Presenter and Advisor Information

Grace E. McAvoy, Illinois Wesleyan UniversityFollow

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.

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Apr 10th, 9:10 AM Apr 10th, 9:15 AM

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.