6.+Research+Plan+(draft)



Running head: Effective Technologies for the Middle School Special Education Student, MEDT 8484, Research Plan

Research Plan: Effective Technologies for the Middle School Special Education Student Carlene Bailey University of West Georgia MEDT 8484

=Introduction= My topic of choice is “Technologies to Enhance Learning for the Middle School Special Education Student”. Why the interest? I would like to further my expertise in this area, as a teacher of special education students in the middle school. The results of delving into this topic will have a direct and positive influence on decisions and lessons I create in the future.

We are making the shift from teachers as providers of information to facilitators of learning. (Citation?) This new generation of learners demands the expanded use of technology in education. Teachers who use technology have found that most students possess increased motivation, enthusiasm and self-esteem. (Citation?) Students are more receptive to exploring information, more prone to take risks and can also extend learning to a greater breadth and depth of information.

I find this topic to be interesting; it fits my past training; it is compatible to my current and future employment, and it provides an outlet for presentation in order to communicate with a larger community. This is not a “trendy” subject. Research of this type will help me to sharpen my critical thinking skills. This will help me to learn to ask the right questions, and make informed judgments about a course of action. I will not have to accept something as true, but in doing the research into this topic, can find supporting evidence for my use of technology use in the special needs classroom. The specific challenges of the special needs students in regards to the uses of technology have not been extensively researched. According to (Kim, A., et.al, 2006), (Incorrect APA format for your citation) “…many students with learning disabilities (LD) have not developed this metacognitive awareness or the ability to skillfully apply comprehension strategies.”

Research Problem
My general research topic is technology enhancements for the special education middle school classroom. The specific problem I wish to address is: Are there effective and proven technologies with verifiable results that can close the performance gaps that students with learning disabilities often demonstrate in reading and writing? (Can you rephrase your question so it is not answerable by a yes/no? Please define your key words -- technologies, verifiable results, performance gaps, learning disabilities -- to help those understand what do you mean when you use there terms)

The reason that I have chosen this topic is because I work with students in seventh grade language arts who are struggling with reading and writing. I want to find innovative ways to reach them using technology and help them to maintain their focus and improve their comprehension. I believe that students will buy into instruction using technology more easily than traditional paper and pencil tasks. (Citation?) Technology, if implemented correctly, can more effectively engage their attention. My direction will be focused on qualitative research, because it will be discovery oriented instead of quantitative and solely focused on numerical data. But, as chapter two in the textbook (Johnson, B., Christensen, L., 2008) states, a mixed approach is often the best. Therefore, I plan to include some research data with numbers and statistics to support my conclusions. Quantitative date will be essential to demonstrate specific technology effectiveness. (Don't have to mention the book, just cite the authors in correct APA)

One particular article reviewed thus far uses digitized oral feedback and the Turning Point Active Response System and finds them to be effective uses of technology to enhance learning (Harper, 2009). In this article Brian Harper suggests that this technology demonstrates improvements in students’ ability to maintain focus on learning with higher levels of class enjoyment. Information such as this points to an answer to my research problem, and I look forward to more research on this topic. (Use your article review as support to map out your direction for this research project, not as an isolated annotation)

Rationale
In my research study, I am planning to explore and analyze beneficial uses of technology as it relates to enhancing the learning and education of the middle school special education student with a focus on those students identified LD (Learning Disabled). The examples that I will consider must have results that have been successfully utilized by fellow educators and suggest significant improved student success over more traditional learning approaches. This focus on technology for enhancing education represents a current and powerful trend in education today. (Wheeler, S., 2009) (Incorrect APA format for this citation) observes, “The adoption and utilization of mobile information and communication technologies within formalized, informal, and nonformal learning contexts is fundamentally transforming the way in which society view and engages in educational practices.” (Need to include pages if its a direct quotation)

Chapter four in the text book emphasizes the importance of clearly identifying the participants of any study. (Johnson, B., & Christensen, L., 2008) This is extremely important for my research topic since many technologies may prove effective for students with mild learning disabilities, yet students that are more profoundly challenged may not respond as well. (Don't have to mention the book, just cite the authors in correct APA) The participants that will be the focus of my study are the middle school special education instructors who teach learning disabled (LD) students.

