Research Paper

Research Paper Assignment for the 6310 MEd Foundations class.
 
This research paper assignment is worth 30% of your grade.  10% for the presentation, 10% for turning in the first draft, and 10% for the final version.  The draft you get full credit just for turning it in.
 

Research Paper Requirements

  • The research paper should be on an educational technology-related topic.
  • It must be 8-10 double spaced pages, not counting references.
  • The paper and references must be APA formatted.
  • The final paper should have at least 5 research paper references.  Remember to setup VPN to access the full text of articles.
  • You will also need to give a 5-10 minute presentation to the class about your topic.

Sample Paper

Here is a sample draft of a literature review I wrote for a handbook:  "How People Learn with Computer Simulations."  The article applies the framework from the How People Learn book ( HPL Framework) to research on the use of computers simulations in education.  As you can see, even that topic is quite broad.  The article is 15 single-spaced pages not counting the references.  The chapter is organized according to the guidelines presented on the Sample Outline page.

Stages

See the 6310 Schedule also for the deadlines.
  1. Deadline October 22nd.  Create a blog post about one or more possible topics you are interested in.  The topic should be edtech-related, and about some current issue, controversy, or about research on the use of some technology.  See some more guidance below.  I recommend using the journals page and Google Scholar to find topics for which there have been research journal articles published.  I or Yan Ma will comment on your blog post if it requires some feedback.  Try to keep your topic specific, not broad.
  2. (This is now OPTIONAL) Create an initial outline for your paper and a list of at least 3 research journal article references.  See the Sample Outline for some guidance.  Email me your outline.
  3. November 5th and 12th.  You'll need to give a 5-10 minute presentation about your topic to the class in Wimba.  People with last names starting with letters N to Z present on the 5th, and letters A to M present on the 12th.
  4. Deadline November 19th.  Turn in first draft of your research paper.  Yan and I will email you back some feedback on your draft.
  5. Deadline December 10th.  Turn in final draft of your research paper.  I encourage you (but it is optional) to add your paper as a chapter in the Ed Tech Knowledge Base, depending where it fits (technologies, controversies & issues, ...).

Guidance on choosing a topic and writing the paper.

At the bottom is a list of some example edtech-related topics.  You might pretend you are submitting a research paper to a conference such as one of these listed below, or those on the Organizations and Conferences page.  See their advice on writing papers, as well as their lists of topics:
Example topics that are too broad:
  • Constructivism and educational technology
  • Educational technology in science education
More narrow topics that might be more appropriate:
  • Research on the effectivieness of software for learning about heredity at the middle school level
  • The effectiveness of 1-to-1 laptop programs in middle schools (still a bit broad)
  • Research on the use of Second Life for foreign language learning
  • Improving middle school kids searching and evaluating information on the web
Really it depends on existing research.  Use Google Scholar to search for papers on various topics,
and use the Journals page for guidance on what are some journals with good reputations in the field.
 

List of More Sample Topics

 
One other idea for a topic / organizing scheme is for you to apply the HPL Framework to research on a particular technology or instructional technique, similar to what I did with the sample article on simulations I mentioned earlier.  For example, say you are researching 1-to-1 laptop programs, or graphing calculators.  How have those tools been:
  • used for assessment purposes, (assessment centered)
  • used for conveying information/knowledge/understanding,  (knowledge centered)
  • used in social/collaborative learning contexts, pairs or small groups of students, or how has it effected the school as a whole, or parent-teacher relations (community centered)
  • used to make curriculum more relevant and interesting and motivating to students (learner centered)
 
Technologies/Tools/Software
Here is a list of some example technologies you could write your research paper about.
Some of these are still pretty broad.  You can narrow them down to a particular topic area (like science education) and/or an education level (like high school or higher education), for example.
  • Using blogs in education (effect on writing, for example, or as a reflection activity, or using them as a design journal for an educational project)
  • Using wikis in education (when they can help or not help learning, different collaboration activities using wikis...)
  • Using cell phones in education
  • Using tablet pcs in education
  • Use of personal response systems / clickers / classroom response systems
  • Use of console and handheld gaming platforms in education
  • Using e-book readers / Kindle in education / libraries
  • Videogames related to science ed, information literacy, math ed, reading ed, etc.
  • Modeling tools
  • Concept mapping tools
  • Use of diagrams
  • Use of animations
  • 3D multiuser environments like Second Life or Croquet
  • Probeware, sensors
  • Timelines, maps
  • Genealogy tools and history/social studies education
  • GIS, Navigation devices

Another way to look at it is to think of some instructional technique, and look at research into various technologies design to support it, for example:

  • Technologies to foster/support small group collaboration
  • Technologies to support formative assessment
  • Technologies to support project-based learning, etc.

I'd prefer we stay away from technologies for administration stuff, like gradebook software, school administration software, etc.  Although a research paper on uses of a learning management system like Moodle or Blackboard would be interesting.

Controversies/Debates/Issues

  • ISD vs. learning sciences

  • Problem-based Learning / constructivism vs. direct instruction, worked examples

  • Logo programming language in schools / constructionism - http://edresearch.wikispaces.com/turtle+on+trial

  • Videogames in education & in libraries

  • The effects of media on learning – Clark/Kozma http://edresearch.wikispaces.com/The+Effects+of+Media+on+Learning

  • Educational research methods – quantitative experimental studies vs. qualititive/ethnography research vs. design experiments (DBR)

  • Teachers as instructional technology researchers and designers

  • Computers in schools debate – Larry Cuban, Oppenheimer (flickering mind), Wenglinsky

  • Teacher professional development training on using and integrating computers and other educational technologies

  • 1-to-1 laptop initiatives, OLPC laptop

  • Equity

    • Gender issues and educational technology – math, science, videogames

    • Digital divide and educational technology (internet access, etc.)

  • Web 2.0 & Education (“School 2.0”, “Learning 2.0”, “Edupunks”, disruptive technologies, etc.)

  • Technology & Young Children: Mozart CDs – Baby Einstein

  • Kids and social networking, myspace, etc.

 

Groups:

Disclaimer

Any opinions expressed here, except as specifically noted, are those of the individual authors or commenters and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, or Utah State University.