ADULT NUMERACY NETWORK

Practitioner Research Projects

The Adult Numeracy Network (ANN) sponsors up to two practitioner research projects each year beginning in the fall and concluding before our annual meeting the following spring. We encourage practitioners to try something new in their classroom based on what the ANN Teaching & Learning Principles suggest for a high quality mathematics curriculum and learning environment.

Read our most recent practitioner research project, developed by Shelly Leduke, ANN member from Connecticut. 

Can Spatial Reasoning Skills Improve When Studied in an Online Environment? (2022)

We would like practitioners to familiarize themselves with the ANN Teaching & Learning Principles and The Components of Numeracy and base their research project on some aspect of these two important documents. Selection of projects will be based on how well the practitioner follows the four elements for practitioner research listed below and utilizes ideas from the Teaching and Learning Principles.

Each year, the deadline for submission is October 31. Up to two practitioners will be selected and will receive a $500 stipend at the completion of their projects and sharing of their findings. Selected practitioners will be asked to join ANN if they are not already members.

Four Elements of Practitioner Research

1. Identify the question to be researched. 
   What aspect of the ANN principles or the Components of Numeracy are you investigating? “What is going on?” or “What happens when??” or “How do I help students??” Make sure your question allows you to collect data to answer your question and applies to the Teaching and Learning Principles.
2. Discuss how you will collect data to answer the question. 
   How will you gather information to answer your question (survey, testing, interview, observation, focus group, etc.)? Will it be quantitative (numbers, i.e. math scores to show demonstration of learning) or qualitative (case study)?
3. Analyze and interpret the data. 
   What will you do with the data that you gathered? What did you find out? What’s the answer to the question? What does this mean for your teaching practice?
4. Share the findings. 
   Write an article for the Math Practitioner based on your research project. If possible, share your project at the ANN annual conference the following spring.

Sample Projects

• Tom Brewer: Connecting Math & Critical Thinking Through Group Interaction (2008)
• Amy Guda: What Types of Previous Knowledge Do Students Use When Leaning New Geometry Skills? (2008) 

If interested, please submit your proposal electronically to the Adult Numeracy Network (annpractitionerproject@gmail.com)