2024 Symposium
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, the CSU Action Research Program at Cleveland State University hosted its 11th annual CSU Virtual Action Research Symposium. The symposium featured K-12 practitioners’ action research projects from Ohio and across the U.S. In addition to several Ohio Teachers of the Year for Ohio's State Board Districts, we were joined by action researchers from the American Educational Research Association's (AERA) Special Interest Group for Social-Emotional Learning.

2024
VIRTUAL ACTION RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
PROGRAM
The following are recordings from the virtual symposium event.
Each session features action researchers presenting their work and findings, followed by a Q&A.
opening remarks
11th Annual CSU Virtual Action Research Symposium
May 9, 2024
With special thanks to
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
six sessions
Please note the following designations for our action researchers:
*Ohio Teachers of the Year for State Board Districts
**2024 Ohio Teacher of the Year
***AERA Social-Emotional Learning SIG
Session 1
Fostering Teacher and Student Growth Beyond the Classroom: Innovative Practices in Broadcasting and Community Engagement
Chair: Dr. Guowei Jian
Discussant: Dr. Anne Galletta
Project 1A (time: 0:09)
Building Community Through Service
Action Researcher: Timothy Hubbard*
Deer Park High School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Jeff Karem
Cleveland State University
Project 1B (time: 20:03)
Ever-Changing: Helping High School Broadcast Teachers Stay Current
Action Researcher: Mark Lowrie**
Gahanna Lincoln High School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Scott Titsworth
Ohio University
Session 2
Art-Based Projects: Enhancing Student Engagement and Social-Emotional Learning
Chair: Dr. Terri Purcell
Discussant: Dr. Molly Buckley
Project 2A (time: 0:12)
Use of Real-Life Application in Art Project Based Learning
Action Researcher: Kathy Pugh*
STEAMM Academy @ Hartford Middle School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Rick Breault
Ashland University
Project 2B (time: 33:51)
Connecting Kids, Art, and Community
Action Researcher: Jennifer Best*
Fairless Elementary
Faculty Partner: Dr. Rick Breault
Ashland University
Student Partner: Ling Zeng
Ashland University
Session 3
Cultivating Community: Student Belonging and Leadership Through Music, Theater, and Art
Chair: Dr. Vickie Coleman Gallagher
Discussant: Dr. Cynthia Sistek-Chandler
Project 3A (time: 0:09)
Student Belonging Among a Community of Learners
Action Researcher: Brittany Russell***
Willard Public Schools, MO
Project 3B (time: 20:31)
The Effect of Emphasizing Community and Leadership in High School Music Classes
Action Researcher: Amy DeRodes*
Old Fort High School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Karla Hamlen-Mansour
Cleveland State University
Project 3C (time: 36:59)
Co-Creating Knowledge: Participatory Paths in Evidence Synthesis
Action Researchers: Luz Robinson, Tatiana Aguilar, & Hanna Garner***
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and AIR, North Carolina
Session 4
Advancing Student Success in High School: Authentic Feedback in English and Active Learning in Math
Chair: Dr. Roland Pourdavood
Discussant: Dr. Adam Voight
Project 4A (time: 0:09)
From Worst to First: How a Simple Check-In Formed Accelerated Student Growth and Helped Build Relationships
Action Researcher: Joseph Miller*
Port Clinton High School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Marius Boboc
Cleveland State University
Project 4B (time: 19:11)
The Use of Games, Technology, and Hands-On Learning to Strengthen Logical and Deductive Reasoning Skills
Action Researcher: Judy Brown*
National Trail High School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Jeffrey Wanko
Miami University
Project 4C (time: 38:28)
What is the Impact of Using Art to Express Feelings and Emotions to Help Build a Student's Sense of Self-Awareness
Action Researcher: Amy Hoffman***
McFarland Unified School District, CA
Session 5
Innovative Learning Paths: From Makerspaces to Computer Science and Animal-Assisted Programs
Chair: Dr. Monica Miller Marsh
Discussant: Dr. Brian Harper
Project 5A (time: 0:28)
Scaffolding Opportunities for Independent Learning in a Culturally Responsive Approach to Makerspace Curriculum and Learning
Action Researcher: Andrea Novicky*
Springfield Junior High and High School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Heather Hill
Cleveland State University
Project 5B (time: 21:09)
Computer Science Education: Creating an Elementary School Program
Action Researcher: Jennifer Kinkoph*
Leighton Elementary
Faculty Partner: Dr. Elena Andrei
Cleveland State University
Project 5C (time: 43:24)
Paws for Thought: Implementing a Classroom Dog in Elementary Education
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Leslie Croft
Action Researchers: Leslie* & Whit Croft
Coshocton Elementary School
Faculty Partner: Dr. Heather Hill
Cleveland State University
Session 6
SEL Strategies and Dramatic Arts: Fostering Academic and Emotional Growth
Chair: Dr. Dinah Volk
Discussant: Dr. Karl Wheatley
Project 6A (time: 0:10)
Creating and Performing Class Plays and the Powerful Impact on Student Academic Growth in Reading
Action Researchers: Debbie Schwertner* and Jade Vianueva
Richfield Elementary
Project 6B (time: 20:46)
Kindergarten Students: Use of SEL Interventions to Promote Socially Acceptable Behaviors/Self-Regulation
Action Researcher: Salli Swisher*
Fayetteville Elementary School
Faculty Partners: Professor Sharon Swan and Dr. Mary Gove
Cleveland State University
Project 6C (time: 37:23)
The Effect of Mindfulness Infused Art Activities on the Emotional Well-Being of Continuation High School Students
Action Researcher: Jennifer LaMar***
Downey Unified School District, CA
Closing remarks
11th Annual CSU Virtual Action Research Symposium
May 9, 2024
With special thanks to
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation