Project Description
Background Information
This project came about, as I wanted to incorporate more coding and 21st century learning opportunities for my students. I believe that coding is important to develop computational thinking, problem solving techniques and perseverance in students. My interest in coding began after participating in some hour of code challenges over the past two years, as well as my participation in professional development opportunities. After a successful year in the TIA project during the 2016-2017 school year, I decided again to participate to get the necessary time with facilitators to plan my action research. I have always been interested in technology integration and have been excited with the learning experiences that coding and robotics could offer my students. I decided to use Scratch web-based coding program and Lego WeDo 2.0 robotics kits to carry out the research.
I have always enjoyed science as a student, and really remember carrying out experiments in class when I was younger. Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education has revised the Science curriculum in elementary. The biggest shift was a change in more inquiry based learning and scientific skill development. I have tried to incorporate experiments in my class, but often felt I was doing a lot of modelling to get my students to come to the "right" conclusions with the experiment. I felt a little frustrated teaching science, and was longing to have my students to become more independent thinkers. Conversely, I found if I gave students a task that was too open ended, they would experience difficulty and become disengaged. I had to think of a way to come up with a balance....a wondering was sparked...
I wonder how I can get my students to think more scientifically?
I wonder if I can get them to think more about the design?
How can I teach them about perseverance?
How can I get them more independent?
How could I achieve a classroom with a gradual release of responsibility?
Funding
I received a $ 2500 NLEF grant and $ 500 from Teachers in Action to purchase the Lego Robotics. The Teaches in Action grant also provided me with a facilitator and 7 sub days to plan and implement my project.
Research Questions
Teacher Questions:
Student Questions:
Ethical Considerations
Parents were provided a consent form for the research and media release from both myself and Teachers in Action facilitator Karen Goodnough.
Population
The population studied included 19 students in Grade 4 French Immersion (9-10 years old). Most students had experience with computers in the home and at school, but were relatively new to coding.
This project came about, as I wanted to incorporate more coding and 21st century learning opportunities for my students. I believe that coding is important to develop computational thinking, problem solving techniques and perseverance in students. My interest in coding began after participating in some hour of code challenges over the past two years, as well as my participation in professional development opportunities. After a successful year in the TIA project during the 2016-2017 school year, I decided again to participate to get the necessary time with facilitators to plan my action research. I have always been interested in technology integration and have been excited with the learning experiences that coding and robotics could offer my students. I decided to use Scratch web-based coding program and Lego WeDo 2.0 robotics kits to carry out the research.
I have always enjoyed science as a student, and really remember carrying out experiments in class when I was younger. Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education has revised the Science curriculum in elementary. The biggest shift was a change in more inquiry based learning and scientific skill development. I have tried to incorporate experiments in my class, but often felt I was doing a lot of modelling to get my students to come to the "right" conclusions with the experiment. I felt a little frustrated teaching science, and was longing to have my students to become more independent thinkers. Conversely, I found if I gave students a task that was too open ended, they would experience difficulty and become disengaged. I had to think of a way to come up with a balance....a wondering was sparked...
I wonder how I can get my students to think more scientifically?
I wonder if I can get them to think more about the design?
How can I teach them about perseverance?
How can I get them more independent?
How could I achieve a classroom with a gradual release of responsibility?
Funding
I received a $ 2500 NLEF grant and $ 500 from Teachers in Action to purchase the Lego Robotics. The Teaches in Action grant also provided me with a facilitator and 7 sub days to plan and implement my project.
Research Questions
Teacher Questions:
- How will using coding as a problem solving resource affect my teaching practice in science?
- Will my role change from a more teacher-centered approach to more of a facilitator role?
- How will my attitude towards scientific learning change as a result of a problem based learning approach?
Student Questions:
- Will using coding challenges enhance student problem solving and inquiry skills during science?
- Will using coding enhance students ability to persevere and collaborate?
- Will student’s perceptions and attitudes towards science change as a result of this initiative?
Ethical Considerations
Parents were provided a consent form for the research and media release from both myself and Teachers in Action facilitator Karen Goodnough.
Population
The population studied included 19 students in Grade 4 French Immersion (9-10 years old). Most students had experience with computers in the home and at school, but were relatively new to coding.