Hello all,
It is nice to be back with you all for another class. As always I like to make myself available to any of you for any help along the way. If you think I may be of assistance for anything, please do not hesitate to ask.
I am having a little anxiety about this class for a couple reasons. First, I do not want to pick a topic that is too narrow or too broad. Next, I want my topic to interest me for more than a week or so, (short attention span, another draw back of being the male gender). And finally, I wanted my topic to be important and relevant to me and my school district.
After awhile I decided to look at writing scores and how technology influences these scores. I would also like to implement a component that looks at standardized testing in relation to technology, but I can not figure a way to work it in.
My Problem Statement
I plan to determine the difference in writing scores among sixth graders between those who use technology to write with and those who do not.
- Who: Sixth Graders
- What: Taught writing with technology; Write using technology
- Why: determine the influences of technology on writing
Feel free to offer any suggestions or comments here. I always like hearing feedback on how I can make my work better. If you forsee any complication I may have overlooked, please let me know.
Paul, I find the gender issue very interesting. Teaching special needs students for 21 years, Most of my students have been male. I have often wondered why. In each class of approximately 1 to 18 students, I may have 2 or 3 girls. This is more evident with my students that have emotional disorders. This was one of the topics that I considered, but I was afraid that the research would be limited.
ReplyDeleteAbout your topic, so many students have written language issues. The component regarding technology and standardized testing is a subject that is being discussed in the state of Ohio. Do you mean using some type of technology to take the tests or using technology to see if core subjects test scores improve? Our special needs students have DVD’s that read them the tests. This is one type of technology that they utilize to take the tests, if that helps. I think your topic will provide for a lot of data and information that you can use for your research. Good Luck!
Kristin
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI think your idea is a very good. I think it is definitly one that needs to be researched. I was wondering why you chose 6th graders and not just middle school students. Do you think it will be easier to find information based on 6th graders? Just a thought. I think you will find a lot of information to use in your research.
Gayla
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI am having the same anxiety. I have changed my problem statement six or seven times in my head and twice turning it in to Kathryn :-) My problem is I get very frustrated when searching for research because I can not find exactly what I am looking for the way I think about it in my head. I am having a very hard time wording my statement so that I can actually find the research I want to - 1) interest me and 2) fit into the "mold" I am thinking of.
Your topic is an interesting one. I am interested in your findings because our state test scores in reading and writing have been very good the past few years and some teachers use a lot of technology and some do not.
Good luck!
Tiffany
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI have taught a high school Advanced Writing course and my experience tells me that technology does help students improve their writing. First of all, it's more fun for them, and the fact of the matter is that word processing software just makes things easier and more interesting. It helps them think outside the box, so to speak, because it can do so much. Just the spellcheck alone will help them become better writers. When my students had to write in class, in their notebooks, they would moan and groan and do it grudgingly. When they had to write in their blogs or do a written assignment on their computer, like a book report, the results were of a better quality, and their response was much more positive.
I love writing, and I think technology is a great way for kids to get into it nowadays, simply because there are so many ways it can help and make it more interesting and fun. Great topic, I can't wait to read your report.