Date of Award

7-2021

Document Type

Action Research Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Megan Olivia Hall

Department/School

STEM

Abstract

This action research project focused on determining the effects peer-to-peer collaboration has on 8th-grade students in a middle school science classroom. The intervention took place over six weeks in two classrooms, whose learning models changed between hybrid and distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. For this study, researchers collected data through a pre and post-intervention science self-efficacy questionnaire and digital journal, and twice-weekly exit tickets. The results showed that the peer-to-peer model of collaboration implemented in this study increases student self-efficacy significantly, with girls having the most significant increase in self-efficacy. Researchers concluded that this model is an effective tool for supporting self-efficacy growth in the 8th-grade science classroom. Based on the results of this study, the researchers recommend implementing regular peer collaboration, teaching collaboration skills to support effective communication, and increasing the practice of self-reflection for students and teachers. Further research is needed to address how adding hands-on activities would affect self-efficacy and why female BIPOC students did not show the same levels of growth as their peers.

Download

  Email Author

Included in

Education Commons

Share

COinS