Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Using menus as a differentiation technique in small multilevel life science and physical science classrooms(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Martin, Diane Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughDifferentiating instruction for classes that include a diverse group of learners can be challenging. In this research project, the use of menus as a differentiation method was studied with two classes at a small, rural school. The first class studied was a 7th-8th grade life science class of 11 students, the second was a 9th-grade physical science class of seven students. Each class was taught four separate units. In two of the units, students were given a list-style menu of activities from which they selected a certain number of their choice to demonstrate their mastery of the unit objectives. The other two were taught using a more traditional mixture of mini-lectures, labs, and written activities in which the entire class received the same assignment. Student mastery of unit objectives, student attitudes towards science in general and their class in particular, and the effects of this teaching method on the classroom teacher were investigated using a range of data collection methods including pre- and post-unit assessments, student written surveys, student oral interviews, and a teacher journal. Although no significant overall trends in student content mastery were observed during this research, the performances of some individual students in both classes were affected negatively by this technique, while others showed a slight improvement in mastery during the treatment units. The majority of students liked having the ability to choose activities and be responsible for their own learning. The researcher intends to use a modified form of the menu-style units in the future, perhaps with a more limited scope and shorter time frame.Item Self-paced mastery learning in an academic physical science class and its effect on student achievement, engagement and self-efficacy(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Stone, Amanda Corinne; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisResearch has shown that tiered instruction and self-paced activity progression improves student achievement and motivation. This study examined the use of self-paced mastery learning units in a high school academic physical science class. Following a grid of learning opportunities, students progressed to new learning objectives only after reaching 80% mastery on their current learning objectives. Data was collected to determine the interventions' effect on student achievement, engagement and self-efficacy. Medium to large academic learning gains were reported using the mastery learning interventions. Survey data indicated that students had a more difficult time paying attention while working through units with mastery learning grids, and that class was not as easy after the interventions. Some felt more challenged. Student self-efficacy increased, as they became more confident accessing resources for help. Implications for further research include testing the method at the beginning of the school year, adjusting the incorporation of hands-on activities in the mastery learning format, and using the strategy for a few select concepts as opposed to a full unit.Item The effect of the 5E instructional model on student engagement and transfer of knowledge in a 9th grade environmental science differentiated classroom(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Dodge, Michelle Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughThis action research project evaluates the effectiveness of the 5E instructional model in a 9th grade environmental science classroom to engage students and improve their ability to apply scientific knowledge to new situations. In this study the 5E instructional model was compared with the traditional approach of the direct teach instructional method. Student assessments, surveys, and interviews were used to gauge whether the 5E instructional model aided in student ability to apply knowledge and engage in classroom experiences. Teacher observations, an engagement tally, and teacher journals were also utilized to evaluate teaching effectiveness and student learning. In this study, the role of the teacher in the classroom within these two instructional models was compared. This study indicated a slight advantage of using the 5E instructional model over direct teach, however both methods of instruction can be effective tools in classroom teaching.Item The effects of differentiated instruction on understanding middle school science concepts(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2011) Scardino, Robin M.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.Through daily observation, I realize that my traditional classroom environment does not sufficiently meet the learning needs of the wide variety of students in my classes. For example, as students work through daily laboratory experiments and class work, I consistently sense boredom in my high-achieving students alongside of confusion in my low-achieving students. The goal of this project was to better meet my students' diverse learning needs. This project took place in two sixth-grade general science classes at a large international school in Hong Kong, China. It focused on how implementing differentiated instruction, which is instruction designed with student differences in mind, such as students' background knowledge, instructional level, interests, and learning styles, affected students' understanding of introductory chemistry concepts. Lessons implementing four differentiation methods of scaffolding, alternative learning products, tiered homework assignments, and graphic organizers were compared to traditional lessons where all students completed the same assignments and demonstrated their learning in the same format. Data revealing students' understanding of concepts were collected through pre and postunit assessments, writings, and interviews, which included concept mapping and conceptual questions. Data regarding effects on my own attitude, planning time, and motivation were also collected through writings, surveys, and a time log. The project's results indicated that differentiated instruction did not have a positive effect on my students' overall understanding of concepts or cognitive level of understanding. Neither did the differentiated instruction have a positive effect on the understanding of my high, middle, or low-achieving students. My attitude, planning, and motivation yielded both positive and negative results.Item Differentiating instruction with regard to gender and learning style in a biology class(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2011) Torske, Jeanne Rose; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.In this investigation, daily lessons, assignments, labs, lectures, and assessments were differentiated with regard to both gender and learning style preference to determine the effect on student in-class performance and classroom dynamics. Males and females were shown to prefer different learning modalities and in-class performance varied with the differentiation technique employed. Students who showed an equal preference for more than one learning style consistently out preformed their peers who only preferred one modality. Additionally, a subpopulation of students was identified based on their learning style preferences. Interestingly, these kinesthetic learners skewed the data and a kinesthetic trend was noted. Kinesthetic male learners on individualized education plans (IEPs) were also found to be underserved in the traditional classroom. Female intrapersonal learners and male kinesthetic learners were found to be at odds throughout the study. Overall, this investigation revealed little difference between the genders with regard to classroom dynamics and class appeal. In general, classroom dynamics and class appeal were improved as a result of the differentiation.