Alyson Kieffer EDU: 501 Teacher as Researcher by Alyson Kieffer

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-07 15:20:45 UTC

Potential Topic:
How to make my students more independent thinkers.

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-07 15:22:30 UTC

As special education students they received accommodations such as tests being read aloud to them in a small group. They then ask a lot of questions and want to be walked through each problem step by step instead of taking the time and energy to think though problems on their own.

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-07 15:25:08 UTC

I want to teach them strategies, techniques, and skills they can use to be independent thinkers now and in the future.

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-07 15:26:21 UTC

Use STAR intervention period:

- practice problems independently and explain to others to build confidence

- self-assessing to check over work

- do whole test together and give clues where necessary

- slowly work students toward independent thinking by modeling and cutting back support

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-12 17:03:57 UTC

Three major findings from journal articles:

1. Self-directed learning

2. Collaborative learning with peers

3. Role of the teacher in self-directed and collaborate learning with peers

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-12 17:05:23 UTC

Other helpful information:

- Creating safe classrooms

- Student focused instead of teacher focuses

- IEP accommodation disabling students more than enabling them

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-12 17:07:37 UTC

Self-Directed Learning

- Project-based learning

- Problem-based learning

- Open-ended problems

- Engaging questions

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-12 17:10:09 UTC

Collaborate Learning with Peers

- Pairing higher and lowers performing students

- Peer-led team learning

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-12 17:11:41 UTC

Role of the Teacher

- Constructivist point of view

- Movement from strong teacher guidance toward student independence- various steps in the process

- Strategy instruction

- Teacher as a guide

- Promoting structured student groups

- Adapting instructional strategies based on student learning differences

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-12 17:17:51 UTC

Possible issues:

- I would use my STAR intervention period to teach strategies, techniques, and skills toward more independent thinking, but only half of my special education students have that period at a time. That means only half of my students would be receiving that teaching.

- Still figuring out valid data collection

- Overcoming enabling that might be taking place at home

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-12 17:22:11 UTC

I'm worried that trying to make my students into independent thinkers is going to be more difficult than my plans can handle.

Alyson Kieffer

kiefferam — 2014-01-23 12:53:52 UTC

Literature Review