In my action research project, I am investigating
the effectiveness of instruction delivered through project-based learning (PBL)
practices. I will closely investigate
the effect of this instruction on the student achievement of third and fourth graders
compared to a sample group of third and fourth graders not receiving this method
of instruction. In the beginning of August,
I spent 3 days (18 hours) in PBL training presented by the Buck Institute for
Education. Then, on August 17, I spent an
hour with my principal reviewing and refining the proposed action research plan. The search for research on PBL (3 hours) is
not complete but I have made an excellent dent in reviewing and selecting research
articles and dissertations relating to the subject. Another hour of time was spent
collecting permission from all affected parties to complete the research. All were on board and accepted the inclusion
willingly as they too would like to see the effects of PBL. My principal and I are currently in the midst
of selecting the non-PBL group with which we will compare benchmark and state
testing results to the PBL groups. We are
looking for the best way to keep all non-PBL student names from 3rd and
4th grade completely anonymous to me as I do not want the achievement
knowledge of other teacher’s students to affect our working relationship. I also want to be completely blind to who this
group includes so that there is a true measure of the difference or similarity
in student achievement. Once the group
is chosen and final, I will maintain observation throughout the school year of
their benchmark and state testing results and compare them to the results of my
PBL class and the 4th grade PBL class.
