Robin W Watkins University of Missouri Action Research Plan 2
Abstract Most of the year, I coach Junior League Wrestling. There is a tournament at Jefferson City High School each season for 5-13 year old competitors. It is a very immense, with over 600 wrestlers, competition. Throughout the day, I have to journey from one side of the gym to the other. As I strolled by, I noticed the kids that were waiting for their bouts. I noticed they all had something in common while sitting in the stands or waiting on the side of the mat. Majority of the kids, even toddlers, were occupied with a handheld device. They tapped and slid their fingertips on Tablets, IPads, and Touch-Screen Phones. After the tournament, what I noticed stuck with me for a while. Children walking at the mall, at the playground, and even at my daughters swim practice are occupied by Tablets/ Handheld Devices. Furthermore, it has been brought to my attention that a local High School has issued IPads to the entire student body. The other two local high schools, only for the honor students, do also. Area of Focus Statement My area of focus is to analyze the value of students using tablets routinely in the classroom. There are mixed emotions and responses to the validity, long-term or short, of their use. Some teachers feel that they are a distraction. That the students are preoccupied with the gaming or social networking features. On the other hand, there are teachers that laud the use of this convenient technology. These educators feel that it is the future of education. They say it saves money, is easy to monitor, and the utility provide an abundance of advantages.
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Related Literature Technology can be a double-edged sword if not used correctly. In my search for evidence of the value of Tablets used in school, I have found more pros than cons! For example, Thompson (2012) states, In just a month, Superintendent Michael Salvatore said reading ability levels across all three grades jumped by what he would expect in six months of book-based study. Here is proof of a New York school that shows exponential progress from Tablet Integration. According to ProCon.org (2014), opponents of tablets say that they are expensive, too distracting for students, easy to break, and costly/time-consuming to fix. This seems to be the constant, distractions and feasibility, in regards to the cons. Nevertheless, Project Tomorrow reports that 27 percent of middle school and 35 percent of high school students use digital textbooks. On top of that, the Pearson Foundation reports that 58 percent of college students prefer a digital format for textbooks. Tablets and e-readers are the ideal windows for that content. Hill (2012) Even though it may sound clich, the future is now! Though tablets are a recent phenomenon, many students in high school and college have been using smartphones for years, and are already well-acquainted with touchscreen technology. Madan (2011) The literature that I have chosen has emphasized the receptiveness of students to use Tablets. Having the teachers enthusiasm match their students will be the key. Research Questions What are the advantages and disadvantages of students using tablets in the classroom? Should there be a specific grade level to begin integration of this technology on the regular bases? Action Research Plan 4
How can we help reluctant educators see the benefit of incorporating this technology into their lesson plans? What are the strong points of the apposed educators? Would the feasibility of tablets hinder the budget for other educational resources? How will parents feel about tablets over textbooks? Data Collection My strategy will begin with the interviews with the administration. Upon receiving permission and authority to exercise my plan, I will survey students first. After, I will meet with the teachers in a focus group and have them fill-out the prepared questionnaires. From there, I will observe the teacher-student interaction in contrast to the findings from the survey and questionnaire. Once I have gathered enough data, I will study the records of the years prior to integration to grasp the scope of value. Data Sources Conventional Sources o Survey- Students will be surveyed first. They will be asked a mixture of convergent and divergent questions to gather superb data. We want to reveal what they know, dont know, want to learn, and have no interest in at all. This survey will allow them to have an impact on the research that will help them directly. Student Survey Action Research Plan 5
1. Have you ever used a Tablet prior to using them in school? (Circle one) YES NO 2. How many hours a day do you use your Tablet? A) 1-2 B) 3-5 C) 6-9 D) 10-12 E) 12+ 3. What do you use the Tablet for? (Circle all that apply) Games Research Internet Reading Webcam Other- __________ 4. Do they make school work easier or more difficult? A) Easier B) No Change C) Harder 5. What other devices or technology would you like to use? ___________________________________________________________________________ 6. How well does your teacher understand how to use the Tablet? A) Very Well B) Good C) Average D) Doesnt have a clue! o Questionnaire (Appendix D) - Teachers are asked to answer open-ended questions that will provide information requested by design. It will also all them to provide further information they deem pertinent or omitted from the questionnaire. Interviews - Administration, Teachers, and Students will be interviewed before, during, and after the research plan has been implemented. Interviews provide real-time data that is immediately available. Action Research Plan 6
