What is the academic impact mathematics journaling would have in a cooperative learning environment?

Abstract

Educators have become increasingly concerned with the declining statistics of mathematics students in the United States; Americans continue to turn in flat results in tests that measure students' proficiency in reading, math, and science worldwide. As I have searched for various solutions to address the low achievement of students in mathematics, my review of the current literature has led me to believe that, if students use an interactive writing journal they could be more successful. Research has shown that when used with fidelity cooperative learning can increase student learning outcomes. Furthermore, when students use writing in mathematics as a strategy to communicate problem-solving, learning outcomes are also improved. This study focuses on mathematics journaling in a cooperative group with a fifth grade class in an urban school district in western New York. The results show there is a positive correlation between their Interactive Mathematics Journal and their cooperative group. Future research in a similar school district could speak to the validity of this project. Future research could increase the gap in the data to support mathematics journaling in a cooperative learning environment. [from author's abstract]