Heather's EDET636 Blog

Essential Question: How will data collection ‘look’ for me? What challenges am I anticipating? The purpose of my project is to conduct action research into the application of technology to continue learning during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 global pandemic. I have decided to conduct research during this pandemic by gathering information from my colleagues and students about their use of technology, comfort level with technology, and where they obtain help from during this remote learning time. This will be done through a survey of WPSD middle school and high school teachers and about 55 WHS students. My survey includes a variety of questions directed towards investigating the following questions: Which technology tools proved most effective for digital education at secondary level? Where teachers and students obtained technology support during the transitional time to remote teaching? If and how the comfort level of using technology changed from the beginning to th...

Essential Question: What literature will inform your research? My literature review will summarize several different studies about using technology-enhanced learning. My primary goal was to learn more about the use of technology during the COVID-19 global pandemic. I plan to use the knowledge gained about technology integration in the classroom to improve my curriculum so that it is project-based, relevant, and engaging. Most importantly, I want to understand the best educational technology tools available in order to provide students with meaningful opportunities during possible future school closures that require distance education. My resources will be the following:  Burns, M. (2018). Tasks Before Apps : Designing Rigorous Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom. ASCD. Cullen, E. (2018, September 10). What is Technology Enhanced Learning, and why is it important? Retrieved May 17, 2020, from https://www.mentimeter.com/blog/interactive-classrooms/what-is-technology-enhanced-l...

Essential Question: What will you have to know and do to begin your research? While researching this essential question, I came across this video and I found it so helpful because it lays out each of the steps of action research. “Action research starts with your own observations, experiences, and inquiry and continues through a process of discovery” (Spencer, 2019). To begin my action research it is important that I reflect on my teaching and observe my students’ learning to figure out exactly what it is that I want to explore. Then I must define my research question and be sure that it is something that can be tested. Rust and Clark (p. 5) stated, “The hardest part of designing an action research study is framing a good question." They offer many suggestions for writing a good question which include writing a first draft, sharing with a colleague, and reframing your question to be researchable. Since public education as we know it has been turned upside down this spring...

Essential Question: How is Qualitative Research a good lens through which to view classroom research? Qualitative research is “any kind of research that produces findings that are not arrived by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification” (Hatch, 2002). Qualitative research is a good lens through which to view classroom research because it allows us to look at our students as more than just numbers. "Qualitative research focuses in understanding a research query as a humanistic or idealistic approach" (Kalra et al., 2013). It is used to "understand people's beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behavior, and interactions [and it] gives voice to the participants in the study. It permits the participants to share their experiences" (Kalra et al., 2013). The goal of classroom research is to better understand how effectively we teach our students and provide us with information to change future practices in order to improve. "It is no...

Essential Question: What is classroom research and how can it improve teaching and learning in my classroom? Classroom research is a “process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully, using the techniques of research" (Ferrance, 2000). The research is done within the teacher's environment and is meant to inform and change future practices in order for the teacher to be better at their craft. While a teacher may work independently on a classroom research project, it is also common for a number of teachers or administrators to collaborate on a problem. There are numerous benefits to performing classroom research. "Foremost among these is simply the desire to know more. Good teachers are, after all, themselves students, and often look for ways to expand upon their existing knowledge" (Ferrance, 2000). Research and reflecting on the outcome allows teachers to grow and improve. "Action research projects influen...