ECI 523 - Teacher as Researcher
Throughout the Teacher as Researcher course, we were exposed to several different ways to view our teaching and recognize what changes needed to be made in order to fully maximize our students learning. Education is a profession that is very individualistic and allows each teacher to manage their classroom in a way that best suits their needs. As a result, we take comfort in things we think we do well, and shy away from those which we know need improvement in. As a teacher researcher, you ask yourself the tough questions and probe your teaching to find out what can be done to make you and your students better.
For my research, I decided to look at a topic unavoidable by anyone involved in the education field: assessment. A term that sends shivers through the veins of a lot of educators knowing the importance most school-boards, states and countries place on the evidence found in test scores. I was more concerned, however, in finding out how my students would do if we changed things up a little and began using technology to assess what they had learned as opposed to your ‘traditional’ tests and quizzes.
In doing this research, I quickly found how less stressful and relaxed my students were on these assessments compared to their other classes and previous exams in my class. There was a sense of excitement as the students now had an opportunity to show that they learned the material, but more importantly, could apply it in a way that would resonate with them. In my mind, we are just regurgitaters of information that the Internet can provide for these kids quicker, and maybe even clearer, and easier. If my students can not apply what they are learning in my room, than I walk away feeling dissatisfied and distraught knowing that I let them down. The use of technology I found, not only garners creativity, but requires the students to make connections to the material so they can own it.
This research project has stirred a desire for me to continue to investigate my teaching and techniques to see where else I can improve. No one in education can claim to do it all the right way. If they do, then the reality check they so badly need is knocking at their door. We as teachers not only walk away from research such as this with a renewed sense of what we are doing, but our students benefit as well. In looking at what we do, we get to know our students better and can understand what they need in order to be successful. Research gets a bad rap sometimes because people see it as a labor intensive, temporary solution to an ever changing problem. However, we need to recognize that we cannot become stagnant in this profession or we, and our students, will suffer. I found that using technology and getting our students to see the value in it, drives learning and creates a hunger to learn more and apply what they are learning to their own lives.
For my research, I decided to look at a topic unavoidable by anyone involved in the education field: assessment. A term that sends shivers through the veins of a lot of educators knowing the importance most school-boards, states and countries place on the evidence found in test scores. I was more concerned, however, in finding out how my students would do if we changed things up a little and began using technology to assess what they had learned as opposed to your ‘traditional’ tests and quizzes.
In doing this research, I quickly found how less stressful and relaxed my students were on these assessments compared to their other classes and previous exams in my class. There was a sense of excitement as the students now had an opportunity to show that they learned the material, but more importantly, could apply it in a way that would resonate with them. In my mind, we are just regurgitaters of information that the Internet can provide for these kids quicker, and maybe even clearer, and easier. If my students can not apply what they are learning in my room, than I walk away feeling dissatisfied and distraught knowing that I let them down. The use of technology I found, not only garners creativity, but requires the students to make connections to the material so they can own it.
This research project has stirred a desire for me to continue to investigate my teaching and techniques to see where else I can improve. No one in education can claim to do it all the right way. If they do, then the reality check they so badly need is knocking at their door. We as teachers not only walk away from research such as this with a renewed sense of what we are doing, but our students benefit as well. In looking at what we do, we get to know our students better and can understand what they need in order to be successful. Research gets a bad rap sometimes because people see it as a labor intensive, temporary solution to an ever changing problem. However, we need to recognize that we cannot become stagnant in this profession or we, and our students, will suffer. I found that using technology and getting our students to see the value in it, drives learning and creates a hunger to learn more and apply what they are learning to their own lives.
eci_523-research_paper.docx | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | docx |