Week One
What is classroom research and how can it improve technology integration in my classroom?
Classroom research is
"characterized as research that is done by teachers for themselves.” (Mertler, 6)
The four steps for classroom research as outlined by Mertler are:
- Identifying an area of focus
- Collecting data
- Analyzing and interpreting the data
- Developing a plan of action
The first step to me
seems like it will be the hardest. I
have been thinking about an area of focus that I would like to explore, but I
have not come up with anything as of yet.
I am however, looking forward to collecting and analyzing the data that
I am able to collect in my classroom. Some
of the ways I will collect data include; writing a "journal, diaries,
notes, audio and videotape recordings, surveys, attitude scales, pictures and
so on.” (Pg. 17 McNiff) I also think some sort of informal pre and
post questionnaire with the students will be valuable information.
Finally, developing a plan will be something that I look forward to as well.
The teacher conducts
classroom research and the teacher is the one who gets to ask the question,
conducts the evaluation and assessment. This is not research as you might
think of the word but rather a way for teachers to "look at [their] own
work to check that it is as you would like it to be.” (McNiff, 6)
Even though my district
is thought of as a technology savvy school district, I do not believe that we
are. Sure students know how to get
online and look answers up, they know how to social media, but they do not
really know how to use the programs (word, excel, PowerPoint) that are provided
on our computers. Unfortunately for me, if I want to use computers with
my students either I have to reserve the library or computer cart, both of
which are located at the opposite end of the school. Students have their phones, but we turn the Wi-Fi
off during the day, so only kids with data plans are able to utilize their
devices. In a semester, I utilize the computer lab a couple of times in a
personal finance course that I teach but that is it.
This year we are using a
new learning management system (LMS) but the students are not as engaged in it,
as I would like. This LMS has the
ability to have document, websites, and online quizzes available to students
24/7. When I have looked at the statistics showing how many time students
log into the site or how long they stay, I do not like what the data shows me.
I believe that I can
improve the technology use in my classroom by using our LMS more. I think this may be the way my classroom
research should lean towards. I
currently post notes, helpful websites and warm up problems on the class pages
of our LMS, but there has to be a better way to utilize this technology.
An article from edutopia suggests that "content-specific apps and websites
that focus on math learning with the use of virtual manipulatives are highly
effective, and in some cases more efficient that physical manipulatives."
(Picha)
This generation of
student are considered to be "digital natives.” (Devlin) They "grew up with
technology, function best when networked, thrive on instant gratification and
frequent rewards, prefer graphics before text, prefer random access and expect
adults to consult and include them.” (Devlin)
In summary, I am looking
forward to developing an action plan. I
think it is something that will be helpful. I am curious to see what
other teachers have come up with for ideas.
Citations:
Devlin,
T. J., Feldhaus, C. R., & Bentrem, K. M. (1970, January 1). JTE v25n1 - The
Evolving Classroom: A Study of Traditional and Technology-Based Instruction in
a STEM Classroom. Retrieved from
https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v25n1/devlin.html
McNiff,
J. (2010). Action research for
professional development: concise advice for new action researchers. Poole: September Books.
Mertler,
C. A. (n.d.). Action Research. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=CUifDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=examples+of+action+research+in+schools&ots=2rhWK9ICYd&sig=nwQwn6FDyfGr8Q_LmhY6vEYN3-g#v=onepage&q=examples
of action research in schools&f=false.
Picha,
G. (2018, October 17). Effective Technology Use in Math Class. Retrieved from
https://www.edutopia.org/article/effective-technology-use-math-class
Hi Keri,
ReplyDeleteI face many of the same roadblocks. We no longer have computers as they were replaced by i pads. It's rather frustrating when we get training and then, for example, try downloading math manipulatives and it doesn't go right.
I am curious to know which LMS system your district is using? Aside from google classroom, I don't know of any others being used here. I think it would be wonderful to have so many options located in one place.
Thanks.
A few years ago we adopted Schoology as our LMS and then two years ago we moved to PowerSchool. So it has been a little frustrating so spend so much time adding content to one system just to have to change a few years later. There is a lot of potential with PowerSchool, however after the initial training we have not had much support with how to best utilize it in our classrooms.
