EDLD 5301
David R. Holmes
ET 8014
Action Research Plan
Research Question: What are the differences in academic performance between students in a traditional classroom setting and students in an alternative, self-paced, online learning environment?
Goal: To provide evidence that online learning can be as effective or even more effective than the traditional classroom setting.
Activities | Research / Research Tools | Timeline | Person(s) Responsible | Process for Monitoring | Assessment Instrument |
Identify students for use in this study Give initial benchmark tests to selected students for Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA | District student information system (Skyward) Interviews with high school principals and teachers Previous years TAKS results for all subjects available | August – September 2010 | David R. Holmes | Carefully select students with similar academic and socioeconomic backgrounds from both the regular and alternative campuses. Ensure that students are taking similar junior level courses, but allow for multiple teachers teaching the same subject if necessary. Produce a preliminary list and share it with colleagues, including teachers, principals, and counselors, for them to check over it | Benchmark tests based on recent released TAKS tests |
Align online curriculum to what is being taught in the traditional classroom | Syllabi from classroom teachers Discussion with department chairs to verify completeness of the online curriculum | September 2010 | David R. Holmes Rhonda Harrison Jana Sands Michael Watson | Check online curriculum against the TEKS to make sure that all tested concepts are being taught online as well as in class Customize online courses as needed to ensure TEKS alignment | |
Follow up with teachers to check the progress of students throughout the year | Email to teachers Progress reports Check grades on Skyward | September – April 2010 | David R. Holmes | Send evaluation forms to teachers for each student being studied Frequent reminders to ensure adequate and timely feedback | Progress reports/Report cards Discipline records District assigned benchmark tests |
Provide students from both groups access to the same pre-TAKS review sessions Give TAKS test | April – May 2010 | David R. Holmes High school teachers | Make sure records are kept of who attends review sessions Exclude any potential retesters from the study | Exit TAKS and/or EOC | |
Conclude study Compare yearly academic results of students from the traditional high school and the alternative high school | Spring TAKS results Skyward | May – June 2010 | David R. Holmes Michael Watson | Check for any inconsistencies between the comparison groups that may have appeared throughout the school year | Exit TAKS and/or EOC End of year grades End of year discipline records |