Flipped classroom model for college algebra, The: effects on student achievement

2014 Summer.In the past few years there has been a substantial rise in the use and interest in a teaching and learning paradigm most commonly known as the flipped classroom. The flipped classroom model encompasses any use of using Internet technology to leverage the learning in a classroom, so that a teacher can spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing. This is most commonly done by using teacher created videos that students view outside of class time. It is called the flipped class model because the whole classroom/homework paradigm is "flipped". In its simplest terms, what used to be classwork (the lecture) is done at home via teacher-created videos and what used to be homework (assigned problems) is now done in class. Five sections of college algebra where taught using the flipped classroom model. Six sections of college algebra where taught using the traditional method of lecture and homework. This quasi-experimental quantitative research compares sections of college algebra using the flipped classroom methods and the traditional lecture/homework structure and its effect on student achievement as measured through common assessments. In the traditional sections, students spent class time receiving lecture and reviewing homework and exams. Outside class time was spent on traditional homework. In the flipped sections, students viewed short video lectures and submitted basic homework solutions online outside of class time. Students then completed their homework assignments in class with the instructor. Some flipped section instructors also used collaborative group work, inquiry-based learning, and active whole-class discussions. All sections took common assessments for their final exam and completed a pre/post algebra readiness exam. The exam data from the sections were analyzed and compared using regression and ANOVA methods with instructional method, gender, and ACT mathematics scores as independent variables. Final exam scores and pre/post algebra readiness exam scores were the dependent variables. The findings of this research show that there was not a statistically significant difference in the scores of student in the two groups, however students in the flipped sections did score slightly better than student in the traditional sections. Instructors of flipped sections who had previous classroom experience with inquiry-based and cooperative learning methods had sections with statistically significant higher common final exam scores. The results are followed by implications for teaching and recommendations for practice and further research

Proceedings of the 1st Annual Higher Education Flipped Learning Conference

Click the title or the Download button to view/download the proceedings as a PDF

Exploring Student Perseverance in Problem Solving

ABSTRACT Many high school Geometry students lack the perseverance required to complete complex and time-consuming problems. This project tests the hypothesis that if students were provided with a means of organizing their problem solving work they will be less apt to quit when faced with complex and time-consuming mathematical problems. This study involved students enrolled in 10th grade Geometry and 10th grade Honors Geometry in two similar high schools. After trying unsuccessfully to implement methods adapted from an engineering workshop, I designed a graphic organizer that was simple to use and acceptable to the students. Ultimately, I did not detect a direct effect on perseverance, but the graphic organizer appeared to increase student communications about problem solving and aided the teacher in quickly diagnosing student problem-solving progress. Thus, it did help to create classroom conditions conducive to student engagement

Supporting novice mathematics teacher educators teaching elementary mathematics content courses for the first time

In order to be effectively prepared by a teacher education program, prospective elementary teachers (PTs) need to experience high quality mathematics instruction in their mathematics content courses. The instructors of these courses typically consist of individuals (mathematicians and mathematics educators) with ranging experiences, from tenured faculty members to first-year assistant professors or graduate students. This paper explores how to support novice mathematics teacher educators (MTEs) who are teaching elementary content coursework for PTs for the first time. We detail and describe how to implement three systems for supporting novice MTEs: working with a mentor, being provided with educative curriculum materials, and working in a collaborative teaching environment. We close by discussing specific challenges associated with these supports, and call for more institutions to share how they have successfully implemented systems to support novice MTEs

A Phenomenological Exploration of Secondary Teachers\u27 Perceptions of the Flipped Classroom Model

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to describe secondary teachers’ experiences implementing a secondary flipped classroom model (FCM) in the United States. A FCM is a framework wherein students work at their own pace and use in-class time for active learning activities. The following questions were researched: (a) How do secondary FCM teachers describe their lived experiences from implementing the FCM? (b) What benefits, if any, do secondary teachers describe from implementing the FCM? (c) What challenges, if any, do secondary teachers describe from implementing the FCM? (d) What necessary resources do teachers perceive important for successful implementation of the FCM? The theory guiding this study was the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, which helps uncover the processes involved with the spread of an innovation or idea in a specific social system. DOI aids in the analysis of technology acceptance and adoption patterns of teachers. Data collection included questionnaires, interviews, and virtual focus groups from 12 participants, selected because they successfully used the FCM for at least one year and collaborate via social media regarding their experiences. Data were collected and analysis included organizing, synthesizing, reduction, and enumeration to develop themes. In-depth explorations of the participants’ perceptions of the FCM provided rich descriptions and to answer the four research questions, five themes were identified: changes to planning and preparation, best practices, resources and tools, benefits of implementation, and gaining buy-in. Overall, although participants stated they experienced challenging situations with implementing the FCM, the benefits outweighed the challenges

A Study on The Positives and Negatives of Using Technology In The Classroom

As the growth of technology application in the classroom continues to grow, educators and researchers speculate as to how effective the use of assistive technology, and educational technology aids are. Over time, several researchers have done studies, and conducted observations on technological aids and devices being used in the classroom. Some results were measurable, and others observable, but mixed results were found. This study explores the different research conducted on the subject, and several of the factors that contribute to the use of, and success of technology in the classroom. Of the research examined, most of the responses were positive, supporting the idea that incorporating technology into the classroom is beneficial for both the students and the teachers. However, with the concerns expressed by teachers, the success of technology in school settings is dependent on the self-efficacy and professional development, or training, that the teachers receive. Using a) changes made to the Federal and state government policy on education, b) examples of implementation of technology in the classroom, both positive, negative and questionable, c) the use of technology with diverse groups of students, d) the perceptions of students, teachers/school staff, and parents, and e) research on the self-efficacy and professional development and technology training of teachers, this study concluded that the use of technological devices, programs and aids in the classroom should improve students’ assessment performance, level of engagement, and academic success. However, these results depend directly on the self-efficacy, and continuous training of classroom teachers

Exploring Students’ Metacognitive Knowledge: The Case of Integral Calculus

publishedVersio