My Research Design

Goal: To identify motivational strategies that can be implemented in the classroom setting that will aid in improving student academic outcomes.

Objectives:
1. Research current literature to identify potential strategies that will be utilized in the research.
2. Implement the identified strategies in the classroom setting.
3. Compile list of successful strategies and share with colleagues in district and on web blog.

Outcomes:
Through this research I will be inquiring as to whether or not short motivational segments on a daily basis can have a positive impact on student outcomes as it relates to academic success in the classroom.

Activities Designed to Achieve Goal:
1. I will select 2 of my classes in the fall of 2010 to participate in the research. These classes
will each be involved in a short motivational segment at the beginning of each class (5 min).
I will be using 3 different motivational strategies that I have identified through the literature
review and will attempt to spend 2 weeks with each strategy to complete the six week period.
One class will be the study group for a 6 week period and the other will be the control. After
the 6 week period is completed I will cross over the groups and continue the study protocol
for another 6 weeks. The research portion of the study will be completed at the end of the
second six weeks. (Nov. 2010)

Resources and Research Tools:
1. Internet based search on current forms of motivational strategies- Complete by Aug. 15th
2. Review classic literature on motivation through internet search (Ex. Glasser) Complete by
Aug. 15th.
3. Compile list of proposed strategies that will be implemented over a 6 week period. 3
motivational segments will be utilized, each lasting 2 weeks in order to complete the six
weeks period.

Draft Timeline:
1. Collection of data prior to research complete by Aug. 15th 2010.
2. Begin classroom portion of research Aug. 23rd 2010.
3. Crossover of study groups beginning of second six weeks, Oct. 4th 2010.
4. Classroom portion of research concludes at end of second six weeks, Nov. 12th 2010.
5. Assimilate and post research findings and conclusions by Dec. 10th 2010.

Persons Responsible for Implementing Plan:
I have sole responsibility for implementation of all portions of this research plan. My students will be working in conjunction with me but will not be given any knowledge of the research so that the results will be accurate and a true reflection of the goal of the study.

Process for Monitoring the Achievement of Goals and Objectives:
1. Observation- I will be observing student behavior and monitoring level of engagement in the
motivational segment of the class period and the curriculum based portion of the period as
well. I will be documenting these observations and keeping daily logs of both the study
group and control group.
2. Academic Performance- I will be tracking student performance on all assignments and tests
and will be specifically comparing the 1st six weeks to the second six weeks grades after
cross over and study completion. This data should serve the study purpose well and be
a relatively accurate reflection of the goals of the study. I will also be segregating the data
for each 2 week period that is being spent on each of the 3 motivational strategies.
3. Student Attitude Monitoring: A component of the study I am particularly interested in is
whether or not the motivational segments have any influence on overall student attitude.
My hope is that even if these strategies don’t have an impact on student academic outcomes
they will have an impact on overall attitude and help create a more positive atmosphere. I
will be tracking this component through observation and documentation.

Assessment Instrument:
1. The first assessment will be conducted by a comparison of 1st six weeks grades to
second six weeks grades. An improvement or lack thereof will be an indication that
the study was or was not effective.
2. The second assessment will be a comparison of two week data for each of the three
motivational strategies that will be implemented. This will identify which strategies are
most effective.
3. The third assessment will be a review and conclusive action of the observation notes
for overall student engagement and attitude reflection. These observations will also be
compared from the 1st six weeks to the end of the second 6 weeks.

Narrowing down research topics

I have narrowed down my research topic to "Motivational Techniques that Aid in Improving Student Performance". My research will include identifying different motivational techniques and implementing them in a classroom setting to develop a list of "best practices" that teachers can use to increase student mastery of curriculum. Basically a list of what works and doesn't work.

Motivational Research Findings

I have distinguished between the differences in action research and traditional research. Action research is most likely more applicable for educators in that it allows the use of the environment in which educators practice to discover the answers to problems that exist in the actual workplace. Action research is a great avenue for educators to continue to expand their knowledge base and continue to learn as they work to improve outcomes in their schools. For administrators it is beneficial in that they can be involved in meaningful interaction with other professionals outside of their traditional job descriptions.
I can see how action research will be a valuable asset when I want to find a solution to any problem that may be surfacing on my campus or aid in helping other administrators solve problems that they may be having. My research topic is a great example; how do we get students to stay motivated in the educational setting? Finding solutions to this problem potentially have huge benefits in our schools if we can truly motivate students to learn like we motivate them to perform in extra-curricular activities.

How might educators use blogs- Blogs are all about sharing information through networking. We're using the web to share information with one another that can benefit all who care to take the time to share their findings.