1. Justin Allegra EDU 671 – Fundamentals of Educational Research Dr. Newton Miller Ashford University March 12, 2016 Action Research Proposal Final Project

2. Area of Focus Achievement in mathematics through real-life problems

3. Explanation of Problem struggle relating to word problems. have a lack of understanding of math terminology. struggle finding the relevant information in word problem

4. Defining the Variables 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade middle school math students Ages of these students 11 – 14 years old 10 total students in class 8 Male Students 2 Female Students 2 Instructional Aides 1 Personal Care Assistant

5. Research Questions What will happen with a students: level of understanding if sections of lessons are summed up with a “real-life” problem? understanding of mathematics when they are asked to write in math journals at the conclusion of a concept? teaching when I focus my lessons more around real-life examples and incorporate more of my students’ thoughts into my lessons?

6. Prior Intervention Use of small groups Use of Visuals One on One Instruction

7. Data Collection Qualitative Data Student Journals Interviews Observations Quantitative Data Pre and Post Test Likert Scale Survey

8. Data Considerations/ Ethics Confidential Information NO!! Names Personal Information Data gathered individually Signed Consent Forms Coding and Categorizing After completion data will be shredded.

9. Data analysis and Interpretation Real life vs. Traditional problems Interest level of students Feelings about real-life math word problems.

10. Literature Review Leh, J. M., & Jitendra, A. K. (2013). Effects of Computer-Mediated Versus Teacher-Mediated Instruction on the Mathematical Word Problem-Solving Performance of Third-Grade Students With Mathematical Difficulties. * Academic Journal * Focuses on instruction and teaching for at risk students in math * Use as reference point to assess instruction Zhang, D., & Xin, Y. P. (2012). A Follow-Up Meta-analysis for Word Problem-Solving Interventions for Students with Mathematics Difficulties. Journal Of Educational Research, 105(5), 303-318. doi:10.1080/00220671.2011.627397 * Academic Journal *Documented research on teaching mathematical word problems and success in instruction * Will be used to compare instruction design

11. Action Plan (Cont.) Week 1 Introduction Research Pre-test Groups Week 2 Group 1 Section 1-2 Group 2 Section 3-4 Group 3 Section 5-6 Interviews

12. Action Plan (Cont.) Week 3 Group 1 Section 3-4 Group 2 Section 5-6 Group 3 Section 1-2 Week 4 Group 1 Section5-6 Group 2 Section 1-2 Group 3 Section 3-4 Interviews

13. Action Plan (Cont.) Week 5 Math Journal Likert Scale Survey Week 6 Problem Solving Post Test Interview

14. Interview Questions Student Interview QuestionsStudent Responses 1. How much time on average do you spend on homework assignments? 2. What do you think is the purpose of math homework? 3. What does it look like when you justify your answers on a homework assignment? 4. What are the benefits of justifying your answers on your homework assignments, if any? 5. How successful do you feel about using Math skills in and out of class? Give an example of how you use Math outside of class. 6. What do you think about when your teacher asks questions during Math class? 7. How confident do you feel in using Math skills in and out of class? Explain. 8. What do you like best about Math? What do you like least about Math? 9. What makes math easy or difficult for you? 10. When working a word problem, do you think you know the meaning of most of the vocabulary words in each problem? Please give some examples.

15. Data Collection Research Questions Data Collection Tool Why this tool? Justify its use in your study. How does it match to what you are attempting to find and to measure? 1. How do students feel after reading real-life word math problems? 1 Likert Scale 2 Survey 3 Attitude Scale This data collection method will show how the students’ mind-set is when reading real-life word problems opposed to textbook generated word problems. It will also show how each student could relate to the word problem. 2. Will the interest level of the students increase through offering their suggestions of applications to real life? Teacher HelpCase Study Interviews Whole Class This data collection method will show if using real- life situations boost the students’ interest level by having each students make suggestions/modifications to the problems. 3. Will having students read math journals enhance students learning? Digital based JournalsBlogChecklist This data collection method will determine if student’s feel that by reading math journals enhance the learning in mathematics. This will also show how each students can navigate electronically and give feedback about journals.

16. References Leh, J. M., & Jitendra, A. K. (2013). Effects of Computer-Mediated Versus Teacher-Mediated Instruction on the Mathematical Word Problem-Solving Performance of Third-Grade Students With Mathematical Difficulties. Learning Disability Quarterly, 36(2), 68-79. doi:10.1177/0731948712461447 Miller, M. (2015). The Do's and Dont's of Teaching Problem Solving in Math. Retrieved from Homeschoolmath.net: http://www.homeschoolmath.net/teaching/problem_solving.php Mills, G. E. (2014). Action research: A guide for the teacher researcher (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Zhang, D., & Xin, Y. P. (2012). A Follow-Up Meta-analysis for Word- Problem-Solving Interventions for Students with Mathematics Difficulties. Journal Of Educational Research, 105(5), 303-318. doi:10.1080/00220671.2011.627397