Thanks to the people who stopped by my Masters poster today to discuss their interest in classroom design! I am very psyched to bring more ideas to this year's set up! Let me know if you have any great ideas :)
Friday, 13 July 2012
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Ideas are brewing
Hello!
I haven't blogged here in a while because I've been putting the finishing touches on my Masters course. In 25 days I will be officially done!
What I plan to do is update my progress in late August of how I am going to transform my room! I have grand plans and I'm going to share them right here :)
Throughout the year I'll update you on the progress of the transformation and take pictures of how the room evolves.
So stay tuned!
I haven't blogged here in a while because I've been putting the finishing touches on my Masters course. In 25 days I will be officially done!
What I plan to do is update my progress in late August of how I am going to transform my room! I have grand plans and I'm going to share them right here :)
Throughout the year I'll update you on the progress of the transformation and take pictures of how the room evolves.
So stay tuned!
Friday, 18 May 2012
Hypothesis debunked
Well, after doing all my data analysis I have come to a statistically significant conclusion! Teacher chosen work space for students significantly increases on-task behaviour in students over student chosen work space. I really hoped it would be the opposite but at least in my research study with grade 4/5 students this was NOT the case.
I also found that two types of off-task behaviour were shown to be effected by student choice in a significant way: behaviour issues (students poking each other, saying inappropriate things, generally becoming a problem) and students being distracted by others. These two off task behaviours showed up more in the student chosen seating and were tested by to significant with only a 2% and 3% chance of being due to chance! So there are my first findings. I am now writing it all up and deciding how I want to use this in my classroom set up for the fall.
I think I will still have tables, risers, carpet etc, but now that I know the off task behaviours that result from more choice at this grade level I'll be watching and perhaps creating a different way of offering choice. I am next going to look at whether some students had no difference at all between types.
Overall, doing this research was so much fun! I'd set up another study anytime. If you want a copy of my research I can make you one after July 2012. Also you can see my research poster at the SFU Summer Institute July 12-14 at the Surrey BC Campus. I encourage people to retry my research on older and younger kids! I'd love to see your findings.
For a copy of my paper please leave an email I can send it to in August.
I also found that two types of off-task behaviour were shown to be effected by student choice in a significant way: behaviour issues (students poking each other, saying inappropriate things, generally becoming a problem) and students being distracted by others. These two off task behaviours showed up more in the student chosen seating and were tested by to significant with only a 2% and 3% chance of being due to chance! So there are my first findings. I am now writing it all up and deciding how I want to use this in my classroom set up for the fall.
I think I will still have tables, risers, carpet etc, but now that I know the off task behaviours that result from more choice at this grade level I'll be watching and perhaps creating a different way of offering choice. I am next going to look at whether some students had no difference at all between types.
Overall, doing this research was so much fun! I'd set up another study anytime. If you want a copy of my research I can make you one after July 2012. Also you can see my research poster at the SFU Summer Institute July 12-14 at the Surrey BC Campus. I encourage people to retry my research on older and younger kids! I'd love to see your findings.
For a copy of my paper please leave an email I can send it to in August.
Friday, 13 April 2012
Socio-Cultural perceptions of Classroom Environments
So today I read a very interesting research paper. I was drawn to it because it dealt with student perceptions of their classroom environment. However, it was less about the physical layout of the classroom and more about teacher interaction, distractions etc. It was about how they felt they belonged in their class and how it impacted their learning. The study focussed on schools in Australia and Taiwan. Here are some ideas I gleaned from it:
Australia models of teaching are very similar to Canada. Teachers try to make the curriculum dynamic and teach for discussion and in small groups. They feel that engaging learners in their learning is what is best. While in Taiwan teachers felt the teacher directed model was best. Since students both perceived their learning environments as good, why was this? Apparently you can look to culture for that answer.
In Taiwan their curriculum is exam driven. It is culturally accepted to have teachers who stand at the front and teach to the kids. They see this as good learning. Teachers are compared by the test scores their students receive. However, in Taiwan the students LIKE this method of learning and they also are less behaviourally disruptive. This is because there is NO TIME to stop and delve deeper into subjects, you have to learn them fast and there is not time for fooling around.
Australian teachers had more disruptive behaviours and students who felt that the teachers could teach better. Taiwan students were mostly happy with their teachers jobs and had little complaint. Teachers are highly respected in Taiwan. The pressure on teachers in Taiwan comes from their inability to stray from the curriculum and the demands of the exams. The people of Taiwan want their children to succeed and get into good schools.