Much research has been done in the past concerning the disabled student and how assistive technology can help to overcome learning obstacles. This will not be my sole focus. I also do not wish to consider the more severely mentally challenged students as they often are unfamiliar on a daily basis of technology and do not have the basic skills for its implementation in a learning setting. The LD child is often bored with education from many prior experiences of failure in the classroom setting, and subsequently the possibilities for revitalizing their attitudes toward learning with “new and exciting” technological strategies are a real possibility. According to (Marino, M., 2009), (Incorrect APA format for this citation) “Instructional technology is gaining increased popularity as a method to scaffold students’ learning processes and reduce the achievement gap in inclusive (special education) classrooms.” (Need to include pages if its a direct quotation)

At the conclusion of my research, if I have identified three distinct and feasible technologies that could be incorporated into the classes that I teach, then this research project will have been more than worthwhile. (Not sure if this needs to be mentioned at this point here)

**Research Methods and Data**
In my research plan, I will use interviews and multiple questionnaires to collect data regarding what types of emerging technologies are currently being used to support the middle school special education student. (What types of data do you need? How will these collected data provide answer to your research question) I will conduct an initial open-ended survey to all current special education teachers in Cobb County using a Google Docs survey. This survey will be used to specifically uncover technologies that are currently in use. An additional follow-up survey will be able to focus on the most popular specific technologies and collect quantitative data such as how often, how effective, and method of utilization. All results and a discussion forum will be available on a Wiki page following analysis and tabulation. (Why are these the best methods to collect your data. What does the research literature say about these data collection methodologies)

To supplement and validate my research, I also will interview special education supervisors in Cobb, and Cherokee Counties as well as assistive technology supervisors. My questions will focus not only on what is being used, but what may be on the table for use in the future. My findings from the two teacher surveys will provide useful information and guidance for later questions and discussions with these two additional groups. (Why? What do you mean "validate?")

My nominal data (What is this? Did you describe it before talking it here?) wi ll be validated using interpretive validity by incorporating the following strategies from chapter 10 in the textbook (Johnson, B., & Christensen, L., 2008): (Incorrect APA format)
 * 1. Extended fieldwork** (Initial surveys will guide the direction and content of later data instruments. Multiple viewpoints will be collected.)
 * 2. Triangulation** (Cross-checking information by collecting data from three groups including the teachers, along with the special education administrators, as well as the assistive technology supervisors.)
 * 3. Participant feedback** (Results will be available with additional comment input from all participants from Wiki page devoted to the results.)



**Data Collection Strategy or Instrument**
In my research study, I am planning to explore and analyze beneficial uses of digital technology for enhancing the learning and education of the middle school special education student. The examples that I will consider will be collected using a survey of all middle school special education instructors in Cobb County. (Not clear how will you do it. What are the steps involved? Do you have a copy of the survey to share) The results from this first instrument will provide the content for additional research into several specific technologies in order to verify and make suggestions for implementation to improve student success over more traditional pedagogical approaches. (Is it going to answer your research question?)

I will use a Google Docs survey questionnaire (Is this the first or the second instrument?) to collect mostly “open-ended” data (Chapter 7) (How will the data look like? Can you share your sample questions?) regarding what types of emerging technologies are currently being used to support the middle school special education student. The open-ended portion of the survey will be used to specifically uncover new (little known) technologies that are currently in use. (What do you mean? Is part of your research question?)

A more quantitative closed-ended section to measure how often more common and popular tools are currently being utilized will be in the first part of the survey. This portion will set the foundation for the survey by discussing the more popular tools currently being used and hopefully encourage the participants to think about technologies they may have used but forgotten about. (I believe it will be helpful to see a copy of the survey so we know your questions and how they are connected to the research question)

An additional follow-up survey and interview of key administrators will be able to narrow the focus of my research on the most popular or the most effective technologies and collect quantitative data such as how often, how effective, and by what methods it has been incorporated. All results will be available on a Wiki page following analysis and tabulation. (Why?)

**Data Analysis**
The survey incorporates "multi-data" (Define) and subsequently I will have to use "multi-analysis" (Define) (Johnson, B., & Christensen, L., 2008) (Incorrect APA format) to produce conclusions. An example of one of the many ways this data can be treated would be to statistically compare teachers’ attitudes towards technology with their actual utilization of specific tools. (Not clear -- show us the steps)

Once I have collected data from the "Google Docs" spreadsheet, I will use contingency tables (Define) as described in chapter 17 of (Johnson, B., & Christensen, L., 2008) (incorrect APA format) to examine the quantitative questions in the survey. This type of data could be checked for validity using the "chi-square" test as described in chapter 18 (How about if I don't have the book? Need to provide explanation in your own words). It would be interesting to see, for instance, which middle school grade level utilizes more technology, or to determine if teachers of different subject areas are greater consumers of technology. (You are editorializing here)

The data (Which one?) that will be the heart of my research is, however, the qualitative questions that seek to uncover new and effective technologies that hold the most promise for enhancing education of the middle school special education student. This data will initially be analyzed and shared using bar graphs highlighting the most popular responses. For this method to be effective I will have to create and sort all the responses into inductive categories. Otherwise we will have far too many bars to view on the graph. See page 538 of (Johnson, B., & Christensen, L., 2008) (Incorrect APA format) for example of this type of coding.

