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Using Project-based Learning as a Tool for Teaching Mathematics in Urban Elementary Schools

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the lived experiences and views of fourth- and fifth-grade math teachers who implemented project-based learning (PBL) addressed the needs of their at-risk students in urban schools. The researcher examined the use of PBL in mathematics-impacted instruction, seeking to understand teacher beliefs related to the influence of exposure to PBL experiences on students' academic outcomes. When deliberately planned and embedded into teaching, the implementation of PBL helps students retain content, improve attitudes about learning, and improve their ability to collaborate with others (Cervantes et al., 2015). A literature review was conducted to explore PBL and its relationship with constructivism, growth mindset, and cooperative learning and the degree to which these teaching methods affect student learning. A growth mindset enables students to consider inquiry, exploration, and student collaboration (Larmer et al., 2015). Also present in PBL are cooperative learning activities, which Slavin (2015) found encouraged students to work together on projects that required the inclusion and student application of content standards. Qualitative research methodology using the phenomenological method was implemented in this study. The study investigated the lived experiences of fourth and fifth-grade math teachers who implemented PBL in urban schools. The researcher interviewed teachers who have participated in project-based learning with their students. Results and discussion are included for the research question as well as implications of the findings, recommendations, and suggestions for future research.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:etd2020-1236
Date01 January 2020
CreatorsJaster, Bernadette
PublisherSTARS
Source SetsUniversity of Central Florida
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceElectronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-

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