Action Research Project Title: Do iPads Increase Student Engagement and Scores?

Blog URL: http://jcdelacruz1.blogspot.com/2012/10/font-definitions-font-face-font.html 

Number of AR Project Documented Hours: I have many.  Do I count the student log in information every time they have used iPads?

AR Project Summary (at least 250 words): Goal: To Promote the use of iPads in the classroom for all subjects and determine if iPads increase student engagement and learning in the classroom and reflect on test scores. We will compare scores with another school that will not be using iPads. 

I started out the action research by obtaining principal's permission to conduct action research at Juan Seguin Elementary in second though fifth grade.  I had teachers complete an informal survey in third through fifth grade in regards to comfort level using iPads and Apps to teach all subjects.  We learned that not many were familiar with the use of iPads and needed more training on how to use different Apps with classroom instruction in all subject areas. The principal and I got together and brainstormed what can we do to help all teachers become iPads savvy and use iPads in the classroom.  We approached Apple and district for help and were successful in getting the right help.  I selected one class per grade level (third through fifth grade) to conduct action research with and picked a math/science class in third grade, my class in fourth grade and a self-contained class in fifth grade.  I have started to review 2011-2012 school year STAAR scores, and district assessments for some students in third through fifth grades to able to compare with 2012-2013 school year STAAR and district results. We have been meeting with teachers and administrator once or every other month to ensure the action research plan is being followed and to collaborate on new ideas to use in class.  We have had many App trainings and shared many ideas on how each teacher is using different Apps in all subjects.  One App that seems to be very popular is CBB (Creative Book Builder), which allows students to research topic that will allow them to publish their own e-book.  Now I just have to wait to complete the school year to get STAAR and all district assessment results to desegregate data, conduct end of school year surveys and teacher interviews to see if iPads are a great resource in the classroom.

Action Research Plan

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Action Planning Template
Goal: Goal: To Promote the use of iPads in the classroom for all subjects and determine if iPads increase student engagement and learning in the classroom and reflect on test scores. We will compare scores with another school that will not be using iPads.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Obtain principal's permission to conduct action research at Juan Seguin Elementary grades 2nd-5th.	John De La Cruz	October 2012-June 2012	Written documentation from principal to start action research.	N/a
Survey teachers in grades 3-5 in regards to comfort level using iPads and Apps to teach all subjects.	John De La Cruz	October 31-November 21	Survey created using socrative.	Spreadsheet with teacher answers.
Select one class per grade level (3-5) to conduct action research with. I will choose based on survey.	John De La Cruz	October 2012-June 2012	Written documentation from teachers allowing me to conduct action research and compare data.	Email stating it is ok to conduct research.
Review previous year STAAR scores, district assessments, and data teams for all students in grades 3-5 to able to compare with this years score.	John De La Cruz	October 2012-June 2012	Student data collected from D2SC and Data Teams spreadsheets. The following will be used: Pre and Post assessments (Data Teams), STAAR test, District Assessments, classroom assessments, and report cards.	Spreadsheets
Meet with teachers and/or administrator once or every other month to ensure the action research plan is processing and to collaborate on new ideas to use in class.	John De La Cruz, administrators and participating teachers	Once a month or every other month	Creativity, iPads, and Apple applications.	Lesson Plans, new ideas, and Apple applications.
Implement study.	John De La Cruz and participating teachers	October 2012-April 2012	IPads and Apple Application.	Assessment data, observations, interviews, surveys, grades and data.
Conduct survey and teacher interview on using iPads in the classroom.	John De La Cruz	May 2012	Socrative survey and questions via e-mail.	Spreadsheet of teacher answers to compare with initial survey.
Conduct student survey of iPads use in the classroom promoted learning.	John De La Cruz, students and teachers	May 2012	Survey created with Socrative Application.	Survey answers in spreadsheet.
Examine student data from current year and finalize action research plan.	John De La Cruz, participating teachers, and administrators.	June 2012	Grades, data, STAAR results, pre and post assessments, interviews, emails, surveys, and observations.	Skyward (grades), D2SC (data), Data Teams (pre and post assessments), interviews, emails, surveys, and observations.

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ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT: Do iPads increase student engagement and learning in the classroom and reflect on test scores.

1. Setting the Foundation – I played with a few ideas when deciding on my action research plan.  I narrowed it to two and could not decide.  I then decided to go with the one I felt was going to make me a better teacher.  My principal let me decide on which one I felt was a better choice for me.  She felt both were good and high need on our campus.  I decided to go with the use of iPads in the classroom.  This year our district started a pilot program and my school was selected in being part of the iAchieve project.

2. Analyzing data – One reason I was really intrigued with the plan is the fact that there is not a lot of research out there on iPads in the classroom. I will be using both quantitative and qualitative data, which are just as important when conducting an action research. I will be analyzing STAAR test results, Data Teams assessments, grades and surveys to gather data about each class and students.

3. Developing deeper understanding – For iPads action research I will be analyzing qualitative and quantitative data.  The data will include as mentioned above STAAR test results, Data Teams assessments, grades and surveys.  We will be collaborating with grades 3-5 on a monthly basis to see how we can help each other and share new Apps that enhance learning.  Any ideas and suggestions about the action research.  I will also interview and meet with iAchieve personnel.

