Our Previous Samples

Use the Internet or the education databases found  to search for a quantitative research study in education from the past five years. There are a number of education research databases available to you through the Strayer library. The Education Resources Information (ERIC) and Education Source are both excellent databases that can be searched at the Databases: EDU page, and you should start by searching in one of those two databases.

Overview

For this assignment, you will select a research topic and develop a potential research question to explore throughout the remainder of course. The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill.

There are a few things you will need to do when deciding on a topic:

• Brainstorm for ideas.
• Choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the literature.
• Ensure that the topic is manageable and that research material is available for it.
• Make a list of key words.
• Be flexible with the ability to be supported by evidence.
• Define your topic as a focused research question.
• Research and read more about your topic.
• Formulate a thesis statement.

Remember, selecting a good topic may not be easy. It must be narrow and focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough for you to find adequate information on it.

Requirements

Complete and submit the Research Topic and Question Worksheet [DOCX] to ensure the following:

• Topic selection is relevant, manageable, and interesting, and is not too broad or too narrow.
• Problem is clearly stated.
• Possible areas for research and gaps in current literature have been thoroughly addressed.
• Research questions can guide your research paper.

Search for a qualitative research study in education from the past six months and post the link. Identify the research design, purpose, and focus of the study. (See Table 6.1 in your text.) What is at least one ethical consideration of the researchers for this study?

Choose a topic that is highly debated in the education world, such as the use of standardized tests, single-gender classrooms, technology in education, or pay for the performance of teachers. Find a research study on the topic you selected. Critique the study. What does it say about the topic? Does it provide valuable information? Does it raise any new questions about the topic or provide ideas for future research?

• Discuss five ideas learned in this class that you feel are most relevant to the widest variety of instructional situations.
• Explain your reasons for choosing these ideas

As you have learned in this course, there are many different perspectives about how students learn. There are also many strategies that educators can use to ensure that effective instruction is implemented and students retain information. It is important that you as an educator are able to effectively implement various strategies; but before implementing, you must understand the underlying philosophies for the strategies you choose.

For this assignment, you will use the three theories from the Week 6 assignment, Leading Educational Theorists, to develop a lesson plan aligned to the learning theory and philosophy that best resonates with you.

Instructions

Develop a lesson plan using the Lesson Plan Template [DOCX] in which you will incorporate the following:

1. Select two learning objectives from the list below that students will use problem-solving, mathematical communication, mathematical reasoning, connections, and representations to accomplish: 
   • Determine common multiples and common factors of numbers.
   • Estimate the sum or difference of two fractions.
   • Determine a common denominator for fractions, using common multiples. Common denominators should not exceed 60.
   • Determine the least common multiple and greatest common factor of no more than three numbers.
2. Develop a minimum of two learning activities that align to your guiding learning theory. 
   • Develop one hands-on activity and one technology-based activity for each objective.
   • Justify the connection between the learning activities you have selected and your guiding learning theory in a minimum of three paragraphs.

A number of cognitive factors affect motivation. Please respond to the following:

1. Select one of the following factors.
   • Value.
   • Mastery goal.
   • Personal interest.
   • Expectancy.
   • Situational interest.
2. Describe the cognitive factor you selected, why you selected it, and how you might use it in your practice.

A lesson plan is a written document that lays out how a teacher will present instruction on a daily basis. It is important to know that most lesson plan templates have several components that require completion.

In this activity, you are provided the Week 9 Sample Lesson Plan [DOCX], in which you will identify the learning theory that is applicable to the two specific objectives and theories related to the strategies included in the Problem-Solving and Standards of Learning (SOL) Concept portion of the plan.

Instructions

For this assignment you will create comments in Microsoft Word to label your lesson plan. See the plan for further instructions. Specifically, you will:

1. Identify the learning theory that is applicable to the two specific objectives included in the sample lesson.
2. Identify the learning theory or theories that are applicable to the strategies included in the Problem-Solving and SOL Concept portion of the sample lesson plan.
3. Identify where digital technology has been used to enhance the lesson.

Identify the age group and/or content area you plan to teach.

Discuss how you foresee using technology in your classroom to teach this particular age group and/or content area.

our text discusses four distinct forms of transfer related to learning.

• Discuss the four forms of transfer and discuss the importance of problem-solving and critical thinking related to these skills.