In Australia the pressure on teachers comes from having to teach academics PLUS social emotional behaviour (which Taiwan does not teach). Teacher feel they could do a better job if they had TIME to plan but they don't because of all the add-ons they are expected to do in their jobs.
Both sets of students and teachers liked the way their systems ran and for their cultures they worked.
This got me thinking.
Have we come added too much to our Western style of schooling. Teachers are overwhelmed. Australian teachers felt that they couldn't always get through a lesson because of disruptive behaviour. This occurs very frequently in Western schooling. We spend a lot of time on behaviour and less and less on learning. Children with behaviours often disrupt those who are trying to learn. This frustrates me. When did I become the counselor??? When did I become the one who teaches children manners, respect..etc. Shouldn't that be the parents?
I found a lot to like with Taiwan's model. The classrooms were quiet, children did not feel peer pressured to answer questions, students were asked randomly by number and if they got it wrong they simply got it wrong. There was not cushion added in to protest the self-esteem. The students also didn't expect one, because it's culturally okay to be wrong, it means you are learning.
Now, I don't like that they have exams and the pressure is high. I like to be able to learn a subject with fun hands on activities and choice. But are we too soft on kids now a days???
I also learned tonight that some Finnish schools (switching gears) have this awesome hour every day where the kids choose what they want to pursue. ALL the teachers in the school teach what they are passionate about and the kids can choose from any of them! I for one would be doing Musical Theatre.
Australia models of teaching are very similar to Canada. Teachers try to make the curriculum dynamic and teach for discussion and in small groups. They feel that engaging learners in their learning is what is best. While in Taiwan teachers felt the teacher directed model was best. Since students both perceived their learning environments as good, why was this? Apparently you can look to culture for that answer.
In Taiwan their curriculum is exam driven. It is culturally accepted to have teachers who stand at the front and teach to the kids. They see this as good learning. Teachers are compared by the test scores their students receive. However, in Taiwan the students LIKE this method of learning and they also are less behaviourally disruptive. This is because there is NO TIME to stop and delve deeper into subjects, you have to learn them fast and there is not time for fooling around.
School in Taiwan
Australian teachers had more disruptive behaviours and students who felt that the teachers could teach better. Taiwan students were mostly happy with their teachers jobs and had little complaint. Teachers are highly respected in Taiwan. The pressure on teachers in Taiwan comes from their inability to stray from the curriculum and the demands of the exams. The people of Taiwan want their children to succeed and get into good schools.
Australian School
In Australia the pressure on teachers comes from having to teach academics PLUS social emotional behaviour (which Taiwan does not teach). Teacher feel they could do a better job if they had TIME to plan but they don't because of all the add-ons they are expected to do in their jobs.
Both sets of students and teachers liked the way their systems ran and for their cultures they worked.
This got me thinking.
Have we come added too much to our Western style of schooling. Teachers are overwhelmed. Australian teachers felt that they couldn't always get through a lesson because of disruptive behaviour. This occurs very frequently in Western schooling. We spend a lot of time on behaviour and less and less on learning. Children with behaviours often disrupt those who are trying to learn. This frustrates me. When did I become the counselor??? When did I become the one who teaches children manners, respect..etc. Shouldn't that be the parents?
I found a lot to like with Taiwan's model. The classrooms were quiet, children did not feel peer pressured to answer questions, students were asked randomly by number and if they got it wrong they simply got it wrong. There was not cushion added in to protest the self-esteem. The students also didn't expect one, because it's culturally okay to be wrong, it means you are learning.
Now, I don't like that they have exams and the pressure is high. I like to be able to learn a subject with fun hands on activities and choice. But are we too soft on kids now a days???
I also learned tonight that some Finnish schools (switching gears) have this awesome hour every day where the kids choose what they want to pursue. ALL the teachers in the school teach what they are passionate about and the kids can choose from any of them! I for one would be doing Musical Theatre.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Collecting Data
Hello! I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I wanted to let you know that I'm currently collecting 5 weeks of data on student on-task and off-task behaviour. I'm finding more out then my research needs to cover but I will be adding that in.
Also I have a request in for 2 sets of flipform risers for my classroom! I'm awaiting info on that. AND the kids requested bean bag chairs. These are NOT cheap so I may not get any. I can't seen having 2 or 3 and 28 kids fighting over them. Ouch.
