Lamar Masters Program

Friday, May 10, 2013

Finally Finished

I want to take a minute to tell everyone that I really enjoyed working with you over the past 18 months. It seems like just yesterday I was making my first post and now I am at the end of my Masters Degree journey. I look forward to meeting those of you who go to graduation in person. Good luck in your futures.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Using Computers in the Classroom - Action Research Project

Using Computers in the Classroom

Brandi D. Hoffpauir

Lamar University

Action Research

April 18, 2013

Using Computers in the Classroom

Abstract

Using computers in the classroom is often debated by teachers. Some teachers believe that using computers in the classroom is a distraction to students and a waste of time. Other teachers believe that using computers in the classroom can benefit students both in the classroom and in their futures.

Often times when a teacher feels that a computer is not valuable in the classroom it is because they do not effectively know how to use the computer to their benefit and the students benefit. This paper looks into the different ways of using computers in the classroom. It will give both new and experienced teachers information on how to use the computers in their classrooms in an effective way.

Introduction

This study was done within the Goose Creek CISD school system. It was done at ten different elementary schools within the school district. This school system is located in Baytown, Texas. In GCCISD 63% of the students are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program (CISD, 2010). This is above the state average. This was in the year 2010. According to the GCCISD 2009-2012 E-Rate year 12 plan the district’s percentage of disadvantaged students is 60.10% (York, 2009).

This study was done through a student teaching assignment, a substitute teaching job, and also through an internship with the Goose Creek CISD technology department. The work done during student teaching was done with third grade. The internship was completed in ten different elementary schools. It was working with fifth grade students.

Section One – Nature of the Problem

Statement of the problem

Often times teachers both new and also experienced do not know how to use technology in their classrooms. They do not know how to use it to benefit their students or even themselves. Many times more experienced teachers do not know how to use a computer very well. That makes it difficult for them to use a computer in the classroom. New teachers often do know how to use a computer, but they are unaware of how to use it to benefit the children.

It is important for teachers to learn to use technology in their classroom so their students will know how to use this technology when they grow up and try to get a job. In today’s job market computers are very important. Many employers will not hire someone who cannot use a computer. Because of this it’s very important for schools and teachers to make sure students can use computers. Schools need to encourage students to use computers not discourage them.

Purpose of the Study

Many times computers are not used in the elementary school classrooms because teachers do not know how to use them to help teach their students in an effective way. Teachers are unaware of the different software programs and websites available for their use in the classroom. This study will show different ways of using computers in both main stream classrooms and special education classrooms.

Significance of the Study

This study can significantly help both new and experienced teachers. It shows different programs that can be used to help students. It also shows different websites that can be used in the classroom. Many teachers do not know how to use technology to benefit themselves but this paper will help teach them.

Definition of Terms

E-Rate Plan: A technology plan that states goals and realistic strategies for using telecommunications to improve education. This plan must be completed in order for a school to get discounted services (Education, 2011).

Inclusion: Where a special needs child remains in a regular classroom while still receiving the help they need.

GCCISD: Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District

Section Two – Literature Review

According to the Goose Creek CISD E-Rate Plan there is at least one computer for every four students (York, 2009). In the year 2011-2012 the district is supposed to be working toward 2:1 student computer ratio. The district also has internet available in every classroom (York, 2009). Currently GCCISD is trying to get a new bond passed that will allow the district to invest in more technology for the schools. This would include purchasing laptops for the fourth grade students at all elementary schools. This bond will be voted on in May 2013.

Over the recent years many school districts have begun to use computers in their classrooms. Some believe that this could be because software has gotten cheaper. Others believe that this is because it makes it more convenient for teachers because of the large amount of content online. Also the programmers are able to make multidimensional programs that include real time interaction (Michael, 2001). Sometimes there are limitations that keep technology from being used in the classroom. One of those limitations is a teachers’ lack of technology skills and knowledge of pedagogical methods and approaches (Vrasidas & Kyriakou, 2008). This is the reason this particular project was chosen.

