Overview The purpose of this study was to determine if student-led presentations motivate students to learn actively and to achieve higher in high school biology. Afrodita Fuentes Belmont High School

Summary of Findings 1. Do student-led presentations motivate students to learn actively? Only half of the students reported being motivated to earn a better grade in biology However, when students were the presenters, they did not feel valued by their peers, but their peers claimed to value them Presentations was the only activity in which almost all students participated – even the disruptive and unmotivated students

Summary of Findings (cont’d) 2. Do student-led presentations lead to higher achievement? Presentation scores improved by 7.8 points (regular biology) and 8.5 points (honors biology) after 5 presentations Students asked genuine academic questions – some became the “questioners” In general, all students were eager to find out how much they improved in each consecutive presentation **Student’s final percentage grade in biology B was higher than the final percentage in biology A

Conclusions Student-led presentations is a potentially efficient learning strategy for Highlighting student abilities and talents Helping students realize their potential Making students accountable in the learning process Empowering students to take control and ownership of their own learning

Recommendations Student-led presentations need a nurturing, yet rigorous and consistent learning environments Discussions with students about what is working and what is not, leads to students taking more responsibility to improve situations The value students perceive from others for what they do in class, can be a powerful motivator or a deep detriment to learning.

Limitations Topics for student-led presentations need to be familiar, interesting, visible, and tangible to students Presentation rubrics must display all expectations A plethora of resources and ideas need to be available for students to begin responsibly preparing for their presentations Students need to feel free and valued to express themselves Teachers, be prepared to feel “not needed!”

The Future My small learning community has adopted student-led presentations in Math, Foreign Language, History, and Biology I will continue refining my student-led presentations Most, inner-city students (classified as low- performers) have low self-esteem and feel incapable of learning, especially science Student-led presentations provide students with a stage (tools and opportunities) to see and personally experience academic success