What are students achieving: A look at the influence of grades on student learning
by Kaech, Buddy James, M.A.E., PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY, 2008, 77 pages; 1457910

Abstract:

This qualitative inquiry investigates the impact of grading and marking on high school students' learning through motivational changes. Data was collected by student surveys, a record of question asking, classroom observations, and informal interviews then analyzed holistically, searching for commonalities and emerging themes. The findings suggest that students value their grade more than their own understanding and this tends to lead to a surface level approach to learning. While the possibility of a grade-focused approach to school can be combined with a deep approach to learning, most students who are grade-focused learn at the surface level. This approach can lead to a failure to understand concepts and a struggle to find learning enjoyable. This may have far reaching impacts on students desire to learn beyond school. Implications for classroom teachers and methods to alter students' grade-focused approach are also discussed.

 
AdviserPaula H. Leitz
SchoolPACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 47-01, p. , Oct 2008
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsCurriculum development
Publication Number1457910
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1457910
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.