Trisha Reszel

Date of Award

4-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Graduate Education

First Advisor

Steve Holtrop

Abstract

This action research project explores using cooperative learning strategies, specifically five of the structures designed by Dr. Spencer Kagan within a third grade mathematics classroom for six weeks. There were twenty-three participants in the third grade classroom, ages 8 to 9 years old. Students were given a survey of their opinion of math before the unit started, as well as after for comparison. During the unit, students participated in five different structures (or strategies based on KAGAN’s research) multiple times within each mathematics lesson. To determine if the action research was successful or not, unit scores from the current unit of instruction (implementation unit), as well as the previous unit were compared. Both units taught multiplication and division, so comparable in nature. The increase in scores, as well as the improved opinions and confidence in math showed that the use of these cooperative learning structures were successful for the students.

Comments

Action Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Education

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