I had several wanderings that I wanted to research closer. Being the people person I am I was very
interested in staff morale, campus culture and parental involvement. As I began to discuss my ideas my principal
suggested I take on the iPad 1:1 implementation. I have to admit I was a little
hesitant being that I am just a regular classroom teacher not a technology
specialist. Not having any real
experience with completing an action research project and doing one concerning
technology has proven to be a challenge within itself.
As I began my action research project I realized I had stated to broad of
a question with to many variables to measure.
Since EDLD 5301 I have restated by question and narrowed in on only one
variable to measure. My Action Research data
collection has been progressing very well.
I have collected the State assessment
data from the 2011-2012 school year and will be receiving the 2012-2013 data at
the end of the school year. I have
collected and analyzed benchmark data from the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school
year. It has been hard to say if the improvement we saw on the benchmark scores
where a direct result of the iPads or the change in our scheduling.
The majority of my data has been
in casual conversation and journaling with other teachers and students. Teachers
have gone from overwhelmed to excited, frustrated to overwhelmed again all
within a 3 month time period. We did not
roll out our iPads until the middle of December, which did provide teachers
time to prepare, but nothing compares to the real thing. Students have also gone though a variety of
feelings concerning the iPads, which has lead to a few issues. As a campus we have discussed our concerns
with the program and changes that we would like to put into action next year.
The hardest part I have encountered is the article review. There are so
many articles concerning technology integration I have had a difficult time
narrowing my search, and I am not exactly sure as to what I am looking for. I
started my article review early as recommended, and ended up rewriting my
research question.
I have compiled an outline of where my research is taking me and what I
want to further research. I am
interesting in seeing if other schools faced similar attitudes and problems
when first implementing their programs.
· State Assessment data
comparison
o
2011-2012 state scores: 8th
grade Math: ELA: SS: Science:
o
2012-2013 state scores: to be
determined
o
2011-2012 Benchmark scores
o
2012-2013 Benchmark scores
· Teachers Comments and
attitudes toward the implementation:
o
Through our teacher focus group
· Problems encountered by
teachers:
o
Students appear unfocused
o
Games, music and social media during class time.
o
Updating iPads, time it takes and loss of materials
o
Online workstation
o
Implementing technology with our district purchased curriculum.
· Benefits to implementation:
o
Paper and copier use decreasing
o
Decrease loss of notes and materials
o
Organization of work for students
o
Less time spent copying work and papers
o
App list being organized
·
Different uses for Ipads:
o Math: flipped classroom
videos, access to the internet for research, Socrative quizzes, Study Island
o ELA: notecards, video
projects, access to the internet for research
o Science: notes, flashcards,
access to the internet for research, Socrative quizzes, Study Island
o Social Studies: access to
the internet for research, flashcards, keynotes
