AR Project Summary

My action research plan is dealing with reducing student dropout in an allied health career school. My activities included making decision, using policy handbooks, collecting data and students’ assessments. So far I have gathered updated information from the director’s guide of state policies, compared students’ grades, browsed the internet for sample assessments and printed out enrollment checklist. I conducted student assessment and while conducting the students’ assessment, I gave students forms to fill out to get their opinions of the class and school structure; more like a survey to see if they’re satisfied with the way things are going and if they’re not, what do they think can happen to improve the system. I also went through students’ files to make sure all their documents are complete and adheres to the state policy. I put together and gathered the grades of students who were accepted into the program due to performing well in the assessment and I compare them with previous students’ grades. I had some staff members review the student’s assessment and made suggestions and then had other staff members go through the files to make sure that all the required documents are inside students’ files just like I did. I checked prior and present students’ class average and made a decision on the method that works best in assessing the students, composed students’ entrance assessment that meets states’ standard, placed student’s documents in a particular order inside their files and have instructors confirm the grades of each student.

Draft Action Research Project Report

Reducing Students Dropouts

This paper will address the researches done to reduce students’ dropout rate through assessments; this study is focused on students in health career school.

The need for improvement was determined because students were dropping out at the middle of the program; and some students were not doing well in class.

Improvement is needed in student recruitment. When students comes in to register for a class there should an assessment done by having them take a test on the basic things that they need to know for them to comprehend in class. Students will also be asked couple of questions regarding their schedule to see how hectic it is and to also determine their flexibility in completing the program.

The research that I found relation to my topic has to do with students dropping out relating to physical fitness issues which was eventually ruled out. Recent LBP was not an independent predictor of school dropout (Scand J Public Health, 2010). With my research evaluations will be done and several personal and academic conditions will be considered. For a decision to be reached on what evaluation method to be implemented in the school the school director has to approve of it and it also has to be approved by the CEO. We considered having a group interview where the student will be asked all the evaluation questions by mouth rather than as an exam but because everyone might not always be around at the same time we decided to do them by paper. An interview is also done when students are applying so no need for a second one when they just need to do an assessment.

I communicated the vision by putting together a chart for students the percentages of the students that enrolled in the program and the percentage of those who stayed till the program was over. I also spoke to students and families regarding issue that they had that made them drop out. With the help of people’s opinions and inputs I was able to put the assessment together.

The strategy used to implement my plan is to have the students do the assessment before going through enrollment processes that way both the student and staff can see where the students is to be placed or is the student should enroll in the program or not. The assessment will help me determine if students will need extra help or extra learning time which can also be determined by the student’s schedule. Putting the forms together is not an expensive tasks however putting the assessment questions together is what takes most of the time.

After putting the assessment questions together, it was typed up and used for every student that wants to enroll in the program. After the assessment is graded students are informed if they’ll be able to go on with the program or not and what extra assistance that will be recommended for the student. The assessments also got the students to go into deep thoughts and know if they’re really ready to get into the program and stay focused or if it’s something they just thought about and decide to sign up. The assessments decreased the number of students that enrolled in the program however the one that enrolls stays till the end which is a good outcome.

The project will benefit students with special needs because after completing the assessments student are recommended for extra help depending on their performance and willingness to work with the school. Usually when there is a specific need in the school it is addressed by the school director with few staff members. The assessment process will continue until new and better ways are found.

Citation

Sons of Thunder Software. (2010-2011). Stykz 1.0.Retrieved March, 2013, from http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/58/8/527.full

Assignment Reflection (Week 5)

Using animations can attract students’ attention in class. I learned how to create animations with the help of Stykz (Sons of Thunder Software, 2011). The challenging part of the assignment was adding sounds to the animation using “How to add sound to stykz and other awesome things” video (Doodledog, 2009).  Adding sounds instructions were followed however, I did not get the same result; although the video was helpful I think it could be improved by specifying editing software to be used rather than generalizing the software. The directions on how to create animations were helpful and clear. Prior to the assignments I did not know that there are free downloadable websites to create animations as well as places to download free sounds.

 Design principles were learnt from “Basic Layout and Design Principles for Webpages” video (Barry Jahn, 2007). Each design incorporates several principles like: contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. I learnt to analyze contents of graphic designs.

 I read weekly readings and use the readings to figure out what to do on my assignments. I learn by examples and check my work by assessing given examples to compare with mine. Working with colleagues facilitated my thinking and positively affected my performances.

Information can be retained more with visual aide and technology. Using animations can help with future learning and retaining information.

My past interactions with colleagues will impact my future learning experience by building up my productivity level while working as a team.

One of the challenges as a future learner is being able to work in a group with someone that does not share the same ambition and I would like to research how to resolve that issue amongst students.

Websites in classroom will be implemented using online learning games (for pk-12) for students and guiding them through the process.

Citations:

Doodleddogvids. (2009, November).How to add sound to stykz and other awesome things. Retrieved February, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU3PNR8pcgA

Barry, Jahn. (2007, November).Basic Layout and Design Principles for Webpages.Retrieved February, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_mWi6r-9I&feature=youtu.be

Sons of Thunder Software. (2010-2011). Stykz 1.0.Retrieved February, 2013, from http://www.stykz.net/index.php

Group Site

https://sites.google.com/site/scholastic4education/home

Sty Kz Animation (Week 3)

Bible From Ethiopia

I was first impressed by the background design and the wooden bible.

 Pages 2/3 and 4/5 of the book have the same design around the texts demonstrating Repetition design.

Canon tables of Eusebius were grouped together on pages 10/11 demonstrating Proximity design.

 On page 24 there’s a picture demonstrating how Christ’s body was wrapped implying Alignment design.

 Pages 8/9 demonstrated the Contrast design because one side of the page contains Eusebius’s letter and the other contains his canon table.

The author incorporated both written notes and voice notes to help the readers understand the importance and history of the book.