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Action Research Plan
Action Research Plan
Brianne Yount
Lamar University
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The topic of my research is based on Blended Learning in the classroom and focuses in
on the use of eportfolios, and then even more focused on Seesaw as an eportfolio. I would like to
know how Seesaw effects the elementary classroom. I would like to know if it has a positive
effect on the math assessments and student knowledge of math content.. I am hoping that the
proven research behind eportfolios deepening learning and critical thinking can apply to this
The purpose of this study is to increase content knowledge through the use of reflections
of student learning, explanation of problems using the different resources that Seesaw gives, and
collaboration with peers on the topic of math content. Reflections are a large piece of eportfolios.
Students need to learn not only how to complete the math task, but to reflect on their thinking
and how they accomplished such problem. Reflection adds to the student’s knowledge of the
content, because they are able to look back on what they did and explain how it was
accomplished. Explaining ones work is a state standard in elementary classes, and it seems to be
one of the hardest things to do for students. Seesaw provides several ways to complete
explanation: drawing, video, text, photo, link to other documents, and more. These variations of
work can help reach several different students’ learn abilities. They will learn how to explain in a
way that best fits them and therefore this reaches more students at their level. Collaboration with
others is another proven way of increasing knowledge on a topic. The Seesaw site allows
students to comment, post, respond to other students work. This will help with agreeing or
disagreeing with others. Another way collaboration could be used with Seesaw is through
working together on a project. These are all ways that Seesaw can increase understanding on a
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math topic. The purpose of using these strategies is to increase knowledge of the content through
reaching all students at their level and meeting their unique learning abilities.
My question is: Does using Seesaw eportfolios in an elementary classroom increase math
assessment scores?
The research design I decided on is quantitative, because the goal of my research plan is
to increase math scores. I want to use numerical data from the assessments to compare the
growth in mathematics that occurs from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. I will
use assessments to collect data on each student. This data will help inform my teaching
throughout the year. It will not just be used to study the difference from beginning to end of year.
It will be reviewed throughout the year and analyzed and students will be grouped according to
their growth so far. The students with less growth will have more explanation from me and how
to best use the eportfolio to fit their needs. I will continually check in and continually make
groups to ensure that the students understand how to use the eportfolio to help them best.
Throughout the year my 2nd grade team conducts 8 module tests. These tests will be used
to collect data on how students are improving throughout the year. Many of our modules build on
previous tests and it will be easy to show growth of students on these exams. (See an example of
a module test Appendix 1) The other assessment I will use is specifically designed to view
student growth throughout the year, and that is NWEA MAP tests. These test show you where
each student stands when it comes to grade level and ability in math. It is given three times a
year and it shows growth from Fall to Winter, Winter to Spring, and Fall to Spring. This test will
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inform me of the growth each student has accomplished throughout the year in math. I will be
able to see if students are making ample growth in math from Fall to Winter and it will inform
me of changes that need to be made to help students increase growth in the Spring.
general in the math class. There is ample study on eportfolios supporting learning and critical
thinking, but not enough on the specific topic of math. There was also not a lot of study when is
came to Seesaw being used in the classroom. I was able to find information on what Seesaw is
and how it can be used in the math class to increase content knowledge. This was beneficial in
my study. I was also able to find how eportfolios help students be able to articulate their learning
more and how they can apply it to new learning. The other very important thing I found is that
eportfolios can help students of all abilities with their communication and language skills which
will in turn help them be able to use language to explain their thinking in math. Because there is
little research done on the impact eportfolios have in mathematics, this will add to the existing
field of study.
August: I will begin implementation of my research plan. I will introduce Digital Citizenship
and what is expected of the use of technology in my classroom. This is important to understand
for my 2nd graders that have yet to use technology to build their knowledge. Then I will introduce
Seesaw and ways that we will be using it in math class. They will complete an introductory
assignment that will inform me of their background knowledge and level in math.
September: They will take their first NWEA MAP test. This will inform me where my students
are beginning and what skills they lack. It will inform assignments that I give them, and where I
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need to begin. We will continue to use Seesaw completing reflections, collaboration projects, and
explanations.
projects, and explanations. I will conduct exit tickets that inform me of where students are at and
what areas they need to improve on. (See Example of exit tickets Appendix 2) I will group
students according to their needs and give more support to those that need it and give harder
December: Students will take their second NWEA MAP assessment. This will inform me of
students growth and in what areas they still need improvement. I will assign tasks that they need
to complete to help in their areas of need. Students may have different tasks at this point, but we
are still focusing on being able to explain, reflect, and collaborate with others. This should keep
January-February: In January, I will meet with teammates and we will assess what areas of
content that needs to be still taught to students before their next NWEA assessment. This will be
my focus for assignments in January and February. They will continue to take exit tickets and
April: Students will take their last NWEA MAP assessments. This will inform me if my action
research plan was successful and if students made ample growth in mathematics. My goal is to
have 90% of students have at least 10 points of growth from Fall to Spring. I will see if I reached
my goal and continue to work with students on finalizing their Seesaw eportfolios. I will send
May: My team and I will assess if the use of Seesaw in the classroom was successful. In what
areas do we need to improve and in what areas were we most successful. We will also look at the
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previous year’s growth and see if that improved greatly with our new implementation of Seesaw.
At the end of May, my team and I will discuss our results with our leadership team. These results
will inform the school if we want to implement Seesaw schoolwide. We will reflect on our year
and give our success or failure an evaluation and proceed from there.
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Appendix 1
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Appendix 2
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