Prin, Theory, Models
Principals, Theories, and Models
Understand many theories and models, choosing from among them appropriately and applying them effectively.
Artifacts
Project Description
In EDTEC 690, we were required to conduct a research study. I chose to research the use of Student Response Systems (SRS) in the classroom. I collected data, made analysis, and wrote a report.
Outcomes
During the creation of my 690 SRS case study, I analyzed, synthesized, used inductive and deductive reasoning, and solved problems effectively and creatively. This process, taught by Minjuan Wang afforded me the opportunity to move through the research process. I first had to identify an issue to analyze, develop a tool to collect data; then interpret the data and try to discover some meaning from the findings. Later on in the course, my initial research, along with the research of the other members of my group, formed a much larger case study on How Student Response Systems Have Impacted Student Learning in the Madera Unified School District. I was also able to develop competence with the software for quantitative analyses the use of the survey tool Survey Monkey. This included the development of survey questions, as well as creating graphical displays and tables.
Challenges & Opportunities
The easiest part of this project was identifying a valid research question. Our district had just invested a large sum of money on SRS units for many elementary classrooms. This was done without any real look buy the people making the purchases as to whether they actually made a difference or not. After reviewing the literature, I came up with several hypotheses to investigate, and began to data collection. It was relatively easy to collect data from existing sources. One concern I had was deciding when I had enough literature to begin this process. I sorted through all my references and deleted = references that began to repeat and when the similarities, the differences, and the models that the researchers used were similar. Some of my hypotheses proved difficult to prove or discount because of the short amount of time given to us to complete the research.
Lessons Learned
This project allowed me to complete a research project using a framework of academic inquiry. I began with a subject and a hypothesis that I was interested in. It was also research that should have been done prior to the purchase of so may SRS units for our classrooms. Though the research, I was forced to modify my initial hypothesis several times as I review the current literature and collecting data. Finally, I reported the findings by writing a formal research paper. Although it was not as in-depth research as one might of hoped, the methodology and systematic thinking strategies increased my appreciation of the use of data in professional research.
I learned that the theories of others about topics that I am interested in are valuable. Other minds provide me with views of their thoughts, which help me see models or ideas that can change or reinforce my hypotheses. These theories stretch and reform my thought.
And in the process, I am able to see how inquiry makes me a better performance technologist.