Also I have a request in for 2 sets of flipform risers for my classroom! I'm awaiting info on that. AND the kids requested bean bag chairs. These are NOT cheap so I may not get any. I can't seen having 2 or 3 and 28 kids fighting over them. Ouch.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Data for Pilot
Today I entered in the data for the STUDENT CHOICE portion of my pilot. Right away I saw some interesting results. The average on-task score of the students was 13/20 minutes. Not bad, not bad. I had a large result for Talking (off-task) and Being Distracted by Others (off-task). Now we will have to see if my TEACHER CHOICE data shows any differences! So exciting. As you also know I will be collecting a fresh batch of data all of April in person because I found the video taping too difficult to work with. I can't WAIT to see if this effects my data or not.
Also I'm looking at some changes in my classroom for September. I'm thinking of taking the 8 trapezoid tables and splitting them so they can go around the outside of the room. I want to open up the middle of the room for a giant carpet area. The kids have requested Bean Bag chairs. Not too sure if I will give in to this request but I'm interested in trying it. I have had ball chairs before but storing them is a HUGE nightmare. I have a very small space! I am considering purchasing flip form risers to go around the carpet area and also for use when I have my projector up and running. I do want my projector mounted on the ceiling! That would solve so many space issues.
I was delighted that one of my parents has hooked me up on Twitter was some more fabulous thinkers!!! Teachers who are looking into changing their work space and experimenting. I can tell you it's been great. If you read back through my blog it will detail for you what has worked and what has not. Next year I go from 20 kids to 28...so my creative juices are flowing! I did have the kids draw me layouts because I told them, we have to fit 28 kids in here! How can we do that? And no I refuse to bring back desks. But I can tell you only 2 of my 20 even want desks back. They have tubs for storage (that I bought) and my ikea shelves are a dream!
I'm currently on Ed Leave as of tomorrow!! So I hope to be blogging more and getting more of my data completed.
You can find me on twitter at @sdaviss12
Also I'm looking at some changes in my classroom for September. I'm thinking of taking the 8 trapezoid tables and splitting them so they can go around the outside of the room. I want to open up the middle of the room for a giant carpet area. The kids have requested Bean Bag chairs. Not too sure if I will give in to this request but I'm interested in trying it. I have had ball chairs before but storing them is a HUGE nightmare. I have a very small space! I am considering purchasing flip form risers to go around the carpet area and also for use when I have my projector up and running. I do want my projector mounted on the ceiling! That would solve so many space issues.
I was delighted that one of my parents has hooked me up on Twitter was some more fabulous thinkers!!! Teachers who are looking into changing their work space and experimenting. I can tell you it's been great. If you read back through my blog it will detail for you what has worked and what has not. Next year I go from 20 kids to 28...so my creative juices are flowing! I did have the kids draw me layouts because I told them, we have to fit 28 kids in here! How can we do that? And no I refuse to bring back desks. But I can tell you only 2 of my 20 even want desks back. They have tubs for storage (that I bought) and my ikea shelves are a dream!
I'm currently on Ed Leave as of tomorrow!! So I hope to be blogging more and getting more of my data completed.
You can find me on twitter at @sdaviss12
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Problems with my Pilot
I've been working on my pilot project for my masters research and have realized something.
Video taping students and then trying to figure out what they are doing at their work station is almost IMPOSSIBLE. Although I have repositioned my cameras to take 2 tables only for 20 minutes and then switch to the other 2 tables this has not helped the problem.
I have also discovered that when children are off screen I can't tell whether it is on-task or off. So it messes up my data.
New plan: I'm going to go back into the classroom and record the data first hand so that I don't have to rely on video cameras. This will alter my research a little because now I will have another teacher in the room and myself watching students. Will this make them act differently? Perhaps however, they will react in that way through 8 viewings so this should not effect my data in the end.
To recap, I am studying if students who choose their work space stay more on-task than students who are told where to sit during work time.
I am also NOW on ed leave! So this will allow me to work full time on my masters.
Video taping students and then trying to figure out what they are doing at their work station is almost IMPOSSIBLE. Although I have repositioned my cameras to take 2 tables only for 20 minutes and then switch to the other 2 tables this has not helped the problem.
I have also discovered that when children are off screen I can't tell whether it is on-task or off. So it messes up my data.
New plan: I'm going to go back into the classroom and record the data first hand so that I don't have to rely on video cameras. This will alter my research a little because now I will have another teacher in the room and myself watching students. Will this make them act differently? Perhaps however, they will react in that way through 8 viewings so this should not effect my data in the end.
To recap, I am studying if students who choose their work space stay more on-task than students who are told where to sit during work time.
I am also NOW on ed leave! So this will allow me to work full time on my masters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)