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**Standard 9** **Teachers are able to evaluate themselves.** The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the learning community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally. Evidence 1: Action Research paper reflection

Rationale 1: This research project was developed and executed in EDT 656 and conducted on my sophomore physical education classes. In my action research paper I asked the question: By using heart rate monitors, would students be more aware of their target heart rates, and would they stay in their zones for a specific amount of time.

In the reflection portion of the paper, I felt it was extremely important because it demonstrated my ability to be a reflective individual and teacher. It helped me take a whole look at the research in which I conducted with my students, and look for anything that I thought went well, what I could have done better, and if any other types of variable affected the results of my research. It also gave me the opportunity to look back on the results that I received from the research and see if I accomplished what I sent out to do. In reflecting on the outcome of the research I have realized that heart rate monitors are extremely effective for students to be able to see what zones they are exercising, and it also made them more aware of where their target heart rates are. This reflection made me differentiate my teaching, be a flexible teacher, and do what is best for my students.

KSD


 * 9.K.1The teacher understands methods of inquiry that provide him/her with a variety of self-assessment and problem-solving strategies for reflecting on his/her practice, its influences on students’ growth and learning, and the complex interactions between them.**

Looking back on the results of my action research project, I am more able to adjust my teaching in my classroom. My research indicated that there was a huge difference in the knowledge of the students throughout the experiment while they were using their heart rate monitors. Therefore this leads me to believe that there are a variety of methods for learning information that can be affective for students. Finding the best method for each student will take some trial and error, and this is where reflection is very purposeful.


 * 9.S.2The teacher uses classroom observation, information about students, cultural, social, and philosophical frameworks, and research as sources for evaluating the outcomes of teaching and learning and as a basis for reflecting on and revising practice.**

Based on the outcomes of my observations done during the research it was noted that students who were using heart rate monitors during class were more observant about how hard they were pushing themselves during exercise, which caused them to be more focused and engaged in the learning process than those who were not wearing a heart rate monitor. With this knowledge I am able to reflect on other aspects of what and how I teach in my classroom and adapt my lessons to engage my students in a more effective way.


 * 9.D.4The teacher is committed to seeking out, developing, and continually refining practices that address the individual needs of students.**

After receiving the information from the research, I had the opportunity and present my findings to my department. With the findings, we are making using heart rate monitors in our classroom more of an emphasis in our curriculum. We also use the heart rate monitors in our grading practices in our classroom to help determine how hard students are actually pushing themselves during class. Through this study I have learned that I must keep an open mind and a willingness to allow a variety of ways to learn a topic. This will allow more students to succeed and enjoy the learning experience.