Action Research

Update: 9-22-10
AR started slow but is starting to take form. I have come up with the title, “The Effect of Note Taking in a 9th Grade World History Class.” My guiding question is “How does note taking effect student achievement on chapter exams in a 9th grade world history class?” with the secondary question being “What note taking method improves student achievement the most?” Also, the research brief, first cop of the literature review, and signature page are all good to go. The process is going to be slow, but I feel the outcome will be worth the wait.

Update: 9-24-10
Now, action research is starting and the baseline data is collected. I collected the first test scores for my 2nd period world history and my host teacher’s 7th period world history class. The test scores were very good. I introduced note taking to 2nd period with some difficulty. They just did not respond to it. Out of the different methods I showed them, they all still use their own way of notes, whether it be outlining, summarizing, or bullets. On Monday, September 27, 2010, I will start giving them guided notes. I just have to wait and see how it works out; time will only tell.

Update: 10-1-10
Everything is going well. All of my documentation is done and signed. Yesterday, I collected some student work in the form of their partial notes. It seems like they are completing and using them. However, to see how the notes are working, I am going to give my kids a survey on Monday. Also, after the first test with notes, it seems like my hypothesis is right; the notes are increasing their exam scores, but it is still too early to tell. As of right now, I will continue to collect their notes, see how their scores change, and give them surveys to figure how it’s working.

Updates: 10-15-10
AR is going good. Next week, I’m going to collect my third set of exam scores and the 2nd sets completed notes. It still seems like it is helping but we will see.

Update: 10-25-10
Everything is going according to plan. This last data collection, chapter 4, of averages and scores was a little rough. Yet, I do not blame my students for the decrease in the scores because I blame homecoming. Homecoming weekend, I feel, had a big part in why the scores were low. Despite giving the test on the Tuesday after the test, I feel that my kids still were amped up from homecoming and chose not to study. The scores were by no means low, just below usual. Additionally, the notes were not as complete as usual, which could be another factor in why they were low. I will just see what happens on the next exam; this exam being a big one because we are going into ancient Greece.