Amy Hartman PDF
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A CASE STUDY OF TECHNOLOGY CHOICES BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS A Dissertation Presented to The Graduate Faculty of The University of Akron In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Amy R. Owens-‐Hartman December, 2015 A CASE STUDY OF TECHNOLOGY CHOICES BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Amy R. Owens-‐Hartman Dissertation Approved: Accepted: Co-‐Advisor Interim Department Chair Dr. Lynne M. Pachnowski Dr. Peggy L. McCann Co-‐Advisor Interim Dean of the College Dr. Gary Holliday Dr. Susan G. Clark Committee Member Dean of the Graduate School Dr. Harold M. Foster Dr. Chand K. Midha Committee Member Date Dr. John Savery Dr. I-‐Chun Tsai Committee Member ii ABSTRACT The purpose of this case study was to examine student technology choices when given the freedom to choose technology devices to complete a project-‐based learning activity in a content area of study. The study also analyzed factors affecting technology choice as well as how technology proficiency scores aligned to technology choices. Patterns and themes were identified during data analysis. Three research questions guided this study: (1) When given a choice, what technologies do students use to accomplish a project-‐based learning mission? (2) Why does a student choose certain technologies to accomplish a project-‐based learning mission? (3) How do students’ technology choices during a project-‐based learning mission align with their Atomic Learning’s Technology Skills Student Assessment scores? Data analysis of the first question indicated that for hardware choice, students overwhelmingly chose laptops to complete a project-‐based mission with smart phones coming in second to complete or enhance the mission. In my results section for software choice, all students chose some sort of cloud-‐based technology: Google Slides, Prezi, a blog, Twitter, and Google Sites. Data analysis of the second question concluded that both internal and external factors affected student technology choices. Students chose the software choice first to accomplish their iii project and then chose the hardware tool to work best with the software. Hardware was seen as the needed device to make the cloud based software work as best as possible. Data analysis of the final question indicated that self-‐efficacy and previous experiences are crucial components for secondary level students when choosing and using technology. Technology proficiency scores aligned to student technology choices. iv DEDICATION This study is dedicated to my family. My parents have always promoted the importance of education and never giving up. My father, Papa Larry Owens, and my mother, Nana MaryAnn Owens, provided countless helpful nights, advice, and food. My husband, Brandon Hartman, and my children, William and Haley Hartman, supported and loved me during my schooling. They also allowed me the time that I needed. I know sometimes I worked too hard, but we still had fun! My father-‐in-‐ law, Scott Hartman, always offered helpful advice and wisdom during my dissertation writing. My brothers, Doug and Chad Owens, always allowed me to vent and they motivated me. I love you all and thank you! This study is also dedicated to my friends: the wonderful women in my life who are viewed as aunts by my children and can never be replaced. Donna, Emily, Lisa, my cousin Natalie, Nicole, Tiff, and Val: I love you all and thank you! “Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them” (source unknown). I would not be here without everyone mentioned above and more. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my dissertation advisors, Dr. Lynne Pachnowski and Dr. Gary Holliday, who both helped me tremendously through this long process. I thank you both for your patience, constant checking on items, answering questions, and promoting my best possible work. I would not be here without the both of you. Again, as I have stated to you both before, this is one of the most important aspects of your job – working with the students. I wish you both would get commended for this type of work way more! I would also like to acknowledge and thank my committee members. To Dr. Harold Foster, I thank you for always being so positive and complimentary. I know how busy you are, yet you made time to work with me and I appreciate it so. To Dr. I-‐Chun Tsai, I thank you being a part of my committee when much needed and giving great advice – especially when it came to APA requirements. To Dr. John Savery, thank you so much for your helpful resources. You always knew the best article or book that would match what I needed. You also have such great discussions about educational ideas. I would like to thank my administrators for permission to research, help when needed, and great advice. Lastly, I would like to thank my students. I have vi the best job in the world being with you all. Thank you for your open minds and putting up with me! vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................. xi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 A Student’s Perspective and a Teacher’s Empathy ......................................... 1 Technology Standards and 21st Century Skills ................................................ 3 Project-‐based Learning ............................................................................................... 8 Generation Who? ........................................................................................................... 12 Statement of the Research Problem ...................................................................... 13 Perspective ....................................................................................................................... 15 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................... 16 Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 17 Definitions of Terms .................................................................................................... 18 II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ..................................................................................... 20 Social Constructivist Theory .................................................................................... 20 Self-‐Efficacy and Technology ................................................................................... 27 Generation M ................................................................................................................... 34 viii Learning Inside versus Outside .................................................................................... 39 III. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................. 53 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 53 Epistemological Framework .................................................................................... 55 Participants and Demographics .............................................................................. 58 Research Design and Methods ................................................................................. 59 Instruments ..................................................................................................................... 64 Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 68 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................... 71 Subjectivity ...................................................................................................................... 75 Permissions and Data Management ...................................................................... 78 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 79 IV. RESULTS OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................. 81 Technology Choices ...................................................................................................... 83 Why Technology Choices Are Made ...................................................................... 90 Technology Choices as Aligned to Atomic Learning’s Technology Skills Student Assessment ................................................................................. 107 V. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLEMENTATIONS ............................................................... 125 Assumptions and Limitations .................................................................................. 125 Research Questions with Conclusions and Implications ............................. 128 Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 146 Suggestions for Further Research .......................................................................... 150 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 153 ix APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................ 163 APPENDIX A. ISTE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS ............................... 164 APPENDIX B. OHIO TECHNOLOGY ACADEMIC CONTENT STANDARDS ................................................................................................................... 170 APPENDIX C. PARENTAL AND STUDENT CONSENT LETTERS ......................... 174 APPENDIX D. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT #2 ............................................ 180 APPENDIX E. ATOMIC LEARNING TECHNOLOGY SKILLS STUDENT ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................... 182 APPENDIX F. IRB APPROVAL ........................................................................................... 183 x
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