Submission Type
Pre-recorded Poster
Area of Study or Work
Educational Studies
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85138860792?pwd=VVFMcEJuenBhcUt2K1QvSVhBZmU1UT09
Faculty Advisor
Leah Nillas
Expected Graduation Date
2021
Start Date
4-10-2021 9:10 AM
End Date
4-10-2021 9:15 AM
Abstract
While student choice, wherein students are allowed to make their own decisions in elements of classwork, has been gaining popularity in classrooms, student choice in the curriculum of the class is not as common. Additionally, it is thought that if students are allowed choice in the classroom that they will be more engaged in class overall. However, for choice to have a positive effect on engagement, it must be presented in a way that is personally significant and purposeful to the student (Boucher, 2015). In my study, I had my students choose, as a class, what we do in our curriculum. At the end of class on Thursday, the students voted on the activity for their free day on Friday, and on Friday, the students voted on the content we cover for the next week. This study was conducted in a rural high school’s drama classroom that consisted of 10 students daily for the entire week. Data was collected through a daily teacher journal, daily audio recordings, and collected student work. The findings of this study are pertinent to the educational field due to the importance of implementing student autonomy and classroom democracy when conducting classroom management regardless of subject.
Let’s Vote on It: How Implementing Student Choice in Curriculum Affects Classroom Engagement
While student choice, wherein students are allowed to make their own decisions in elements of classwork, has been gaining popularity in classrooms, student choice in the curriculum of the class is not as common. Additionally, it is thought that if students are allowed choice in the classroom that they will be more engaged in class overall. However, for choice to have a positive effect on engagement, it must be presented in a way that is personally significant and purposeful to the student (Boucher, 2015). In my study, I had my students choose, as a class, what we do in our curriculum. At the end of class on Thursday, the students voted on the activity for their free day on Friday, and on Friday, the students voted on the content we cover for the next week. This study was conducted in a rural high school’s drama classroom that consisted of 10 students daily for the entire week. Data was collected through a daily teacher journal, daily audio recordings, and collected student work. The findings of this study are pertinent to the educational field due to the importance of implementing student autonomy and classroom democracy when conducting classroom management regardless of subject.