ED690 Action Research in Education: Student Academic Support

This essay, submitted as part of an Action Research in Education unit (ED690) at Sheridan College, explores various methods for identifying and supporting students' academic needs in a timely manner. The author emphasizes the crucial role of teachers in fostering a positive learning environment and highlights the significance of understanding students' lives outside of school. The essay discusses several strategies, including providing emotional and psychological support, implementing improved tutoring and breakfast programs, enhancing communication systems through technology, and utilizing IEP/CAP coordinators and SMS for identifying students with needs. The author draws on research to support the effectiveness of these approaches and emphasizes the importance of technology integration while acknowledging potential drawbacks like distractions. The essay aims to provide practical insights for educators seeking to enhance student success.

Assignment Cover Sheet
Please complete the following details and submit this Assignment Cover Sheet with
each assignment:
Full name Mandeep Kaur Brar
Student ID number 9509037 Word count 2000
Unit code ED690
Unit title Action Research in Education
Lecturer/Tutor Dr Juhani Tuovinen
Assignment title Assisting students in academic field
Due date 9 November, 2018 Submission date 16 November,
2018
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 I declare this assignment is my own work, unless otherwise referenced, and has not been
submitted for assessment in another unit.
 This submission complies with the Sheridan College Academic Integrity Policy, and I
am aware of the information about plagiarism and the associated penalties found at
http://www.sheridan.edu.au/files/Policy%20Library/SC_Academic_Integrity_Policy_1_
01.pdf
 I acknowledge the person who assesses this assignment may make a copy and provide it
to another academic staff member for the purpose of the assessment
 I have kept a copy of this assignment
Optional comments (for example, list names of group members if this is a group
assignment:
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WAYS TO IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT STUDENTSACADEMIC NEEDS IN A TIMELY
MANNER
Abstract:
This article describes how a teacher can improve the life of students with their efforts. It
describes how the conditions like high standards for academic learning and conduct, meaningful
engagement, professional learning communities and personalized modernized environment help
the student and teacher to bond and develop very healthy learning experiences. I have referred to
many articles, books and journals to get the facts right about the idea of ways to identify and
support students’ academic needs in a timely manner. My approach can be ‘old school’ but the
subject according to me gives the clear picture of the ideas that are running in my mind.
Introduction
There is a very famous saying by Malala Yousafzai “One child, one teacher, one book, one
pen can change the world”(Yousfzai Malala,I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood
Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban, 2013).
So I believe a teacher is the face of the world for student as the student who is still gaining
experience of the world starts watching everything through their teacher’s eyes. Learning is a
part of our daily routine and teachers should be acclaimed for it, whether it is philosophy, a
rhyme or a life lesson. Teaching is a very significant profession that allows children a chance to
improve themselves. Significance of that child will pace away with a healthier thoughtful and
feel good about them gives me a great sense of achievement. (My personal belief). Therefore, it
is necessary that I develop a sense of interaction with the children and involve myself in trying to
be more communicative with them in the future as well as in the present time.
Researchers have suggested that for students to take advantage of high expectations and more
advanced curricula, they need support from the people with whom they interact daily (Klem,
Connell, 2009).
As per Nespor (1987), teachers recognize that what happens in a student's life outside of the
school day matters in the classroom. A 2015 Scholastic sponsored survey asked award-winning
“Teachers of the Year” what blockades to education most affect their students' success. The top
responses included family stress (cited by 76% of teachers) and poverty (62%), followed by
learning and psychological problems (52%). If these teachers could choose where to focus
education funding in order to have the highest impact on student learning, their top priorities
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would include anti-poverty initiatives andreducing barriers to learning through “wraparound”
services such as healthcare.
For the students who suffer from financial hardships there are a many of ways to make them feel
comfortable and more focused towards studies. According to Theen (2012), first of all the
teachers should engage in primary handover, i.e. gathering information before entry so as they
can connect with the students by understanding his keen interest areas. The students are,
sometimes, really shy or sometimes really disinterested in some parts of their studies so making
the studies engaging helps both ways.
Research confirms that what teachers recognize as poverty can have very high impact on
students’ academic achievement. (Sibley, Theodorakakis, Foley, Petrie, Raczek, 2017)
Therefore, I believe there are a many of areas where teacher plays a great role in strengthening
student’s life goals and helps in achieving timely and most accurate results. Some of those ways
are discussed in the article are:
1. Move access to emotional/ psychological support. Not just Chaplains
Therefore, the teachers’ beliefs and guidance is really important in student’s life. If the teachers
have more interest and dedication in educating a student, it is for sure that the student will
develop interest and be successful in that particular subject. It has become a universal idea that
teacher’s ways of thinking and understanding are important components of practice. This is
major research area on teacher’s decision-making and information processing (Nespor, 1987).
