Date of Award

5-2022

Document Type

Action Research Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Mary Hedenstrom

Department/School

Curriculum and Instruction

Abstract

This action research project investigated the impact of implementing virtual science notebooks on primary students’ science achievement. Participants included twenty first grade students and their classroom teacher in a suburban, Minnesota school district. Students used iPads to complete virtual notebook pages after whole group instruction and independent learning time. Qualitative data collected included mid-intervention and post-intervention student and co-teacher interviews and researchers field notes and observations. Quantitative data included pre- and post-intervention rubric scores and a tally count of student inquiry. The data collected showed that students were highly engaged with their virtual notebooks and reported feeling more focused. However, there was no change in academic vocabulary and minimal change in student inquiry. The data collected suggests that more explicit instruction is necessary in academic vocabulary, while science notebooks do increase engagement in the science content and notebook entries.

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