Alia Hadid
Patrick Mannion
Babak Khoshnevisan
University of South Florida

Abstract
Technology permeates all aspects of our lives, including the field of education. As educators in the field of language learning, we understand the importance of technology and the benefits it brings to classrooms. This inspired us to explore the use of an ever-evolving form of technology, augmented reality (AR), to help English learners (ELs). The purpose of this conceptual paper is to shed light on the potential value of using AR in language classrooms and provide an example of how teachers might adapt textbooks for ELs. The model we provide is a project, called “Reader Buddy,” in which we augment vocabulary, integrate skills, and extend learning beyond the boundaries of classrooms. A work in progress, Reader Buddy provides an example of how AR-based textbook supplements have potential to improve the quality of language teaching and learning. These AR supplements come to the rescue of ELs who face language-related struggles in their classes.

Citation
Hadid, A., Mannion, P., & Khoshnevisan, B. (2019). Augmented reality to the rescue of language learners. Florida Journal of Educational Research, 57(2), 81-89.

Download: 10.-Hadid.572.pdf (985 downloads )

Melanie R. F. Law
Florida Southern College

Abstract
Writing skills are important for graduate students to be successful in their academic programs. However, some graduate students are underprepared for the rigor of academic writing. A doctor of education student designed an APA Style writing workshop using a systematic method outlined by Dick, Carey, and Carey (2015). The workshop included online videos, group discussion, online quiz games, a hands-on activity, handouts, and a PowerPoint lecture. The current study assessed the effectiveness of the workshop on teaching select elements of APA Style writing. The results of the repeated measures design indicate that the instruction increased participants’ (N = 19) knowledge of elements of APA Style and reduced the number of errors participants made in written references, including those participants with prior formal APA Style instruction. Additionally, there appears to be a demand among graduate students for more support in the development of their writing skills.

Citation
Law, M. (2019). APA style writing instruction in graduate education. Florida Journal of Educational Research, 57(2), 72-80.

Download: 9.-Law.572.pdf (1122 downloads )

Jessica Baker
Florida Atlantic University High School

Abstract
Too often, reading instruction in schools does not encourage or support a classroom culture that fosters intrinsic reading motivation. Through this teaching inquiry project, I modified my approach to teaching literature and incorporated independent novel choice with book clubs into my high school English classroom. My research study examined if choice novels impacted reading motivation. Over the course of the project, I collected qualitative and quantitative data to determine the impact of choice novels on my students. Findings indicated that choice novels and book clubs enriched students’ conversations about literature and furthered their connections to one another. I found that this choice novel reading program brought back a genuine interest in reading as a result of an increase in reading motivation.

Citation
Baker, J. (2019). The impact of choice novels on student reading motivation. Florida Journal of Educational Research, 57(2), 62-71.

Download: 8.-Baker.572.pdf (917 downloads )

Mickey MacDonald
P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School

Abstract
The elimination of academic tracking alongside a move to institute standards-based assessment and proficiency-based learning led a biology teacher to adopt the national Next Generation Science Standards along with the three-dimensional learning framework for instruction and assessment which led to two questions of practice: (a) What is three-dimensional learning? and (b) How can three-dimensional learning be implemented within a high school biology course? Pre- and post-test data, and student scientific arguments were examined during the implementation of a pilot three-dimensional learning unit on evolution. Results from analyses of these data led the biology teacher to seek professional learning to deepen her understanding of three-dimensional learning and to develop scaffolds to support students in transitioning to this change in assessment practice.

Citation
MacDonald, M. (2019). Three-dimensional science learning and assessment in biology. Florida Journal of Educational Research, 57(2), 49-61.

Download: 7.-MacDonald.572.pdf (1727 downloads )

Renee Andrews
P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School

Abstract
Teacher inquiry was completed to determine how Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science student participation in citizen science projects would influence students’ perception of relevance of my course. I collected baseline data through a questionnaire that surveyed student interest, course relevance, and views regarding their contributions to the scientific community. Students selected a project that allowed them to engage in citizen science. They completed journal entries about the process and their attitude toward their citizen science study. I provided guided questions for the journaling process. I also kept a journal that included possible evolution of student attitudes. After the students completed their projects, they took the same questionnaire to see if there had been an attitude shift. Results indicated that most students found the work to be interesting and relevant, and that citizen science projects encouraged a belief that students can and should think of themselves as valuable contributors to the body of scientific knowledge.

Citation
Andrews, R. (2019). Using citizen science projects to increase student interest and perceptions of relevance in AP Environmental Science: An inquiry study. Florida Journal of Educational Research, 57(2), 39-48.

Download: 6.-Andrews.572.pdf (848 downloads )