Scientists are always discovering new ways into how people learn the best, and some of the most
recent neuroscience research has shown connections between basic survival functions, social and
emotional reactions to the world, and creative impulses (Kronholz, 2011).
Students’ social and emotional reactions to learning are vital to feeling motivated to learn and to
their ability to creatively solve problems. Immordino-Yang, who wrote Musings on the
Neurobiological and Evolutionary Origins of Creativity via a Developmental Analysis of One
Child’s Poetry,tries to understand through her research why emotions are so important to
learning by examining what happens to brain functions (Schwartz, 2013).
2. Improved tutoring – combine with a breakfast program
As part of its commitment to providing a community focused, relevant and high-quality
program, Foodbank WA evaluates its School Breakfast Program (SBP) annually. The aim
of the evaluation is to assess the impact of the SBP on schools and students, as well as to
identify aspects of the program that are working well or that may require improvement.
In 2012, a total of 333 schools responded to the survey, a response rate of 87%. Synopses
of the 2012 results, according to Davies, aresummarized below:
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“The school breakfast program has been very worthwhile in making the Aboriginal Students
independent as they prepared their own lunches and took control of their eating habits. We also
had other children arriving at school without breakfast and were able to feed them. The
difference to their feeling of security and belonging plus the relationship with adults at the school
is mainly due to them having food provided. Thanks for providing for these students it makes a
huge difference in their lives”
School Breakfast Program Demographics On average, 56 students per school accessed the SBP
(i.e. 33% of students per school). Approximately 23 students per school or about a half of the
SBP students that accessed the SBP was Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (Davies, 2012).
This provides an idea about the manner in which SBP can be used effectively and the
possibilities it may have on the development of education for children in the country. At the
same time, the Torres Strait Islanders can ensure that education among the people can reach so
that more people from the race can be considered as educated.
3. Better communication system – student email, read receipts, use of SEQTA/
Schoology: As the SEQTA software is having all the latest technologies like planning
curriculum, mapping and LMS, assessment, feedback, reporting, parent engagement and
individual education needs identification it is one of the most sought after software in
colleges and schools and is really helpful database for students as well. This provides
complete analysis and training and support at the real time basis for students/parents as
well as for teachers.(Grant and Sharon Grosser, SEQTA, 2006)
4. Effective technology is one of the best ways that can be employed in the classroom to
enhance students’ learning experiences. By using technology in classroom, students will
get one to one support and it may enable students to be master at their subject or area at
their own pace which will help them to make their learning experience better(Kronholz,
year?). In this way, students will have thousands of resources to explore from where they
can achieve more (Theenz,2014). Technology may not necessarily improve learning
itself. Emphasis should be given on interaction between use of technology and learning.
( Lai,2008).
Despite increases in computer access and technology training, technology is not being
used to support the kinds of instruction believed to be most powerful. We examine
technology integration through the lens of the teacher as an agent of change: What are the
necessary characteristics, or qualities, that enable teachers to leverage technology
resources as meaningful academic tools?
To answer this question, we discuss the literature related to four variables of teacher change:
knowledge, self-efficacy, educational beliefs, and subject and school culture. Specifically, we
propose that teachers’ mindsets must change to include the idea that “teaching is not effective
without the appropriate use of information and communicationtechnologies (ICT)
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resources to facilitate student learning”. Implications are discussed in terms of both teacher
education and professional development programs. (Ertmer &Anne?, 2014)
The emails can be individual and unique experience for the students. They can get one on one
questioning answering. Using ICT as means of communication, development and learning helps
develop professional skills in the students which is going to help them in future professional life.
At the same time, ICT may prove as a distraction for the students mainly due to the excess use of
communication devises. Hence, students may be compelled to use the communication devices
not just for education purpose but also for engaging in conversations with fellow peers.
5. IEP/ CAP Coordinator
A keystone of special education practice is modifyingteaching to encounter individual students'
needs. Individual education programs (IEPs) are used in many countries to document the manner
in which such instruction is customized and to provide a record of student outcomes.
Using 2009 data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, this paper examines a
range of student and school variables associated with Australian children aged 8 to 9 years who
had an IEP at the time. There were significant differences across government, Catholic and
independent schools and significant differences across the states and territories in the use of
IEPs. Some of the differences include the rise of political tension between the various
Governments so that an assessment can be made that help in understanding the effectiveness of
the issues present within an educational zone. Apart from this, other differences included the
cultural and family upbringing of children that had a significant impact on the development of
education and its successful growth in the country. The Discussion section of the paper explores
possible reasons for those differences and the desirability for more consistent use of IEPs with
students with a disability in Australia.(Dempsey & Ian, 2012)
6. Use of SMS to identify students with needs
As mainstream source communication text, messaging has taken over with a positive effect. Few
students are not into the enthusiastic texting game but use of texts and SMS (Short Message
Service) to maintain teaching and learning in higher arts education. There are key aspects, both
conceptually and pedagogically. It suggests a range of opportunities for us to integrate texting
into our teaching and learning strategies. SMS texting is very much in fashion between teens:
(Davis, 2017)
a. Faculty/Class Engagement: Faculty/Class Engagementin the modern way as the
SMS is an easy way for both the teacher and the student to be on the same page.