Computers can be used in both main stream and special education classrooms. Some may think that they would not help special needs children, however they can be beneficial. There is computer software that is easy to use. It can also be easily adjusted to the skill level each individual student needs. These programs wait until the student is ready and then if they do it wrong it guides them on how to fix it (Kleinman & Humphrey, 1984). If the students can use a computer to keep practicing then they will get more practice than if the teacher has to help them. Since a teacher cannot spend the entire class helping one student this would benefit the child. The child who needs extra help will get the help needed while the teacher continues working with others in the class. Because of this a computer can be a great tool for working with special needs children.

There was a study where a child in pre-k who has cerbal palsey was allowed to use a computer. His computer has KidPix put on it. It was then adapted to allow him to use a switch instead of a computer and keyboard. The young man then was able to show that he could do things such as count (Laufer, 2001). “Not only can computer technology facilitate a broader range of educational activities to meet a variety of needs for students with mild learning disorders, but adaptive technology now exists than can enable even those students with severe disabilities to become active learners in the classroom alongside their peers who do not have disabilities (Hasslebring & Glasher, 2000).” Helping special needs students become active learners is important. We need to to learn if we want them to suceed in life.

Many times children with disabilities and even students who are behind in reading have a hard time reading books. Because of this it is often helpful to use computer programs or websites that will read books to children. Tumble Books is a website that is helpful to students who have a hard time reading. This website has books for the students to choose from. The students choose a book and this site will read the book to them. It is also animated. It makes it more interesting for the children and it also helps them learn to read. Though this website would be great for special needs children it can also be good for a general classroom too. All students would benefit from extra reading time and if they have access to a website that has animated books they will be more willing to read.

Computers can also benefit students in subjects other than reading. There are websites that can be used to help students in math. One website is coolmath.com. Most children like to play games. Games are fun and children like to do things that are fun. That is why using a game to teach them is a good idea. The children will not feel like they are being forced to learn something in a boring way. They will just learn as they play games. This website is good for teaching math, however there are websites that can help students with more than one subject at a time.

There is a website that is available that will help students with more than one subject. One such website is IStation or Imagination Station. This site is a good site to help students with subjects such as reading, spelling, and science. It is good because it works on all of the differnet subjects and is fun for the students. The students work on it individually and they progress individually. This means that students who learn quickly are not waiting on students who do not learn as fast. It makes it where each student is able to pace themselves and learn. This website is being used within GCCISD to help students review for the STAAR test. The students each log into their own account and the program remembers where they are. In order for them to progress from one level to another the students must pass tests. If they do not pass tests they are required to repeat the same activity again until they are able to pass the test. Using computers can be helpful to students, but computers can also be helpful to teachers.

Teachers can use computers in their classrooms to help them. One way teachers can use computers is by using programs such as Turn-It-In. This program is available to help teachers determine if a student plagarized a paper or not. The teacher submits the paper to the program and it will tell the teacher what percent of the paper matches other papers. Checking for plagarism is important, however there are other ways a teacher can use technology in the classroom.

Another way teachers can use technology in the classroom is through websites such as EduSmart. This website allows teachers to show streaming videos to their students. Allowing students to watch steaming videos can be very beneficial to them. It helps students with engagement. It helps the student become drawn into the video and helps the visually connect with the content (Greenberg, 2012). If a student is more engaged it will help them to retain the information being conveyed to them. These videos are easily accessible to teachers because they are on demand. This makes it where a teacher can go online at any time and chose a video to go with her lesson and immediately start watching it. Teachers can also use technology to help parents stay updated on what is going on in the classroom.

Teachers can use blogs and wikis to help parents and students stay up to date on what is going on in the classroom. A teacher can make a class blog or wiki and on it post what the students are currently learning about. The teacher can also post links to any external sites they will be using in class. This will help students especially if they are absent from school. The teacher can also post the class assignments to the site. This allows students and parents to see what work is due and when it is due.

Section Three – Action Research Design

Subjects

This research was conducted based on elementary school students. The students ranged from kindergarten through fifth grade. These students went to ten different elementary schools within the Goose Creek CISD school system. The study was done in varying subjects.

