The artifact I chose for NBPTS Propositions 4 and 5: Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience and teachers are learners of learning communities is the action research I did for EDUC 689: Action Research in Education. This artifact demonstrates my expertise in research and was conducted in the spring of 2013.  The title of this action research is Study of Strategies to Improve Speaking Proficiency of Level One Foreign Language This project focused on improving speaking proficiency through the use of Blackboard Voice Board.

Students recorded voice samples using Blackboard Voice Board once a week for 10 weeks.  The purpose of this study was to determine which strategies would motivate students to improve their speaking proficiency of the target language in the foreign language classroom. The goal of improving students’ speaking proficiency skills was foremost, and by sharing the results of this action research, teachers will be better equipped to motivate their students with proven strategies to accomplish this goal.

As stated in proposition 4, teachers take risks and adopt an experimental and problem solving orientation.  This research highlights my ability to contribute to the effectiveness of the foreign language division of our school district by working collaboratively with other foreign language teachers to develop a method to strengthen speaking proficiency skills.  In addition, I worked collaboratively with the media specialists in the school and the district’s technology specialists to incorporate the technology of Blackboard Voice Board.  Through collaboration, we were able to troubleshoot and solve technology issues that occurred during the project, which addresses proposition 5 and working collaboratively with other professionals.  

The artifact I am showcasing for Research allowed me to draw on my knowledge of subject matter and instruction to strengthen my teaching. In addition, this research also allowed me to critically examine my practice, seek to expand my repertoire, deepen my knowledge, sharpen my judgment and adapt my teaching to new findings. 

This artifact addresses the Core Value of Expertise in Research at Valley City State University.  This research demonstrates my knowledge of research tools necessary to actively engage in educational research and understand basic statistics.  In addition, it highlights my understanding of current theories of qualitative and quantitative research in writing an action research paper.   

I will be able to use the knowledge gained in this course to benefit me as an educator by teaching me the value of collaboration with my colleagues.  I am now more aware of strategies that motivate students to become proficient in speaking a second language. This role of researcher has afforded me a new role as an educator.  I was able to share my knowledge with fellow foreign language teachers in a district-wide workshop.  As a result of my findings, I will be instructing other foreign language teachers in a staff development course about using Blackboard as a means to improve their students’ speaking skills.  

In order to enhance student learning in the future, I will continue to research strategies that will enhance speaking skills in foreign language learning. I will continue to use the results of this research project to motivate my students to speak without fear. The success of this research revealed that when students are allowed more frequent opportunities to speak, they are more likely to improve their speaking proficiency.