I think I have changed my essential question and it has evolved so much over the past few weeks that I kinda feel dizzy. I started by trying to focus on students of trauma. I mean that is the majority of the population at Shearer, but as I trying to bring the study into focus and be able to have clear-cut results I struggled to find a way to define whether or not the three pillars of trauma informed care would actually be having a positive affect on the learning of students in my classroom.
I can trace my essential question back to one of the first few classes we had in 701 where we were asked to find some different videos of technology in the classroom. I stumbled upon an app being used in the classroom and I was instantly drawn to it. I wanted to go to school and try it right away. Keeping a journal of my ongoing questions at the end of the week actually helped me to hone in on my questions. I was left so frustrated at the end of the week with how much I was being expected to implement and try and use with no real plan for how to do it. I realized that with the use of this new tool I found I might be able to solve some of my problems. Even since the beginning I have wanted to focus on closing the achievement gap. Originally I was planning on focusing on just students of trauma, but I think that limited the potency of my study. I didn't want to set limits on seeing if technology had a tried and true effect on student learning. I realized that there were some themes in the trainings I had attended and those themes were: student engagement, rigor, visible learning ,( goal setting and timely teacher feedback), and preparing students with 21st century skills. I was faced with the challenge of doing all this with the curriculum that we are required to use. I think and hope that my essential question and research could have some positive effects at a school level, state level and a national level. I think that closing the achievement gap is such a huge feat for teachers and there is definitely not a shortage of people trying to find ways to do it. I think, however, that we have gotten lost along the way and need some redirection. I think that there is an easier way to look a student learning on many levels without ripping our hair out. I also think that there is a way to boost students engagement and motivation in the meantime! I think 21st century learning can feel daunting expecially for lower grade levels. At least that is how it felt for me. I am searching for a way to reach these goals I have for my teaching with the use of different kinds of technology. I also hope there will be a positive effect on student learning and engagement. I still feel as though I need to hone in on just one aspect of this....
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10/1/2018 11:54:32 pm
I really admire your tenacity - hang in there! I too have found it hard to come up with an essential question & I was also interested in how we close the achievement gap. It's such a broad question and really difficult to measure. Will you try and just use one app/ program and focus in on that to try and come up with some sort of data? I am going to look at quizlet and measure results of a quizzes when using it and not using it to see if there is a difference. Good luck!
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AuthorI am a first grade teacher who is passionate about her students and learning new things! Archives
January 2019
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