My driving question has been evolving for months the more I learn, the more I observe, and the more data I collect the more I realize there is no one question that we can ask there are many layers to our student and their learning styles. We must first get to know our student by asking them questions creating an "End User" survey. We can't make assumptions about them and their learning we need to really ask them.Once we really get to know our students and their needs then we proceed with our research continually making modification for students needs as we progress.
The audience for my research is math teachers and decision makers ! We need to take a serious look at the reason why students are not passing Math 1 but even more why do we put them in the same exact class the next year expecting them to do better. I wondered how student would do if we offered them a new and innovative way to learn math if would they experience more success. Many students entering my Math class at Valley Oak High School have failed 3 to 4 semester of Math 1 before the enter my class. This is an equity issue since Algebra 1/Math 1 is considered a gateway to higher level math and science classes. So I believe this is a real conversation that we need be having. I am aware that often we need some data to illustrate the reason to consider this change. My driving question "What is it about coding that supports struggling students in experiencing success in Math 1 ? " My results are positive students are experiencing success and they are also learning a valuable skill in today's world which is coding. Beyond coding these students are learning the skills of collaboration, problem solving, attention to detail, and perseverance. Just this week I gave the MI test and as I looked through the list of all of our math students I realized that all of our students at Valley Oak are below basic. I do think we have many students with higher skills than that but often they do not try since they see no value to them personally if they do well. But I also embrace the challenge of trying to raise their scores but there are also question I wonder which are how can we motivate students to care, is this the best measure of their skill level, and what other measures should we consider. I hope my research will help I am tracking student growth on the MI, assignment completion , comparing coding vs. traditional assignments, rate of students passing the class, as well as students comments and feedback. Coding seems to level the playing field allowing all students to be on the same level learning and collaborating. Besides learning Math 1 these students are also learning how to code both of these skill can provide opportunities for higher level learning. I am excited to continue to develop my pedagogy and coding skills to continue to create positive change and positive data to spark a movement for our students repeating Math 1.
1 Comment
Rafael Garcia Avila
5/28/2019 12:02:14 am
Julie,
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Julie LovieJulie Lovie Is a Math and Science teacher at Valley Oak High School with 25 years experience in teaching at a continuation high school. Julie Also teaches at Napa valley Adult School in the High School Diploma Program. She is passionate about the environment, loves gardening, and learning. Archives
June 2019
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