This action research project has definitely
taking me on a journey. I have done
background research on how technology increases engagement and student achievement,
completed surveys from stakeholders including student perceptions about
learning with and without technology, as well as collaborated with teachers and
administration about low engagement and achievement. While doing my background research, I knew I first had to find information on
what student engagement looks like. According
to VanDeWeghe, student engagement is
multidimensional and includes behavioral, cognitive, and emotional aspects.
(p.89). He goes on to describe the three levels of engagements in detail. Students are physically engaged in a lesson
when ther are sitting in theiur seat, looking at the teacher, and working on
the assigned activity. A student is
actively engaged at the cognitive level when they are making an effort to successfully
complete an assigned activity. Emotional
engagement seems to be the hardest level.
Finding ways to get students to complete activities because they are interested
about what they are learning is a challenge and an expectation that I will
promote as a future educational leader.Unfortunately, their have been some minor
set-backs including the grade levels I’m teaching. Also, the iPADs and Smartboards were delayed and I
was unable to implement my plan last year.
Although we have the Smartboards in place, the iPADS will be released to
students next month. This would be an
excellent opportunity to have my new students complete the surveys and compare
this 6 weeks data without technology, to future data for my project. All suggestions or experience with a similar
project are welcomed.
Citation
VanDeWeghe,
Rick. What is engaged learning? English Journal. 95(3), 88-91