Example education dissertation topic 11:

An evaluation of the effectiveness of ‘traffic lighting’ in improving classroom management: A case study of two ‘at risk’ schools in Coventry

As a means of classroom discipline, the ‘traffic light’ approach espoused by Young has, too many within the sector, revolutionised classroom management. Allowing the immediate focusing of additional resources upon children most in need of support, the traffic light system not only empowers the practitioner and the learner (on task) but also enables immediate informal assessment to be carried out in the classroom setting. This dissertation looks at the positive effects that the introduction of the system has had with specific regard to two schools on the ‘at risk’ register in Coventry and evaluates them against national benchmark figures.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Ginnis, P. (2002) The teacher’s toolkit: Raise classroom achievement with strategies for every learner. Carmarthen: Crown House.
• Marquardt, M. (2006) Action learning. Reston, VA: ASTD.
• McKenna, N. (2005) Daring to dream: Raising the achievement of 14 to 16 year old asylum-seeking and refugee children and young people. London: Refugee Council.
• Young, E. (2006) ‘Exploring formative assessment: some approaches and techniques to reflect on’. Highland Virtual Learning Community [online] Available at: http://www.hvlc.org.uk/ace/aifl/docs/highlandmodel/ExploringFormativeAssessmentPractices.pdf [accessed 26 May 2012].