Action Research in English Subject
eTech! eFuture! eHistory! An Action Research Report on Improving Writing Skills
Rod Smith Shane Penrose Kate Whited Sandusky High School Submitted to Dr. Joanne Arhar Action Research in the Classroom
2 eTech! eFuture! eHistory! An Action Research Report on Improving Writing Skills Abstract Our research question was “How can we use blended technology with an interactive whiteboard, document camera, and distance learning equipment to improve the writing skills and social studies OGT scores of all students?” In our study, we found that providing a writing workshop at the beginning of the school year and using the interactive whiteboard and document camera to project rubrics and then having students grade writing samples of OGT answers provided numerous AH!HA! moments. From that point on, student writing samples showed a marked improvement from the previous year. Pre- and Post-Surveys, teacher journal entries, and critical colleague input showed that student interest and attitude toward social studies and writing improved when we used the interactive whiteboard, document camera, and distance learning equipment. However, the use of the blended technology did not help increase student attendance.
3 What Is Our Research Interest? What is our question? How can we use blended technology with a whiteboard, document camera, and distance learning equipment to improve the writing skills and social studies OGT scores of all students? Why are we interested? The OGT results showed us the deficits in writing skills among our students. We believe all students should be given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. As a team, we wanted to advance students to their greatest levels of potential, seek to encourage them to work hard, be better citizens, and be equipped to face life. Writing skills go beyond social studies and they go far beyond high school. What do we already know? The targeted population was approximately 225 sophomores and juniors enrolled in Social
Rod Smith Shane Penrose Kate Whited Sandusky High School Submitted to Dr. Joanne Arhar Action Research in the Classroom
2 eTech! eFuture! eHistory! An Action Research Report on Improving Writing Skills Abstract Our research question was “How can we use blended technology with an interactive whiteboard, document camera, and distance learning equipment to improve the writing skills and social studies OGT scores of all students?” In our study, we found that providing a writing workshop at the beginning of the school year and using the interactive whiteboard and document camera to project rubrics and then having students grade writing samples of OGT answers provided numerous AH!HA! moments. From that point on, student writing samples showed a marked improvement from the previous year. Pre- and Post-Surveys, teacher journal entries, and critical colleague input showed that student interest and attitude toward social studies and writing improved when we used the interactive whiteboard, document camera, and distance learning equipment. However, the use of the blended technology did not help increase student attendance.
3 What Is Our Research Interest? What is our question? How can we use blended technology with a whiteboard, document camera, and distance learning equipment to improve the writing skills and social studies OGT scores of all students? Why are we interested? The OGT results showed us the deficits in writing skills among our students. We believe all students should be given the opportunity to achieve their full potential. As a team, we wanted to advance students to their greatest levels of potential, seek to encourage them to work hard, be better citizens, and be equipped to face life. Writing skills go beyond social studies and they go far beyond high school. What do we already know? The targeted population was approximately 225 sophomores and juniors enrolled in Social