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ERIC Number: EJ804100
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1940-4476
EISSN: N/A
Why Kids Need to Be Bored: A Case Study of Self-Reflection and Academic Performance
Williams, James D.
RMLE Online: Research in Middle Level Education, v29 n5 p1-17 2006
This case study involved 3 middle school students in an assessment of the influence of self-reflection on general academic performance. It was hypothesized that increased self-reflection would have a positive influence on academic performance as measured by grades on tests, writing assignments, and homework. The participants were ages 13.4, 13.5, and 13.8. The study covered 3 months and was divided into two stages. During the first stage (month 1), the participants kept daily logs of all activities and were asked to write in their personal journals for 15 min each day. Logs indicated that participants devoted an average of 42.2 hrs per week to watching TV, playing computer and video games, listening to music, and talking on the telephone. During the second stage (months 2 and 3), participants limited TV, computer and video games, music, and telephone time to 30 min per day; in the time made free thereby, they were to read, sit quietly, write in their journals, meet with friends, and so on, provided these activities did not include any of the proscribed activities. Two of the participants dropped out of the study within 2 weeks, stating that they could not bear the lack of electronic activities. The remaining participant succeeded in modifying her schedule, followed by improvement in overall academic performance. (Contains 6 tables and 2 figures.)
National Middle School Association. 4151 Executive Parkway Suite 300, Westerville, OH 43081. Tel: 800-528-6672; Tel: 800-528-6672; Fax: 614-895-4750; e-mail: info@nmsa.org; Web site: http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/RMLEOnline/Articles/tabid/101/Default.aspx
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A