the last test.  The non-ELL's, 13 students have passed, and the ones who have not passed all of their scores have increased as well.

Since the state will not be getting is the scores on the actual STAAR test that will be taken in April to us until next year (after this project is due), this will be the last data pull, and the research is complete. Now data will be collected an analyzed more in depth. Students will continue to work on Study Island and vocabulary until the end of April. I spoke with my mentor (principal) to ensure this would be a correct action.  I will be waiting for the results to come back from the TELPAS scoring.

SPED Teacher Comment

Today in math we were speaking about equivalent fractions and number lines.  One of my students who recently came out of the Title 1 class answered a question about what 4/4 would be equivalent to.  He immediately answered 1.  The SPED teacher was surprised he answered so quickly and asked him how he figured it out so fast.  He stated that it was the same thing as 4 divided by 4 which would equal 1, and proceeded to stated that any number over itself was 1 listing off examples.  The logic was very simple, but seeing other 3rd grade classes she was surprised to see students making connections to fractions and division.

Computer Lab (Flashcards)

One of my students noticed a new icon popped up to each section in Study Island.  The Study Island group has added flashcards as a self check before students begin answering recordable answers.  Students have now been informed to watch the video, complete the flashcards, then take the test.  Note:  students are still using quizlet to aid in the learning of vocabulary.

Computer Lab (Study Island Cleaned)

I have requested that the IT Director to revert the Study Island program back to having no student use to allow students to begin reviewing all concepts again.  Students will be required to retake each section by viewing the video then doing the questions.  Students will be required to repeat each section until they have a minimum of an 85 on each section before they can go on to the next.

Second Benchmark Complete

The second benchmark has been completed.  This benchmark was a previous April 2009 released TAKS test.  This test was easier than then previous test.  Students that required modifications were given the accommodations on this round of test.  I will begin to pull reports and begin to compare to see how students are doing.  In the preliminary round, the ELL's 2 out of the 4 have passed, and the third has improved.  We are now looking at the 4th ELL to see if there are any learning issues that may be resulting in the lack of improvement.  As far as the non-ELL's 13 have passed this round of test.  Those who did not pass are maintaining and are being sent to get small group tutoring. One of the students who did not pass is new to the school and was not in the previous round of testing.

Computer Lab (Study Island Videos)

One of my students noticed that videos has been added to Study Island.  Students are now instructed to review the videos before working that sections problems.  The video is an interactive video that checks for learning understanding.  This is now incorporated into computer time.