Date

4-2017

Department

School of Education

Degree

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Chair

Gary Kimball

Keywords

Accelerated Math, Boredom, Contract Activity Packages, Engagement, Gender Differences, Gifted

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction | Curriculum and Social Inquiry | Education | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Educational Psychology | Other Education | Science and Mathematics Education

Abstract

There is currently a lack of research aimed at determining the boredom level experienced by sixth grade students participating in an accelerated math class, as well as suitable strategies aimed at helping students avoid it. This quantitative quasi-experimental static-group comparison study investigated boredom levels with the implementation of Contract Activity Packages (CAPs), a strategy specifically related to combatting boredom for gifted and talented students, into a sixth-grade accelerated math class. Data were collected from 138 sixth-grade students participating in an accelerated math class via the boredom scale of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire – Mathematics (AEQ-M) and analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and a one-way analysis of variance. Results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the boredom levels of sixth-grade students participating in an accelerated math class who received and did not receive CAPs, regardless of gender or giftedness. These results imply that the use of CAPs might not be a suitable strategy to use in order to prevent the presence of boredom in the classroom setting, or that the CAPs were not effectively designed. Thus, more research in this particular field of education is recommended.

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