Here's the link to my finalized presentation of my action research plan:
http://prezi.com/bwmm86a0qr0f/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
It's hard to believe we have finished our third class already! I hope everyone has a great break and just want you all to know I love working with you and I am learning so much from each of you.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteYour presentation thoroughly explains your research project. I like that you included a good amount of background information on stoichiometry, and the diagram you included in that section (if you will) was well-chosen. Your project is interesting and certainly applicable to any chemistry classroom! I see that your data is theoretical; if you were to implement this in action research project in your future classroom, do you think you would change anything about it to accommodate for "real" students?
I really liked your presentation. I liked the idea of using real world problems to help students learn stoichiometry. I think it's definitely helpful for those students who cannot grasp the concept. I really liked your other research questions, however, I think it's a shame that you couldn't perform this experiment in your classroom. One suggestion I do have for future presentations is to not include paragraphs. You included really great information, but it was hard to stay focused because I was reading paragraphs. Overall, I think you did a great job on your presentation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Allison about about the action research concept you chose. The 'real world' problems you've applied to stoichiometry seemed more along the lines of teaching using analogies, which I think is a very powerful tool for assisting students' understanding in difficult and less concretely tangible concepts. I like the design of your research, too. My suggestions might be to consider pulling additional 'stakeholders' such as math teachers in to the process, as they might be able to reinforce your approach in problem solving exercises they teach. Also, for teaching this particularly concept some hands-on experiments or demonstrations exhibiting conservation of matter can help students grasp the idea behind stoichiometry. With my 8th graders, we do a closed system experiment where they put a measure of baking soda and a measure of vinegar separated in a small cup placed in a ziploc bag and sealed. Determine the mass of the total reactants and material. Shake the bag and observe the reaction. Then determine the mass (which remains the same) after the reaction.
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job of incorporating some of Bobby's suggestions into your final presentation. You added ideas for further research and you added the actual test that you would have given to the students. Great work.
I like that you mention you could repeat the testing on several different classes over time to compare the results between classes and make them better. You even talk about how you could add an extra lesson on learning stoichiometry so that your test group could get more practice. As teachers, we are always looking for ways to improve our instruction. It is great that you are thinking this way in the midst of your research project and keeping your focus on the most important thing - student learning! Great job!