Date of Award
5-2022
Document Type
Action Research Project
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Catherine Kelly
Department/School
Curriculum and Instruction
Abstract
This action research aimed to determine the effects formative feedback and rubrics play on student motivation and proficiency levels in writing. This four-week intervention took place in a suburban 1st-grade classroom and an urban 3rd-grade classroom through whole group and small group instruction, collaborative conversations, student reflections, and student attitude inventories. Data was collected through the use of pre-and post-intervention writing attitude surveys. In addition, a pre-intervention, rough draft, and final draft writing sample that the teacher and student graded was utilized. Finally, data were collected during small group, reflective conversations involving student understanding and application of rubrics alongside writing samples. An increase in student proficiency was demonstrated following the use of formative feedback alongside rubrics when crafting personal narratives. Additionally, an increase in motivation was demonstrated, yet not significant enough to say that formative feedback paired with the use of rubrics increases student motivation in writing. Research should continue to identify patterns in students' confidence or attitudes towards their writing and proficiency levels over time. Furthermore, a longitudinal study involving Kindergartners-3rd grade would be beneficial to measure proficiency and motivation rates in writing over an extended period to identify patterns. This research can support educators so that we may better understand rubrics, formative feedback, and their influence on proficiency and motivation levels over time. Moreover, we can utilize the information to best inform our instruction and support systems with elementary student writers.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Amy and Horihan, Beth. (2022). The Effects of Formative Feedback and Assessment Tools on Writing Proficiency and Motivation in Elementary Classrooms. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/maed/466