Action Research Planner
Topic: Researcher: Organization: Ability to use the spelling words in the proper context Stanley’s Group Pei Chun Public School Pupils learn from spelling list prepared with no meaning beside each word. Teachers read the words aloud and pupils write the words down. Pupils may not know the meaning of the words and how to use the words appropriately. Date: Feb 2009
Current practice
Alternative
Revamp the spelling list. Include meanings and sentences constructed to illustrate the usage of the words. To find out if the “new” spelling list help the pupils to learn how to use the words. Null: Providing pupils with spelling lists (words with corresponding meaning and contextual usage) will not help the pupils to use the spelling words appropriately. Alt: Providing pupils with spelling lists (words with corresponding meaning and contextual usage) will improve pupil’s ability to use spelling words appropriately. P5E, 5F, 5G, 5G – controlled group/ comparison group 5E, 5F – Project groups (2 pre, 2 post) Non-equivalent groups. 5E: O1 O4 X O7 O10 5F: O2 5G: O3 O5 O6 X O8 O9 O11 O12
Design
Possible threats: (1) Sharing of lists (Between 5G and 5E/5F) (2) Independent learning
Measure
Normal spelling test result Usage of vocabulary test (words based on spelling list)
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Analysis
Check group equivalence before intervention Compare groups on gain scores O10 – O4 for project effect via SMD Mean, Standard deviation, SMD, independent t-test, Gain analysis
Results
Providing pupils with spelling lists (words with corresponding meaning and contextual usage) will improve pupil’s ability to use spelling words appropriately.
Comments: Dr Tan suggested doing away with the trial pre-test and trial post-test as it does not add value to the data analysis as essential information would have already been captured in the pre and post test results. Will the vocabulary test be able to measure the pupils’ ability to use the spelling words in context? supported by relevant literature. The design of the test to ensure its validity needs to be
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