Dan Lima Memo 4 - Research Questions

My research questions have to do with the way in which my students learn. I am noticing through my journals that my lessons are following a rather boring routine. I am spending a lot of time at the front of the room doing direct instruction. I seem to be getting fairly positive results in class, but I am not convinced my students have really grasped the material. I want to try and incorporate more group work and student-led learning, ultimately resulting in less of "me time" in front of the room. I have always been wary of student led instruction because it's harder for me to gauge my students' achievement. I hope that student led instruction will lead to deeper understanding of the material and more positive student engagement.
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Class:  9^th Grade - Algebra I

School: Public high school (Grades 9-12), under-resourced district

Overarching question:

How are student mastery and student engagement affected when students are given more autonomy over their learning?

Sub-questions:

1.      If students are allowed to collaborate in the classroom, what will happen to their academic achievement?

-Journal

-Exit tickets

-Pre-post test comparison

2.      How do different instructional techniques affect student engagement and mastery?

-Journal

-Participation charts

-Interviews

3.      How does a more student-lead classroom affect who I am as a teacher and how my students perceive me?

-Journal

-Survey

-Interviews