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- Data Collection Strategies: In one-to-two pages, describe the data obtained through the observations. Charts, diagrams, or other visual depictions of your data may be included.
I’m studying whether online, blended, or traditional learning are more effective for students in 21st Century learning. There are some institutional results available concerning the improvement in scores when using blended learning as opposed to traditional learning. Here are the results:
Spring City Elementary Hybrid Learning School’s PSSA Results
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Subjects
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Traditional SY: 2012-2013
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Blended System SY:
2013-2014
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Percentage in Change
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Reading
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63.9%
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82.9%
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+19%
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Math
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61.4%
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85.4%
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+24%
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Science
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63.0%
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90.0%
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+27%
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Salt Lake City Schools were facing a 10% dropout rate collectively in the district and needed to address this. Innovations Early College High School was opened in the 2012-2013 SY. Students were given more freedom in their choices and complete the courses at their own pace. The graduation rate as of 2014 was 89%. The Spokane Public Schools use their own means of meeting the needs of students. On Track Academy was established as a temporary solution to address the growing graduation rate. It was a success and became a permanent part of the district. Here are the results:
· “In the 2013–14 school year, the high school ICAN program had 813 course enrollments with an 87% completion rate. The middle school ICAN program had 339 course interventions with an 83% completion rate.
· On Track Academy had 280 students attending in the 2014–15 school year and had a graduation rate of 90% in 2014.”
These are all successful programs who have made the case for creating blended learning programs.
(iNACOL, 2015)
· Outcome Analysis: In one-to-two pages, present your conclusions of your data analysis. Explain the specific strategies that were successful, which strategies did not work as well as was anticipated? Additionally, explain how the strategies support the research questions.
With these findings, it can definitely be said that blended learning has been shown to be effective in the districts that have established it. The whole idea is to help improve education for students and address their individual needs. Districts with higher dropout rates sought solutions to the problem by establishing these trial schools and monitoring their progress. Some students have needs that just can’t completely address inside the classroom so using blended learning to give them options helped to improve their performance. I like the idea that students can have choices in their education. The Innovation Early College High School offered the best solutions out of all of those studied. Often students are inundated with too much work and are not necessarily processing the information that they are learning. No one says to make their lives “easier” but rather give them options that work for them. Having 3-4 courses as opposed to 7 courses that are meaningless and are counterproductive to each other makes no sense and can produce bad results. The saying, “quality and not quantity” applies in this scenario. Processing so much meaningless information defeats the purpose of learning. Finding this information through the study has allowed me to gather data on real schools who have been successful. However, there’s not much data out there yet. K-12 schools are still so fresh with using different means of learning for students and cannot offer solid conclusions on what works best. The evidence still needs to be looked at and studied in the coming years to ensure that we get better information. Still, the data looks pleasing in the area of blended learning.
Reference(s):
International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). (2015). Blended Learning: The Evolution of Online and Face-to-Face Education from 2008-2015. Retrieved from http://www.inacol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/iNACOL_Blended-Learning-The-Evolution-of-Online-And-Face-to-Face-Education-from-2008-2015.pdf
# 2 respones to DQ 2
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Barbara Ford![Email this Author]()
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Data Collection Strategies
The data collection tools used for my action research are tools implemented within the curriculum for the purpose of identifying behaviors and developmental issues. The tools that I use are DECA -2, Lap D Assessment, LAP #3 Red- E learner Assessment, Second-Step Mental Health Curriculum, visual depictions of your data may be included. CLASS Observation Tool and anecdotal notes.
To identify social and emotional areas of need for my preschoolers, I utilize the data obtained through my observations which are derived from pre and post self –assessments completed by both parents and teacher with a completed generated rater comparison report. To support this documentation, ongoing documentation is documented on anecdotal sheets, assessment reports from LAP Assessments (Pre, Mid and Post), home visits and parent conferences with parents and literature reviews. “Action research provides correlative and data driven information that can be used to make positive changes in the teaching and learning environment” (Buczynski & Hansen, 2014); Mills, 2014).
Additional data collection from the assessment tool, DECA is the child’s ability to use independent thought and action to meet his/her needs. The child’s ability to express emotions and manage behaviors in healthy ways. The child’s ability to promote and maintain mutual, positive connections with other children. Overall, I obtain ongoing data on each student with a variety of data collection tools which are used to
Outcome Analysis
During my research, the strategies that were most successful were all of the above. After administering the DECA and the Lap D Assessment’s, the student is monitored by both teachers along with the Education Specialist and Mental Health Specialist. Each student will receive a portfolio and here the teacher keeps ongoing documentation of the students’ behavior which is logged on to the Anecdotal Sheet. The child continues to show this behavior after multiple situations and times. I asked the parent to do a questionnaire to find out if parent has any more concerns.
Research Questions
1. What are some of the causes of challenging behavior in the preschool classroom? To answer this question, I used classroom observations, anecdotal notes and pre assessments’. To support my documentation, I used data collected from administration of the LAP D Assessments.
2. How will the inclusion of classroom management strategies reduce challenging behaviors in the classroom? Data collection to support this question is the parent/teacher rater comparison reports and the Individual Developmental Ongoing Assessment Reports from the Lap 3 Red- e-learner which is supported by the Second Step Mental Health Curriculum. Tips for teachers and parents are available with activities to implement on the lesson plan.
3. How will the utilization of assessments improve Behavior Modification Plans? To record data using this tool is through observations, work samples, photos and assessment reports. Qualitative and Quantitative data is gathered and utilized to support my findings. Report can be generated on an individual or group basis
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