Mainly it is the database for teachers to collect the information and circulate so that
each and every student.
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b. Current affairs/student affair: Prompt the students about the many programs they
have to keep current with whether it’s financial aid, class registration or even dining
dollars just to name a few. If it’s in a text, it’s less likely to go unnoticed.
c. Emergencies: The modern way of communication as SMS has by far most read rates
i.e. 98% so especially in case of emergencies the most reliable source is texting.
(Davis, 2017)
Conclusion:
The student’s self-esteem and confidence will increase through different methods of teaching by
a teacher. A student can gain much by the methods described in the article as it is providing him
or her with the resources platform and skills database which they usually need to excel in their
academic development. Students heading to further studies or colleges will learn how to create
study plans, develop advanced study skills, and learn superior time management skills. There are
numerous benefits of tutoring in college, including reinforcement of existing knowledge and
gaining a better understanding of a field of study. Teachers and educational organizations
provide their bests interests to achieve the best results for students.
As a very famous saying holds perfectly here “A good teacher knows how to bring out the
bestin a student” (Journalist Charles Kuralt, The Dogville Chronicle, 2012).
References:
Christina Davies, SBP Coordinator – Regional Primary School, 2012. Retrieved from
http://www.healthyfoodforall.com.au/images/uploads/130114_SBP2012_Report_Final.pdf on 9
NOVEMBER, 2018.
Dempsey & Ian (2012).The use of individual education programs for children in Australian
Schools Australasian Journal of Special Education, Vol 36, Issue 1.Retrieved from
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/australasian-journal-of-special-education/article/use-
of-individual-education-programs-for-children-in-australian-schools/
CE9A82C7A4B6EECB2A7A094236BA75C1 on 12 November, 2018.
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Ertmer, P.A. &Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T., (2014, Feb). How Knowledge, Confidence, Beliefs,
and Culture Intersect ,Teacher Technology Change. Indiana University, pp. 255-284 Retrieved
from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15391523.2010.10782551 on 9 November,
2018.
Klem, A. M., & Connell, J. P. (2009).Linking teacher support to student engagement and
achievement. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1746-
1561.2004.tb08283.x on 9 November, 2018.
Kronholz, J. (2011). Getting at- risk teens to education. Education Next. Vol.11. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology#cite_note-152 on 8 November, 2018.
Kuralt, C. (2012). A good teacher knows how to bring out the best in a student. Retrieved from
https://thedodgevillechronicle.com/main.asp?SectionID=12&SubSectionID=32&ArticleID=5959
on 11 November, 2018.
Lai, K.W. (2008). ICT supporting the learning process: The premise, reality, and promise. In
International handbook of information technology in primary and secondary education. Springer
:US. pp. 215–230.
Nespor, J. (1987). The role of beliefs in the practice of teaching University of Texas,
Austin.Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0022027870190403 on 8
November, 2018.
Schwartz, K. (2013, March).How Emotional Connections Can Trigger Creativity and Learning..
retrieved from https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/27574/how-emotional-connections-can-trigger-
creativity-and-learning on 9 November, 2018.
Sibley, E., &Theodorakakis, M., Walsh, M.E., Foley, C., Petrie, J. &Raczek, A.(2017). The
impact of comprehensive student support on teachers: Knowledge of the whole child, classroom
practice, and Teacher Support, Teaching and Teacher Education 65. 145-e156. Retrieved from
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/teaching-and-teacher-education on 9 November, 2018.
Theen, A. (2012, February). MIT Begins Offering Free Online Course With Certificate.
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology#cite_note-152 on 11
November, 2018.
Yousfafzai, M.(2014).One Child, One Teacher, One Pen And One Book Can Change The
World'Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/one-child-one-teacher-one-
pen-and-one-book-can-change-the-world/292810
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Mandeep
ED690 Action Research Assignment 2 Comments
1. You havemany issues here, suggesting multiple ways to tackle the issue you identified at the
beginning. However, you have not made it clear which aspects you would include to identify and
support student needs? Would you try to use them all?
2. This means the topic is not clear.
3. You have used unsuitable words quite often, which tend to obscure the meaning and mislead
the reader.
4. It is not always clear what was learned from the studies that you quoted that could be used by
the school where you will be conducting this research?
5. You should make sure all the claims you make are properly referenced, e.g. see page 2.
6. You should make sure all the references quoted are fully mentioned in the main reference list at
the end.
7. You have used a good range of references in your work.
8. There are some problems with your grammar and expression.
9. You have written a Fail level assignment.
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