Artifact #11- Research Paper

Description:

This Research Paper was developed individually for the Informing Educational Practice course with Professor Shargel in the Fall of 2023. This course introduced the fundamentals of doing research and introduced different research approaches. For this assignment, scholarly articles were used to support the answer to a research question of my interest related to instructional technology. 

This Research Paper is based around the research question: How can using digital game-based learning in the primary grades be beneficial in the mathematics classroom? The student context of this research was primary elementary students in mathematics and based off of my experiences with my class at Magnolia Elementary School in Harford County Public Schools while teaching 1st grade with a wide range of learners including students with IEP's, 504 plans and English language services. Using digital game-based learning (DGBL) in mathematics was helpful in being able to provide differentiation and immediate feedback to students and with this experience, I was brought to looking at this further through research and if using DGBL has been a proven effective strategy in increasing student achievement, developing a more positive classroom climate, and increasing student engagement in the classroom. Through my research, I was able to find that there are a lot of studies that support incorporating DGBL in the classroom involving benefits in all three of these areas. After gaining an understanding of the benefits, a vision for change was proposed in this assignment involving getting school districts and teachers on board for integrating more DGBL into the classroom, especially in the area of mathematics. A letter was drafted to get principals on board and in support of this change and a proposed implementation of how the change can occur through the mathematics curriculum in Harford County Public School in 1st grade was laid out for one math unit including an example lesson plan. 

 

Standard Alignment:

Standard #6- Data Driven Decision Maker

6b. Support educators to interpret qualitative and quantitative data to inform their decisions and support individual student learning.

Through the research on DGBL for this assignment, qualitative and quantitative research studies were analyzed and interpreted resulting in overall data that supports DGBL in the primary mathematics classroom. Presenting this research to other educators including my vision for change can help them to make informed decisions about curriculum and strategies in their classrooms to support individual student learning.

6c. Partner with educators to empower students to use learning data to set their own goals and measure their progress.

The vision for change including the curriculum reform and implementation of change, outlines a first-grade math unit and how DGBL can be incorporated into the Envision 2.0 curriculum regularly using included components of the curriculum and an online math program that the county already has a subscription to use. Through the curriculum reform included, we can partner with educators to empower their students to use their learning data through these programs to set their own personalized goals and to measure their progress. 

 

Reflection:

This research paper and assignment was based around the research question: How can using digital game-based learning in the primary grades be beneficial in the mathematics classroom? The student context of this research was primary elementary students in mathematics and based off of my experiences with my class at Magnolia Elementary School in Harford County Public Schools while teaching 1st grade with a wide range of learners including students with IEP's, 504 plans and English language services. The research question was brought about after having positive experiences in my own mathematics classroom while using DGBL with students.  The research paper includes an analysis and interpretation of many scholarly articles that support DGBL in terms of increased student achievement, a more positive classroom climate and increased student engagement.

This research paper addresses the ISTE data driven decision maker standard by providing an analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data from research studies that are supportive of DGBL in the primary mathematics classroom. This analysis and interpretation regarding these studies can help to inform educators and their decisions to support individual learning. The research paper also helps to partner with other educators through the findings and the vision for change including the curriculum reform plan that is included. This plan outlines a math unit in first grade using the curriculum and resources provided through Harford County Public Schools. With examples of how DGBL can be incorporated into lessons regularly, educators can use this DGBL as a way to empower students in their classrooms to use learning data to set their own goals and measure progress.

Overall, the research involved in this research paper is very valuable and has changed the way that I view my students and how they are learning in a more technologically advanced world. As a result of the findings, I do plan on continuing to use DGBL in my first grade classroom, along with encouraging other educators to do the same. Sharing this research could be an effective way of encouraging others to use DGBL and technology with their students.