Procedures

This research was done through both observations and also teaching students throughout the school district. It was also done by talking to both the teachers and the technology department. The teachers were asked what they know how to do and what they do not know how to do. They were also asked what they feel like works in their classrooms and what does not work.

Data Collection

Data for this research project was gathered in many ways. One way data was collected was by talking to working teachers who currently use computers. These teachers were asked how they use technology in their classroom. They were also asked about the different programs and websites they use.

Data was also collected through observations and through an internship with the GCCISD technology department. Classrooms and teachers were observed during observations. Also technology lessons were taught through an internship with the GCCISD technology department. Much of the internship time was spent working with fifth grade students. However, time was spent in all grade levels between kindergarten and fifth grade.

Section Four – Proposed Analysis of the Data

In order to determine if using computers in the classroom is beneficial the teachers throughout the district will be interviewed to see if they believe that their students have benefited from this technology. The teachers will also be asked if using computers in the classroom has been beneficial to themselves.

Section Five – Proposed Evaluation

Evaluating the Results of the Study

In order to evaluate this project different teachers from throughout the GCCISD were observed. Their classes were observed to see if the students seemed to be learning from using computers. During the observations the students were also watched to see if they seemed to be engaged in the process. The teachers were also spoken to in order to see if they felt as if their students were benefiting from the use of computers in their classroom. Teachers were asked if their students seemed to like using the computer to help with their classwork. They were also asked if their students’ grades were improving while using the computers.

Based on this study computers can be very helpful to both students and teachers when used in the classroom. Goose Creek CISD has people from the technology department who go to the different schools and helps teach technology. However, these people mainly teach the students. It is this author’s recommendation that GCCISD have someone come to each school and train the teachers. The teachers need to know how to use technology to their benefit and also their students benefit. The teachers need to be trained and not feel threatened by the use of technology. They also need to be taught about the benefits of using computers in the classroom. If teachers understand the benefits they will be more likely to use the technology available to them.

Dissemination of the Results of the Study

This study can benefit both new teachers and experienced teachers. All teachers can learn from using technology in the classroom. Teachers can use this information to help not just themselves but also their students. This makes it very important for this information to be available to teachers. Because this study can benefit many teachers it will be published to the author’s personal Google site. It will also be published to the author’s personal blog. Publishing this report to a Google site and a blog will make it available to the largest amount of teachers possible. It will make it available not just to teachers across America, but to teachers across the globe.

Appendix A

Leadership Plan

Specific actions I did

1) I made sure to be honest with everyone I worked with. I made sure that everyone I worked with knew I was being honest with them. Being honest helped me get the most accurate results.

2) I made sure to let each person I worked with know what my goal was. They each knew that what they told me would be considered in my findings.

3) I spoke with different teachers to see which websites they liked using the most.

4) I will make sure to communicate with everyone that I work with on this project.

5) I will keep people motivated by pointing out the good things that are being done.

6) There was a positive climate. This was done by making sure everyone knew that their opinion was respected and was listed to.

7) Others were empowered. I did this by allowing the teachers to tell me what they were working on in their class. Then the technology lessons were planned to meet the teachers’ needs at that time. I also asked the teachers if there was anything particular they wanted me to do.

References

CISD, G. C. (2010, October). Demographic Update . Retrieved from Goose Creek CISD: http://www.gccisd.net/users/0046/docs/GCCISDDemoUpdateOct2010.pdf

Education, C. D. (2011, December 29). E-rate: Technology Planning Guide. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/techplanning.asp

Greenberg, A. &. (March). The Impact of Broadcast and Streaming Video in Education. Retrieved April 18, 2013, from Cisco: http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/docs/education/ciscovideowp.pdf

Hasslebring, T., & Glasher, C. (2000, Fall/Winter). Use of Computer Technology to Help Students with Special Needs. The Future of Children Children and Computer Technology, 10(2), 102-122. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from FutureofChildren.org: http://familiestogetherinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/COMPUTERTECHNEEDS.pdf

Kleinman, G., & Humphrey, M. (1984, October). Computers make special education more effective and fun. Creative Computing, 10(10), 96. Retrieved September 16, 2012

