The back of the coin in resilience: on the characteristics of advantaged low-achieving students

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-383
Author(s):  
Oscar David Marcenaro-Gutierrez ◽  
Luis Alejandro Lopez-Agudo
Keyword(s):  
Low Achieving Students

Rethinking the Effects of Classroom Activity Structure on the Engagement of Low- Achieving Students

2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (7) ◽  
pp. 1665-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Kelly ◽  
Julianne Turner
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Classroom Discourse ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Classroom Activity ◽  
Low Achieving Students ◽  
Activity Structure ◽  
Mode Of Instruction ◽  
Class Instruction ◽  
Whole Class

Background/Context A common perspective found in the literature on classroom activity structures hypothesizes that a whole-class mode of instruction is linked with increased problems of achievement motivation for low-achieving students. If whole-class methods of instruction (e.g., recitation-style question-and-answer sessions) are rich in evaluation and foster social comparisons among students, low-achieving students may become disengaged in an effort to avoid negative evaluations. It is important to consider the evidence on activity structures and engagement carefully because this perspective represents a sweeping critique, concluding essentially that the predominant mode of instruction in American schools is detrimental to achieving widespread educational success. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study Are whole-class modes of instruction linked with increased problems of achievement motivation and disengagement for low-achieving students? Research Design This study is a review of research on the association between student engagement and activity structure. We review both quantitative and qualitative studies investigating the link between activity structure and student engagement, with an emphasis on studies that identify an interaction between students’ level of achievement, activity structure, and engagement. In interpreting the evidence, we focus on studies of classroom discourse—particularly studies of dialogic and scaffolding instruction, which illustrate variability in the effects of whole-class instruction on student engagement. Conclusions/Recommendations Although many relationships between motivational climates and levels of engagement have been clearly documented, we find no conclusive evidence of a link between whole-class instruction and disengagement among low-achieving students. Research on classroom discourse illustrates that the activities that constitute whole-class instruction are not inherently problematic for low-achieving students and can, in fact, promote engagement.

scholarly journals Knowledge Building and Mathematics: Shifting the Responsibility for Knowledge Advancement and Engagement

2010 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Moss ◽  
Ruth Beatty
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Solutions ◽  
Knowledge Building ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Early Algebra ◽  
Epistemic Agency ◽  
Knowledge Forum ◽  
Low Achieving Students ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
Building Culture ◽  
And Mathematics

Three classrooms of Grade 4 students from different schools and diverse backgrounds collaborated in early algebra research to solve a series of linear and quadratic generalizing problems. Results revealed that high- and low-achieving students were able to solve problems of recognized difficulty. We discuss Knowledge Building principles and practices that fostered deep understanding and broad participation. Students used the online Knowledge Building environment Knowledge Forum® to conduct their work and we illustrate how Knowledge Forum supported a Knowledge Building culture for mathematical learning and problem solving. Analyses of participation patterns and note content revealed practices consistent with Knowledge Building principles, specifically democratization of knowledge, with students at all achievement levels participating, and epistemic agency, with students providing evidence and justification for conjectures and generating multiple solutions to challenging problems.

scholarly journals Integrating virtual manipulative with the use of iPad in the teaching and learning of fractions

2016 ◽  
pp. 581-601
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Teaching Tool ◽  
Motivation To Learn ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Group Activities ◽  
High Achieving Students ◽  
Low Achieving Students ◽  
Virtual Manipulative

Several reports have suggested that students have difficulties in understanding the concepts of fraction, particularly on fraction equivalence and addition of fractions that involved unlike denominators. It is envisaged that the implementation of Virtual Manipulative using iPad would enhance students’ conceptual understanding. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of Virtual Manipulative with the use of iPads in teaching equivalence and addition of fractions. The target groups were two Year 7 classes in one of the secondary schools in Brunei, one class comprising high-achieving students, while the other consist of low-achieving students. An action research design that included quantitative and qualitative data analyses was conducted. The findings revealed that the implementation of Virtual Manipulative using iPad has significant effect on students’ performance in-group activities, and it has significant effect for students with low abilities. The study also revealed that students’ motivation to learn fractions increased as they found the use of iPads to be fun and interesting. However, the results also revealed that the use of iPads as a teaching tool appeared to be challenging for teachers.

scholarly journals How does adopting a Growth Mindset Improve Academic Performance? Probing the Underlying Mechanisms in a Nationally- Representative Sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maithreyi Gopalan ◽  
David Scott Yeager
Keyword(s):  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
National Study ◽  
Student Behaviors ◽  
Low Achieving Students ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Students who are taught that intellectual abilities are not fixed but can be developed—a growth mindset of intelligence—show improvements in their academic outcomes. Specifically, the mindset treatment effects are strongest for low-achieving students and vary across school contexts, as demonstrated by several lab and field-experimental studies including the largest randomized control trial (RCT) evaluation in a nationally- representative sample of 9th graders in the US as shown by the National Study of Learning Mindsets (NSLM). Yet, the mechanisms through which a growth mindset brings about positive academic outcomes remains unclear. Past research posits a role for challenge-seeking/learning-oriented behaviors exhibited by students exposed to a growth mindset intervention. However, research illuminating this pathway from mindset to academic outcomes through student behaviors are sparse. For the first time, given the multisite RCT design and the inclusion of a rich set of mediators—especially, a mediator measured using a novel behavioral task that elicits learning-oriented behavior in the NSLM, rather than relying on just self-reported mindset measures, this research tests the complete mediational pathway and highlights a key mechanism through which growth mindset interventions may work.

Shooting for the Stars

2020 ◽  
pp. 239-258
Author(s):  
Rotem Israel-Fishelson ◽  
Arnon Hershkovitz
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Deleterious Effect ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
School Students ◽  
Low Achieving Students ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Context Of Learning ◽  
Elementary And Middle School

Persistence is considered a crucial factor for success in online learning environments. However, in interactive game-based learning environments, persistence in progressing in the game may come at the expense of investing in each of the game's levels. That is, the motivation to complete the game may have a deleterious effect on learning at specific levels and hence on learning from the game in general. Therefore, it is imperative that research focuses on micro-persistence, i.e., persistence during each component of the learning process. Taking a learning analytics approach, this large-scale log-based study (N=25,812 elementary- and middle-school students) examines micro-persistence within the context of learning computational thinking, a key skill for the 21st-century. Data was collected and analyzed from an online, game-based learning environment (CodeMonkey™). Results suggest that the acquisition of computational thinking is a multi-dimensional process, and that persistence is a crucial factor for success in multi-level game-based learning environments. The authors also found that game-based learning environments may prove effective in narrowing the gap between high-and low-achieving students.

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