4. Engaging in Self-Reflection – One way I plan on keeping up with the action research is by keeping a journal on observations, meetings, surveys, emails, data and updating my blog. This will allow me to share data with teachers and administrators.  This will be a great way to reflect on action plan.

5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns – When starting this program I will meet with my administrator and teachers involved to answer any of us may have.  We will share data from previous year and set a goal. I will make sure we all have the same professional developments on iPads.  We will identify areas of concern and start tracking any data as soon as we get it.

6. Determining direction – An area that I would like to make sure I address with everyone is the purpose for action research, time, keeping up with data and working as a team. I will be constantly emailing them to make sure no one is confused and if so I can answer or find an answer for that person.  This will allow me to make sure we get all of the quantitative and qualitative data to complete action research plan.

7. Taking action for school improvement – I made my plan using the 7.1 template.  I felt this was the easier of the two to keep up with and understand, as I will share with all involved.

 

Sustaining improvement – This will be a very important action research because I will learn a lot from it.  I will not only learn and actually conduct an action research plan, but I will have data that will allow me to see if iPads enhance learning.  I will share this action research with anyone involved and anyone who is interested in the outcome.

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Sharing and collaborating is an essential piece for great teaching.  As mentioned in the reading, we have to share as educators if we want to make a difference.  The reading used an analogy that helps clarify how important it is to share.  If one does not share there will be more of the same “An unshared practitioner inquiry is like the stone lying beside the pond” (Dana).  I will share my research with everyone involved, administrator and iAchieve personnel (district level).

Background Information:

Fort Bend ISD has launched a pilot program with 14 elementary and middle schools for 2^nd-8^th grade.  I am at an elementary school and will only be doing my action research with grades 3-5.  Those grades were chosen because they test taking grade level.  We have received professional developments by the district that targets using iPads in the classroom.  By the end of the year we should have taken 30+ professional development hours specific to iPads in the classroom.  I decided to do this action research because I want to personally see what impact do iPads have in the classroom.  I am a fourth grade bilingual teacher who feels that the iPads will make a huge difference in the classroom. 

Design of the Inquiry:

1.     Obtain principal's permission to conduct action research at Juan Seguin Elementary grades 2nd-5th.

2. Survey teachers in grades 3-5 in regards to comfort level using iPads and Apps to teach all subjects.

3. Select one class per grade level (3-5) to conduct action research with. I will choose based on survey. 

4. Review previous year STAAR scores, district assessments, and data teams for all students in grades 3-5 to able to compare with this years score.

5. Meet with teachers and/or administrator once or every other month to ensure the action research plan is processing and to collaborate on new ideas to use in class.

6. Implement study.

7. Conduct survey and teacher interview on using iPads in the classroom.

8. Conduct student survey of iPads use in the classroom promoted learning.

9. Examine student data from current year and finalize action research plan.

Stating the Learning:

iAchieve is a new program in the district and our school; we do not have enough quantitative an qualitative data to know what impact it has with learning.  I will use the surveys, interviews and data that will let me know that iPads in the classroom increases student engagement that will reflect on test scores.  This action research will be used in all subject areas, but mostly focused on math and science. 

Concluding Thoughts:

Since iAchieve is a new program in the district and our school, we do not have enough data to determine an outcome.  I only know what difference it has made with my daughter at home.  One I am done I will analyze the data (surveys, quantitative data, interviews etc.) and compile it to determine that iPads do have a positive influence on learning and students benefit from using them in the classroom.

Action Research to improve as a leader and learner

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After completing the reading I realized that there are several types of research.  From my understanding is that as an aspiring administrator we have to do our own research to see what works and what needs to be changed.  I could not agree more that an action research is the better practice because the person with the question is the insider.  When forming an inquiry one will not depend on the results of an outsider who has no clue of how a classroom works or what issues your students are dealing with at that time. Educators can do the same.  They can start by asking a question and then wanting to figure out how can they improve or change that concern.  A lot of times when we have faculty meetings our principal may ask questions or give a survey about certain topics.  After completing the reading I realized that my administrators were doing an inquiry of their own.  I then started to really think and can say the same for the librarian and our technology ETS.  They were doing their own inquiry and did not depend on a third party to give them answers they may get on their own.

While reading the homework a lot of ideas were popping in my head.  One of the ideas that really caught my attention is how can I do my own action research with the use of technology.  After taking EDLD 5311 which is a course focused on technology I really want to do my own inquiry on the use of technology in the classroom.  After really thinking about it I decided that a good action research would be, Can iPads increase learning/test scores?  Our district picked our school to pilot an iPad program called iAchieve.  This program is focused on science and iPads in the classroom.  Since I am a self-contained teacher I want to know how can iPads help all subjects in the classroom.

Another idea that I had while reading is how can we reach out to parents to be involved with their child's school.  I first was thinking about twitter and how it is an easy and fast way of relating information to students and parents.  I also was thinking how would things change if every teacher at my campus started their own blog.  Those would really be some inquiries that may help teachers and parents have better communication and get parents a little more involved.