DeleteHi Keri, great post and lots to think about. I would agree with the person who commented above in that many of my students have iPads but would struggle with using the basic computer programs you mentioned above (word, excel, powerpoint). Yes, they are getting more exposed to newer and probably more exciting programs but the ones you listed are still very important in the real world. I also use Google Classroom along with Seesaw (online portfolio) for students to post their work so myself and parents have the ability to see, reflect, and comment on what they are working on. Maybe an area of focus could simply be creating a school wide survey (Google Forms) and finding out what students want or need to be successful and how they see using technology to benefit their own education.
ReplyDeleteI think surveying the students is a great idea. I'm sure they would come up with some really interesting ways to use technology.
DeleteWe currently use PowerSchool as our LMS and aside from the initial training we receive we have not had much support on how to integrate it into our classrooms. We are supposed to be upgrading our assessment package with PowerSchool next month, so we will be able to create dynamic questions for the students. This includes a graphing calculator, ability to insert images and text boxes, sliders, etc. I'm hopeful that the training we receive is helpful.
Hi Keri, (and others)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with all of you that we don't teach students how to use Microsoft office any more. Each middle and high school student in our district has a laptop assigned to them but we don't teach them how to use the programs. In high school we don't have a computer technology class.
I plan on teaching some of Excel during my personal finance class but I have to reteach myself and research.
I want to focus my research on makerspace/DIY projects
Identifying an area of focus - STEM and makerspaces classrooms.
Collecting data - on of the classes I took this summer, i learned about makerspaces. I jumped at the opportunity to have an elective science class.
Analyzing and interpreting the data - want to look at attendance, the students ability to be confident in themselves (hard), and how this class helps with reading, math, engineering, exploring, brainstorming,
Developing a plan of action - plan is already in action with the class. We are learning as we go right now.
I would enjoy teaching excel in my personal finance class as well and have looked around for some lessons online but I haven't found any that I like. I too would have to reteach myself.
DeleteIt sounds like you have a great idea for your action research. It will be interesting to look at attendance, that is a pretty big issue with my school.
Sometimes a problem can just pop up during one of my lessons. I'm looking for a system for recording my thoughts when they do. I'm trying to decide if I should hang a clip board up and dedicate it to problems. Do you have any ideas?
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about a problem that nobody can solve or a problem that could be used in a later lesson?
DeleteIf I think of something I would like to try in my lesson, I usually write it down with whatever paper I have around me at the time....planner, meeting agenda or sometimes I use the note feature of my Iphone.
Really great post! I have a lot of the same issues with students and technology. We had a computer class in my high school that taught us how to use many of the essential programs. That seems to have gone away almost everywhere. We fortunately have 1 to 1 laptops in our middle and high schools, but they are rarely used for the right purposes.
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely agree that the first step is the hardest. We are always trying to teach meaningful, engaging lessons. To self evaluate an area of concern was the hardest for me.
I also remember taking a computer class in high school that taught me how to type, use shortcuts, and some of the other features of the computer 20 years ago. We are entertaining the idea of adding a computer science graduation requirement at our my school. There would be a test out option for students who can show they are proficient but I wonder what that number might be. I bet it is pretty low. We are hoping for the requirement to be installed by the upcoming school year, but I'm not sure it will happen that fast.
DeleteWow, this is really a hot topic. Why don't we teach them how to use the laptop efficiently and effectively? I think ipads and other tablets have had their day and are slowly disappearing in favor of smartphones and laptops. It seems students have laptops and cellphones, so why do they need a tablet? But, if they are going to research, write, compute, calculate and communicate, they will need to know how to use search engines, word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation programs.
ReplyDeleteWe currently do not have a computer graduation requirement in Sitka. This is something that most of the high school teachers would support. I believe our administration is going to bring this to the school board this spring. Students get a semester of computer instruction in the middle school and then unless they take a class at the high school, do not have any other instruction. I would enjoy integrating excel into my personal finance course but I have not dedicated the time to relearn (and create) lessons.
Delete