Meghan ​Mosher's ePORTFOLIO

Step 2—Clarifying Theories

The second step involves identifying the values, beliefs, and theoretical perspectives the researchers hold relating to their focus. For example, if teachers are concerned about increasing responsible classroom behavior, it will be helpful for them to begin by clarifying which approach—using punishments and rewards, allowing students to experience the natural consequences of their behaviors, or some other strategy—they feel will work best in helping students acquire responsible classroom behavior habits. A literature search is often helpful--what does the literature say regarding your research question?

 

The resources I used for investigating digital learning included the MoHi BYOD website, as well as EduTopia. EduTopia recently compiled a list of resources for its recent celebration of Digital Learning Day in March, 2015.

 

http://www.edutopia.org/digital-learning-technology-resources

 

From the list of research articles, the most helpful was EduTopia's own Technology Integration Research Review, and Beth Holland's Building Technology Fluency: Preparing Students to be Digital Learners.

 

 

 

While reading these articles it was clear that students come to our classrooms with different levels or experience and comfort using technology. As teachers we are responsible for not only teaching our content, but also in the digital age, we expected to teach students how to use technology, and how to use it safely in order to become a digital citizen. Holland writes that "by supporting the development of students' technology fluency, we are preparing them to become digital learners who are able to construct new tools and objects, communicate ideas and solve new problems."

 

In a school in which digital learning is central to our mission and vision, I was curious what barriers students were still encountering when faced with the option of creating a website or a poster for an Immune System project.

 

Step 3—Identifying Research Questions

Once a focus area has been selected and the researcher's perspectives and beliefs about that focus have been clarified, the next step is to generate a set of personally meaningful research questions to guide the inquiry.

 

Statement of Research

How can I better support my students in using new digital tools, like a website?

What reasons are students giving for why they still choose paper assignments over digital?

Would websites or posters yield a higher score when used as the format for an Immune System Research Project?