Action Research Plan

Improving Student Reflection and Documentation Through PLPs

Abstract:

 I will research how student reflection on goal setting improves with the use of structured digital tools and intentional instruction around evidence collection and reflection.  Students will use personal blogs to record content and transferable skills goals, collect specific evidence on their goals, and reflect thoughtfully upon their learning progress.  Students will collaborate with each other through their blogs and the commenting process as well as share work with a wider school and family audience. Student data will be collected using a variety of means to allow for a broader range of student expression and ensure access to the work for all students. Instruments will include student surveys, individual student interviews, and student work analysis.

Introduction and Rationale:

At last year's MGI I created an action research project around goal setting and reflection where I investigated how direct instruction on goal setting improved students' abilities to perform those skills. After reflecting upon the school year and my work on this project, I found that student goal setting skills, and their ability to write using the SMART outline, improved noticeably. What did not get addressed as planned was student reflection and metacognition. This realization has led me to this action research project where I will investigate how direction instruction in reflection and evidence collection improves students' abilities to perform those tasks.

With recent legislation requiring that students demonstrate proficiency in being self directed learners, student reflection is at the forefront of teachers' minds. According to the Performance Indicators, students must be able to, "Identify, manage and assess new opportunities related to learning goals." Student must be able to, "Demonstrate initiative and responsibility for learning." This is the driving force behind why I chose to take on this project. I also feel that with the goal setting work I did with my multi age class last year, one half of my class will be practiced in this area, ready to move into reflection, and be able to mentor and teach my incoming students. Our school has done a great deal of work around teaching the essential concept of having a Growth Mindset. We employed the phrase "not yet!" as a way of changing our thinking about perceived failure and motivating ourselves to persevere. The time is right for moving into quality reflection through writing, speaking and documenting work evidence on those goals.