Using learning stations in the elementary mathematics classroom to teach geometry : a case study

النوع : Mémoire

The use of learning stations is a strategy that falls under the umbrella of diff erentiation which recognizes students' different learning styles. The first purpose of this thesis study was to examine the effect of using learni ng stations to teach a unit of geometry on student performance in comparison wit h direct instruction. The second purpose was to investigate students' perception s of their learning experiences when they were taught through learning stations with respect to students' attitudes towards and enjoyment of mathematics. The th ird purpose was to gauge the cooperating teacher's perceptions of the practicali ty and effectiveness of classroom stations as used in this study. This case study was an experimental one. The study involved 40 third grade stude nts coming from two classroom sections. In each section there were 20 students, both boys and girls. The first section of students was the control group. This g roup received direct instruction. The second group received instruction through the use of mathematics learning stations. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered to both groups before and after inter vention took place. Students in the experimental group reflected on their learni ng in journals using writing prompts provided by their teachers. Furthermore a s emi-structured interview was conducted with the teacher of the experimental grou p. Results from the post-tests showed that the experimental group performed signifi cantly better than the control group did. Journal entries indicated that student s enjoyed working at different learning stations because they learned new skills , they could apply what they had learned to their daily lives, and the tasks wer e simple for them to complete. The teacher interview revealed that despite the t eachers reservations towards the stations approach she expressed confidence in t he method as an alternative to teaching from the text book.