Action Research

1. Title: Parents and an After School Web-Enhanced Program
2. Problem: Many of the fifth grade, low achieving math students are only engaged in learning mathematical skills and strategies while using computer based tutorial programs with limited adult guidance.
3. In order to get students engaged in mathematical skills and strategies, technology needs to be integrated into the classroom. The students will be guided in the classroom and at home, by the teacher and parents to a mathematical challenge segment in a program on the computer, complete the segment, and then utilizew the mathematical tutorial where they practice special skills and strategies.
4. The strategy for this instructional intervention would be homework and practice. Students are given time in the classroom and have assignments at home to work on additional practice of mathematical skills. These students are gaining extra practice in mathematics, by participating in the mathematical tutorials and then practicing the special skills and strategies.
5. Evidence: According to Bempechat(2004), homework assignments provide the time and experience students need to develop study habits that support learning. They experience results of their efforts as well as the ability to cope with mistakes and difficulty. According to Healy (1990), teachers in the United States tend to compress many skills into practice sessions and instructional units. Students learn more when allowed to practice fewer skills or concepts, but at a deeper level. According to Marxano, Pickering, and Pollock (2001), complex processes should be broken down into smaller bits, or skills, which should be taught with time alloted for student practice and adaptation.
6. Data will be collected based on the students scores achieved on their quarterly math grades. This quarterly test is given at the beginning of each nine weeks, which determines students improvement in math skills and use of math strategies.
7. The data was collected, and then shown in a chart. The data concluded that the web-based tutorials provided the tools that were needed to help the students acheive academically. All students involved, showed great interest in learning and practicing new math skills.
8. The results showed that there was an average gain of about 9.2% on the quarterly math tests.