Monitoring, Recording, and Tweaking – What have you found out?

1. Share data that you have collected/ recorded about the implementation of your changed practices or intervention(what evidence do you have about what you did differently?)

To effectively monitor the implementation of the changed practices and intervention, I employed a variety of data collection methods:

Classroom Observations

Direct Observation: I regularly observed classroom interactions, student engagement, and the overall learning environment.

Anecdotal Notes: I took detailed notes on specific incidents or observations that are relevant to the implementation of the changes.

Student Surveys and Interviews

Individual Interviews: Conducted one-on-one interviews with my target group of students to gather in-depth feedback on their experiences with the new practices and their impact on their learning.

Teacher Reflections
Going through my own reflections on the implementation process, including challenges, successes, and areas for improvement.
Self-Assessment: Regularly assess my own teaching practices against the goals and objectives of the intervention.

Analysis of my Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans: Review lesson plans to ensure they align with the new practices and reflect the desired changes.

Assessment Data: Analyse student assessment data (easTTle Reading Comprehension) to measure changes in learning outcomes.

Feedback from Colleagues

Peer Observations: Invited my Team Leader to observe my class and provide feedback on the implementation of the changed practices.

Collaborative Discussions: Participate in discussions with colleagues to share experiences and learn from each other's practices.

By combining these data collection methods, I can gather comprehensive information about the implementation of the changed practices, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the effectiveness of the intervention.

2. Describe the evidence you have so far about the effects of your changed practices/intervention on the desired learner outcomes and how you summarised and recorded these.

This report summarises the impact of recent changes to teaching practices on learner outcomes in reading. The changes included incorporating flipped learning, Daily Read Theory, Rewindable Learning, PALS strategy, short comprehension passages, constant reminders about staying on task, communication with parents via class dojo (calling the parents and talking about their progress and how they can assist in their child's learning. I also gave my Target group short reading comprehension passages to take it home, do with their whanau and bring it back on Mondays. 

Evidence of Impact

The evidence collected to assess the effectiveness of these interventions comes from two primary sources: classroom observations and student reflections.

Classroom Observations:

Positive Outcomes:

1. Clear Instructions: Students consistently demonstrated understanding of tasks and expectations due to clear and concise instructions.
2. Ground Rules: The lesson began with established ground rules for talking, and fostering a respectful and collaborative learning environment.
3. Scaffolding: The teacher effectively scaffolded the learning process by breaking down complex texts and providing additional support as needed.
4. Positive Reinforcement: Praise was used strategically to encourage participation and reinforce correct answers.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Excessive Talking and Instructions: At the beginning of the lesson, there was a tendency to over-explain, potentially leading to information overload.
2. Lack of Review: The lesson did not conclude with a review or summary to reinforce key concepts.
3. Time Management Issues: Challenges were observed in managing the time allocated to different groups, leading to uneven participation.

Student Reflections:

I sent a Google form to my target students to reflect on the progress they made in reading this term. Here are the responses, when they were asked how having the conversation chains helped their reading

Positive Feedback: Students reported that flipped learning, Daily Read Theory, Rewindable Learning, PALS strategy, and short comprehension passages had a positive impact on their reading skills. They appreciated the opportunities for independent practice and the support provided by the teacher.

Areas for Improvement: Some students mentioned that they would benefit from more explicit instruction and guidance, especially when encountering unfamiliar vocabulary or complex texts.

Key Findings:

Increased Engagement: Students have shown increased interest and enthusiasm for reading, as evidenced by their active participation in class discussions and independent reading activities.

Improved Comprehension: Students have demonstrated improved comprehension of reading passages, as reflected in their performance on assessments and their ability to answer questions accurately.

Enhanced Vocabulary: Students have expanded their vocabulary, as evidenced by their increased use of new words in their writing and conversations.

Positive Parent Involvement: Parents have reported increased involvement in their children's reading activities and a greater understanding of their child's strengths and areas for growth.

3. Explain the reflections and tweaks you have made along the way and the reasons why you made these changes. Share your evidence for these decisions.

Reflections and Tweaks:

1. Reduced Length of Comprehension Passages: Initial feedback from students indicated that the comprehension passages were too lengthy, leading to frustration and decreased engagement. In response, I shortened the passages to a more manageable length, which resulted in improved focus and understanding.
2. Increased Variety of Text Types: To cater to diverse interests and reading levels, I expanded the range of text types used in class. This included incorporating fiction, nonfiction, poetry and fables, allowing students to explore different genres and develop a broader understanding of reading.
3. Enhanced Differentiation Strategies: Recognising that students learn at different paces, I implemented more targeted differentiation strategies. This involved providing additional support to struggling readers through small group instruction and offering more challenging tasks to advanced learners.
4. Increased Use of Technology: To make reading more engaging and interactive, I used Read Theory which included using online reading resources. They also use Epic digital storytelling tools, and interactive games to enhance student learning and motivation.
5. Involving Parents: I realised that having constant communication with parents helped me to keep a close track of my learner's progress.
6. Sending extra reading materials home: This strategy helped, especially those learners who had attendance issues, they really needed that extra coaching and help to maintain their reading levels. 

Evidence for Tweaks:

Student Surveys: I administered surveys to gather feedback from students about their preferences, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.

Classroom Observations: Regular observations allowed me to assess student engagement, participation, and understanding during reading activities.

Teacher Reflections: Personal reflections and journaling helped me identify areas where the interventions were working well and where adjustments were needed.

Parent Feedback: Conversations with parents provided insights into their children's experiences with the reading program and their suggestions for improvement.

Collection Methods:

Observations: I conducted regular classroom observations.

Informal Interviews: I conducted informal interviews with my target group to gather in-depth feedback on their experiences with the reading interventions.

Data Analysis: I analysed quantitative and qualitative data collected through surveys, observations, and interviews to identify patterns and trends.

 Analysis:

The collected information has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the reading interventions. It has helped me to understand my learner's needs, intervention effectiveness and areas for tweaking.