I will be using the IBM computer program "SPSS Statistics" to link to the spreadsheet and analyze and validate the data. I have begun to test this program with sample questions from my survey and I have [|two screen shots] below from my initial trials. This is a robust program and it should be able to offer the necessary conclusions needed for my research. (Unclear with the connection to what you want to do)

**Extension**
The natural extension to this research plan would be to test the most popular or most promising teaching technologies with actual LD students. This will surely be a personal mission of mine as I look for the latest and greatest in digital teaching tools for my LD students. Others have taken up this challenge as stated by (Roberts, J., et.al, 2005) (Incorrect APA format) “Empowering children with special needs and those with disabilities…through the use of learning technologies has been addressed by diverse groups. Previously disparate communities can and should work together if the potential of online technologies is to be maximized for both groups.” (Need to include pages if its a direct quotation) Bringing technology advocates together with special education advocates is a mission that could produce significant results.

References (Please check your APA book for the correct reference format) Bebell, D., O'Dwyer, L., Russell, M., & Hoffmann, T. (2010). Concerns, Considerations, and New Ideas for Data Collection and Research in Educational Technology Studies. //Journal// // of Research on Technology in Education, // 43(1), 29-52.

Chmiliar, L., & Cheung, B. (2007). Assistive Technology Training for Teachers - Innovation and Accessibility Online. //Developmental Disabilities Bulletin//, 35(1 & 2), 18-28.

Ertmer, P. (2006). Teacher Pedagogical Beliefs: The Final Frontier in Our Quest for Technology Integration? //Educational Technology Research and Development,// 53(4), 25-39.

Gillispie, L., Martin, F., & Parker, M. (2008). Effects of a 3-D Video Game on Middle School Student Achievement and Attitude in Mathematics. //The Electronic Journal of// // Mathematics and Technology //, 4(1), 68-80.

Harper, B. (2009). Increasing Student Engagement Through the Use of Technology-Enhanced Feedback. //Teaching Educational Psychology//, 3(3), 1-8.

Harris, J., Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. (2009). Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Learning Activity Types: Curriculum-based Technology Intergration Reframed. //Journal of Research on Technology in Education//, 41(4), 393-416.

Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2008). Educational Research, Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches (3rd ed.) (J. McNall, Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.

Judson, E. (2010). Improving Technology Literacy: Does it Open Doors to Traditional Content? //Educational Technology Research & Development, 1//(58), 271-284.

Kim, A., Vaughn, S., Klingner, J., Woodruff, A., Reutebuch, C., & Kouzekanani, K. (2006). Improving the Reading Comprehension of Middle School Students With Disabilities Through Computer-Assisted Collaborative Strategic Reading. //Remedial & Special// // Education //, 27(4), 235-249.

Kolikant, Y. (2009). Digital Students in a Book-Oriented School: Students' Perceptions of School and the Usability of Digital Technology in Schools. //Educational Technology &// // Society //, 12(2), 131-143.

Lei, J. (2010). Quantity Versus Quality: A New Approach to Examine the Relationship Between Technology Use and Student Outcomes. //British Journal of Educational Technology,// // 41 // (3), 455-472.

Looney, M. (2008). Using an Online Survey Tool to Enhance Teaching. //Measurement in// // Physical Education and Exercise Science, 1 // (12), 113-121.

Marino, M. (2009). Understanding How Adolescents with Reading Difficulties Utilize Technology-Based Tools. //Exceptionality//, 17, 88-102.

Roberts, J., O’Sullivan, J., & Howard, J. (2005). The Roles of Emerging and Conventional Technologies in Serving Children and Adolescents with Special Needs in Rural and Northern Communities. //Journal of Distance Education//, 20(1), 84-103.

Schumaker, J., Deshler, D., Woodruff, S., Hock, M., Bulgren, J., & Lenz, B. (2006). Reading Strategy Interventions: Can Literacy Outcomes Be Enhanced for At- Risk Adolescents? //Teaching Exceptional Children//, 38(3), 64-68.

Oncu, S., Delialioglu, O., & Brown, C. (2008). Critical Components for Technology Integration: How do Instructors Make Decisions? //Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science// // Teaching, // 27(1), 19-46.

Wheeler, S. (2009). //Connected Minds, Emerging Cultures: Cybercultures in Online Learning// (1st ed.). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.

(COMMENTS: Charlene -- need to tighten your thinking on this. I believe you have a sense of where you want to go, you just need to describe it better. The dots are not well connected from section to section. Need to include a copy of your survey to better illustrate your thinking of what you want to do with this project. Need to define terms so you and your reader are on the same page given the language/terminology used. Do check your APA formatting using your book. DB