Laufer, D. (2001, July/August). Computer Use in an Inclusive Setting for a Pre-School Child with Cerebral Palsy. Directions Technology in Special Education, 7(11), 1-8. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from http://www.dreamms.org/page85/files/JulAug01.pdf

Michael, K. (2001). The Effect of Computer Simulation Activity versus a Hands-On Activity on Product Creativity in Technology Education. Journal of Technology Education, 13(1), 31-43. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v13n1/pdf/micheal.pdf

Vrasidas, C., & Kyriakou, E. (2008). Integrating Technology in the Classroom. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from Pliroforiki: www.pliroforiki.org/joomla/index.php?option

York, T. (2009, February 3). Goose Creek CISD Technology Plan for E-Rate Year 12. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from Goose Creek CISD: http://schools.gccisd.net/docs/38-Tech%20e-Plan%202009-2012.pdf

Sunday, March 31, 2013

WebChat with Field Supervisor

Yesterday I participated in my first web chat with my field supervisor. I have one more left to do. During this chat we discussed what we should and should not put on a resume. I found it very interesting because things that I have always been told to put on a resume I am now finding out should not be there. I am glad I participated in the web chat because I feel like it gave me some valuable information that I can use in my life. We also discussed using technology in schools. I also found it interesting. He showed us some of the new technology that is being used. There were things out there that I have never heard of. I will be looking into these items. I found them very interesting.

Just finished EDLD 5326

I have just finished EDLD 5326. I have learned a lot from this class. I learned about how to try and get the community to work with the school as a partner. Before this class I had never really though about how important the community is for a school. I always thought about how important the parents and the school were. I have learned through this that there are community programs within my own school district. There are programs where businesses come into the school as mentors. There are also programs where organizations purchase dictionaries for students. I have found that it is important for an administrator to know how to encourage a community partnership. I am hoping I will be able to use this knowledge in my career. I think that I can even use this knowledge as a teacher. I can reach out to members of the community to come into my classroom. It will benefit the community and the students.

Reach Out to Dropout Video Version of My PowerPoint Presentation

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Ways to Use Computers in Schools - Update

I have been working with the technology department on the fifth grade laptop initiative. I have been going from school to school and watching how the laptops are being used within the school. I have found several ways to use them including letting students who are not very good readers use programs that read books to them. There are programs that highlight the words while it says the words. This helps the students learn the words. I have also found that teachers are able to upload assignments to Edmondo. The students can do the assignment and upload it to Edmondo. Then the program grades it for the teacher. I have also found that there are websites that are there to help students who are having problems in subjects such as math. The teacher can have the students log into the websites and do extra work. The students have fun doing this. They are also learning how to do the activites. Once they learned how to do it they are getting extra practice and getting better at it. Once they have gotten good at it then the teacher can allow them to move onto something else. This works well even for students who are behind. It allows them to master a skill that another student is not working on. I have spent approximately one hundred and twenty hours on this project. I even spent a day working with a different technology person. I went to a school with her and worked with her on the second trade typing initiative. In this class they are using computers to teach the second graders how to type. They are using a computer program that is like a game. I have also used this program with some of the students that I have taught while subbing. The kids love doing this and have fun. However, they are also learning a valuable skill.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Ways to Use Computers in Schools

As a new teacher I want to identify ways of using computers in the school system to help students. Both new teachers and experienced teachers alike sometimes do not know all of the different ways of using computers to help their students. Teachers can benefit from finding out different ways to use them. I believe that computers can be used to help both your average student and also your special needs student.

In this paper I will look into ways of using computers to help students with their education. It will include both average students and also special needs students. I believe that computers can be used to benefit all students no matter their learning situation. I hope to determine ways to do this.

This study will be done within the Goose Creek CISD school system. It is going to be done at different elementary schools within the system. This school system is located in Baytown, Texas. In GCCISD 63% of the students are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program (CISD, 2010). This is above the state average. This was in the year 2010. According to the GCCISD 2009-2012 E-Rate year 12 plan the district’s percentage of disadvantaged students is 60.10% (York, 2009).

