Annotated Bibliography
Department of Education, Liberty University
Michelle Dempsey
EDUC 701: Advanced Learning Theory and Research
Annotated Bibliography
Bethel University Online. (2019). Class Size Matters: Understanding the Link between Class
Size and Student Achievement. https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/class-size-matters-
understanding-the-link-between-class-size-and-student-
achievement/#:~:text=When%20teachers%20have%20more%20time,to%20the%20lessons%2C
%20as%20well.
This article discusses how research has shown that class sizes can affect the quality of
education. This article states that according to research a class size being reduced by 32%
increased the student achievement. This article also talked about the other benefits of
smaller class sizes. It was stated that class size is a reason that teachers leave their jobs. It
is believed that students can establish stronger relationships with their instructors when in
a smaller class setting. The opportunity for more personalized instruction would be
possible if a small class size was considered.
Blatchford, P., Bassett, P., & Brown, P. (2011). Examining the effect of class size on classroom
engagement and teacher-pupil interaction: Differences in relation to pupil prior
attainment and primary vs. secondary schools. Learning and Instruction, 21(6), 715-730.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2011.04.001
This research paper was written by Peter Blatchford, Paul Bassett, and Penelope Brown.
The concentration of this paper was based on how the class sizes could affect student
behavior as well as classroom interactions. For this research, there were 686 students
involved from 49 different schools that were gathered from primary and secondary levels.
Based on the data, the students that were in smaller classes were receiving more one-on-
one attention and instruction as well as more interactions with the teachers and students.
At the secondary level, it was confirmed that the students who benefited the most were
the low performing individuals. It was also confirmed that the low income students that
live in high poverty areas would benefit the most with small classes at the primary level.
This paper was broken down into specific categories and made it easier to access. The
categories were grade level, male or female, and if the student was a high, medium, or
low achiever. The designing of the research was also discussed in this paper.
Clark, K.R. (2018). Learning theories: Behaviorism. Radio Technology, 90(2), 172-175
http://radiologictechnology.org/content/90/2/172.extract
In this article, behaviorism is defined and is explained how it is related to teaching and
learning. The educational theorists are mentioned and how they differ on the subject of
teaching students effectively. This article also goes into detail on the theorists views
about how students learn. In this article, the works of Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner are
talked about it detail. It explains the difference between classical conditioning and
operant conditioning. Examples were given by the author in this article and they were
related to education that go hand in hand with teaching and learning.
Higgins, J. (2014). Does class size matter? Research reveals surprises. The Seattle Times.
According to this article, at least 40 states have done class size reductions in the past 15
years. Some states have pledged to have no more than 17 kids in the class from grades
Kindergarten to third. This article mentions how it would cost more money if the class
sizes were reduced. More money would need to be put into more staff and more teachers.
“Project STAR” was used in several states to compare the academic performance with
the students. Some of the results showed that larger class sizes have students in the back
playing and not paying attention. Whereas in a smaller class setting, students are more
engaged and teachers are able to give one on one instruction at times. Some would argue
that and say that teachers don’t change their way of teaching just because of their class
size. They don’t change how they teach it or how much time they spend on individual
students.
Mclean, R. (2017). Life in Schools and Classrooms. Past, Present, and Future. Springer.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1007/978-981-10-3654-5
In this book, the author reminisces on the changes that have occurred in education over
the years. As he talks about the changes, he also mentions policy changes that have made
an impact within the classroom. The author discusses how there have been changes in the
developments for SOL’s (State of Learning Tests). He also talks about the advantages
and disadvantages of the class sizes. When it comes to the class sizes, there are a
significant amount of viewpoints on that from all different kinds of professionals. In this
book, the author considers all of the professional’s viewpoints when talking about
teaching and learning.
