The Effect of Choice Boards on Student Motivation: An Action Research Project
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mathematics
Date of Award
Spring 2020
Abstract
This qualitative action research aimed to examine the effects of using choice boards in a rural middle school with students enrolled in a response to intervention (RtI) mathematics class. The goal of this study was to determine whether or not giving students choice on their assignments helped increase their [students' ] motivation. Observed students were given a 3x3 or 5x5 choice board using released standardized test questions where they were able to choose a tic- tac-toe row, column, or diagonal as their assignment. At the conclusion of the study, a student participant was interviewed about her thoughts and feelings on being given choice. Based on personal observations of the students in their class as well as the student interview, I would conclude that giving students choice does indeed improve student motivation. Future research should be conducted to see if it would be more beneficial to use choice boards, such as the ones used for this study, as an actual assignment on a typical day with instruction verses using choice boards as a possible warm-up spiral review or something similar. Future research should also be conducted in the general education classroom since not all schools have a designated RtI period.
Advisor
Rebecca Dibbs
Subject Categories
Mathematics | Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Recommended Citation
Cook, Casey Leigh, "The Effect of Choice Boards on Student Motivation: An Action Research Project" (2020). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 219.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/219