I will be doing this through my employment within the district. Some of this project will be done through a student teaching assignment. The remainder of the project will be done through both an internship with the technology department and also through my substitute teacher job. Because of my ability to go from one school to another I believe I will be able to work with a large population of students. I believe this will help me to find the most ways of helping the students as possible.

I am learning that as a new teacher I am not aware of the different ways of helping students learn using the computers that are available in the school district. I have also seen that other teachers do not always know how to use the computers to help the students. Teachers including myself need to know the most effective ways of using these computers.

While doing this research project I hope to find effective ways for teachers to allow students to use computers in the school. I am hoping to find websites and also computer programs that will benefit elementary school students. I hope to include ways of using the computers to help special needs students.

This can be a significant study. It can be of great benefit to new teachers like me who have not had much experience in the classroom. However, it can also benefit experienced teachers who may not know the different ways of using computers. If this study helps teachers it will benefit the students also. This is because the students will be able to use the websites and programs and learn more information than they would have learned without them.

Computer use in the classroom has become a popular method of teaching in schools. Some believe that this could be because software has gotten cheaper. Also the programmers are able to make multidimensional programs that include real time interaction (Michael, 2001). Sometimes there are limitations that keep technology from being used in the classroom. One of those limitations is a “teachers’ lack of technology skills and knowledge of pedagogical methods and approaches (Vrasidas & Kyriakou, 2008). This is the reason I have chosen this particular research project.

Computers can also be used in special education classrooms. Some may think that they would not help special needs children, however they can be beneficial. There is computer software that is easy to use. It can also be easily adjusted to the skill level each individual student needs. These programs wait until the student is ready and then if they do it wrong it guides them on how to fix it (Kleinman & Humphrey, 1984). If the students can use a computer to keep practicing then they will get more practice than if the teacher has to help them. A teacher cannot spend the entire class helping one student the whole time. She has to spend time with all of the students. I feel that is a great reason to allow special needs students to use computers.

I will be basing my research on elementary students. The grades that will be included range between pre-kindergarten and fifth grade. I have chosen these grades because my certification is EC-6. I want to research the ways to benefit the grades which I will be teaching.

In order to complete this project I will be observing students in different elementary schools throughout the district. I will also be speaking with teachers to determine what their findings are on students who use computers. I want to find out if they believe that the computers benefit their students. This project will start in January 2012. I hope to have this project completed by December 2012.

I will collect data for this project in different ways. One way I will be collecting data is by talking to working teachers who currently use computers. I will be asking these teachers about the ways they use the computers. I will also ask them about the different programs and websites they use. I will ask if they have any websites or programs that they feel are more beneficial. I will also ask if they have any that they have found are not helpful. I believe that teachers who are currently using the computers will be a wealth of knowledge for me.

Another way I will collect data for this project will be through observations. I will be observing students as they use computers in the classrooms and computer labs. I feel like observing them use the available resources will be a good way of determining which programs the students like and which ones help the students.

I will observe students throughout the district and determine if they seem to be learning anything from the programs and websites they are using. I will be observing these students are more than one school and in different grades. This will give me a larger sample of students.

In order to evaluate my project I will look at my observations and see how students are progressing. I will look to see if it looks like they are learning more or if they seem to be at the same level. Since I do not have a class of my own I believe observation is the best way for me to evaluate the results of the students.

Other teachers can benefit from this study. Because of this I feel like a good way of letting people know the results would be to make a website where I publish my findings. I believe the internet would be the best way to make sure the results are available to a large number of teachers.

References

CISD, G. C. (2010, October). Demographic Update . Retrieved from Goose Creek CISD: http://www.gccisd.net/users/0046/docs/GCCISDDemoUpdateOct2010.pdf

Education, C. D. (2011, December 29). E-rate: Technology Planning Guide. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/techplanning.asp

Kleinman, G., & Humphrey, M. (1984, October). Computers make special education more effective and fun. Creative Computing, 10(10), 96. Retrieved September 16, 2012

Vrasidas, C., & Kyriakou, E. (2008). Integrating Technology in the Classroom. Retrieved September 16, 2012, from Pliroforiki: www.pliroforiki.org/joomla/index.php?option