Observations I will take field notes as a passive observer. My purpose would be for data collection only. Seeing the student and teacher in their natural setting will help view any clandestine variables not previously considered. Data Analysis Plans My Data Analysis plan will begin with a brief Student Survey. I intend to gather raw information from the primary demographic prior to engaging the teachers. By doing so may help generate data or behavior teachers are not aware of. A questionnaire for the Teachers will be given after all Student Surveys have been gathered and analyzed. The questionnaires allow the teachers to provide valuable information requested and also a comments area at the bottom to add further incite that may prove fruitful. After comparing the responses from both students and educators, I will observe the classroom in its normal setting. I will not interact with the natural flow of the class. Nevertheless, I will take note of the time of use, subjects studied, grade level, and student-teacher interactions. Last, I will compare the current students grades with prior year performance from the same school and national average. References Thompson, B. (n.d.). NJ Middle School Uses Tablet Computers Instead of Books. NBC New York. Retrieved February 10, 2014, from http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Tablets-Instead-of-Books- Long-Branch-Middle-School-NJ-150054085.html Hill, S. (n.d.). How tablets are invading the classroom. Digital Trends. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/tablets-invading-the-classroom/#!ziaaF Madan, V. (n.d.). Mashable. Mashable. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://mashable.com/2011/05/16/tablets-education/ Tablets vs. Textbooks - ProCon.org. (n.d.). ProConorg Headlines. Retrieved March 1, 2014, from http://tablets-textbooks.procon.org/ Action Research Plan 7
Mkaufman. (n.d.). iPad in Schools. iPad in Schools. Retrieved March 1, 2014, from http://www.ipadinschools.com/author/mkaufman/ Toppo, G. (2013, March 6). Can classroom tablets revolutionize education?. USA Today. Retrieved March 6, 2014, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/06/amplify-tablet- education/1964389/
Appendix A Table 1 Literature Matrix Author(s) Year Variables Considered in the Study Comprehension Level Technology Use/Impact Relevance Solutions Provided Cooperative Learning Madan, Vineet 2011 X X X X Hill, Simon 2012 X X X X X Thompson, Brian 2012 X X X X X Toppo, Greg 2013 X X X X Mkaufman 2013 X X X X ProCon.org 2014 X X X X X
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Appendix B Table 2 Triangulation Matrix Exercise Research Questions Data Source 1 2 3 4 How can the integration of tablets be made acceptable to both the student and teacher? Student Survey Teacher Questionnaire Collect data from prior year records Analyze the contrast between studens,teacher s, and prior records What does the student need to make the integration of Tablets a valuable experience? Focus Group Interview Students and Teachers Teacher Questionnaire Observation/Fie ld notes What needs to be done to help reluctant teachers? Teacher Questionnaire Interviews Observation/F ield notes Focus Group
Appendix C: Data Analysis Matrix
Data Collection Technique Data Analysis Strategy 1 2 3 Student Survey Collect data from surveys to Organize data by grade, rank, and sex Use findings to help contrast prior year without Tablets Teacher Questionnaire Collect data from questionnaires Organize data by subject, grade, and other comments Use findings to help contrast prior year without Tablets their teachers. Action Research Plan 9
Observation
Observe the subjects the Tablets are used for.
Observe the amount of time they are used during the class period throughout the day. Observe the teachers level of competency and the students ability to stay on task Test Scores
Establish a base score from the prior year without Tablets Compare the prior year to the current year scores per semester Use scores to expose variables that contribute to improvement or decline in performance
Appendix D: Teacher Questionnaire This questionnaire has been designed to gather pertinent information in regards to Tablet use in the classroom. Take your time, and answer each question to the best of your ability. At the bottom of the questionnaire is an area for any further concerns, questions, or comments you may have. 1) How familiar are you with Tablets and their functions?
2) Are your students engaged during lectures or distracted by the Tablets?
3) Do the students understand the functions of the Tablets prior to receiving them for class? If not, how well are they trained to use them properly?
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4) Has the integration of Tablets increased or decreased your workload?
5) Are the students performing better on tests, quizzes, classwork, and homework with Tablet use?
6) What has been your greatest challenge since the integration of Tablets?
7) What common problems do your students express to you?
8) What ages or grades do you think Tablets are appropriate for in their daily curriculum?
Digital Tools for Learning, Creating, and Thinking: Developmentally Appropriate Strategies for Early Childhood Educators: Developmentally Appropriate Strategies for Early Childhood Educators