Teacher Interventions and Perceptions for Online High School Student Project-Based Learning

An Action Research Study Conducted by Anne RoycroftUniversity of West Georgia

If we wish to prepare ageneration of studentswho can solve real-worldproblems, we must give themreal-world problems to solve.

Buck Institute for Education

• Application of knowledge through higher order thinking skills

• Short, focused projects and longer term in depth research

• Gain, evaluate and present increasingly complex information

• Academic discussion

• Mathematical modeling

Image retrieved from www.learnnc.org

• SS.912.C.2.3 Experience the responsibilities of citizens at the local, state, or federal levels.

• SS.9.12.C.2.5 Conduct a service project to further the public good. • LACC.1112.WHST.2.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed

by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.

• LACC.1112.WHST.2.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.

• LACC.1112.RH.3.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

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• Motivation and Encouragement• Scaffolding• Time Management and Goal Setting• Reflection and Analysis

“Technology is a sleeping giant in the social studies curriculum.” Martorella (1997)

What additional steps, if any, are taken by teachers when implementing an online project-based lesson?

What is the teacher’s perception about the effectiveness of the steps they are taking, if any? What is the online teacher's perception of his/her role in using project-based lessons in an online course?

What additional training is needed to support teachers using project-based lessons in an online classroom?

What additional steps, if any, are taken by teachers when implementing an online project-based lesson? What is the teacher’s perception about the effectiveness of the steps they are taking, if any? What is the online teacher's perception of his/her role in using project-based lessons in an online course? What additional training is needed to support teachers using project-based lessons in an online classroom?

• Suzanne and the team commented that the Service Learning project has been a very positive experience. Student and parent by in and support, coupled with the live sessions hosted by the instructors have made the assignment a success.

• The new collaboration model is successful. Teachers and students have embraced the model and are offering synchronous and asynchronous options to their students. Teachers are using live lessons to work on exam strategies and hard to grasp concepts.

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Teacher Interventions and Perceptions of Effectiveness

Blue- Interventions UsedRed- Perceptions of Most Effective Interventions

11 teachers surveyedrepresenting 569 students50% 4-7 years experience

Strategies and Training Needed• More examples and non-examples, perhaps video format• More regulations about what is acceptable• More choices for projects (1)• Webinars (1)

Teaching Online with Projects• Allows students to become involved and take charge• Community involvement• Less direct instruction• Requires students to do the bulk of the work

(challenging)• Real world• Less resistance if students expect to do it from onset

• Isn’t any different or unique• Challenges for rural students, students without

transportation• Parental resistance• Problems with ideas• Detailed instructions difficult for visual learners

What additional steps, if any, are taken by teachers when implementing an online project-based lesson? Phone Calls and Documents; Some webinars

What is the teacher’s perception about the effectiveness of the steps they are taking, if any?Phone Calls and Documents Work What is the online teacher's perception of his/her role in using project-based lessons in an online course? Regulatory, Informational; Unclear

What additional training is needed to support teachers using project-based lessons in an online classroom?Webinars – 1 teacher Grading and Student Samples

What additional steps, if any, are taken by teachers when implementing an online project-based lesson? What is the teacher’s perception about the effectiveness of the steps they are taking, if any? What is the online teacher's perception of his/her role in using project-based lessons in an online course? What additional training is needed to support teachers using project-based lessons in an online classroom?

• Motivation and Encouragement• Scaffolding• Time Management and Goal

Setting• Reflection and Analysis

Recommendations

• Further inquiry into phone calls– efficiency or relationship building?• Training in PBL• Clarify Expectations• Focus on scaffolding and motivation• Use of web 2.0 and technology tools• Analysis and reflection techniques• Celebrate!