Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3897-0748

Date Available

12-15-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Education

Department/School/Program

Education Sciences

Faculty

Ryan Crowley

Faculty

Jennifer Wilhelm

Abstract

This paper examines how well the introduction of an integrated approach, namely, Project-based Instruction (PBI), which uses real-world contexts to investigate problems, leads to improved academic performance and student motivation in a 9th Grade Geometry class studying three-dimensional figures and their properties. The experimental group worked through the researcher-designed unit that included mini-lessons, six benchmark lessons, and the design and creation of a final product to address the driving question of the unit. The comparison group experienced a normative teaching strategy designed by the classroom teacher. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was chosen for the proposed study to address the ways that the qualitative data helps to explain and conceptualize the quantitative results. Quantitative and qualitative data from pre- and post-surveys, pre- and post- tests, observations, and semi-structured interviews were collected and analyzed to determine if any significant difference in performance and geometrical thinking had occurred. While there were limitations to the study, findings indicated that the experimental group had improvements in their academic performance and geometrical thinking after experiencing PBI.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.555

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