RESEARCH METHODS - Coursework Example

RESEARCH METHODS Roberta Hatch A00492751 Research Theory, Design, and Methods (RSCH - 8100D Dr. Gary Lacy Walden Research Methods The notion of the effect of technology and its relevance to the education and learning system is rather a multifaceted subject; this is owing to the explanation that the use of technology in the education and student learning has not been utilized for long; hence there are fears of whether devoting in the same is beneficial and sensible. There are several literatures that attest and demonstrate the validity of technological appliance in education and student learning is of immense significance in influencing a students education and in improving learning accomplishments. Results and findings are considered in the framework of the interdependent variables that technological use is embedded include access, student background, teacher preparation and experience, instructional methods, curriculum content, and additional learning resources. Several studies try to explore the correlation between technological applications and the education and learning of students and achievements. These include: Kulik, J. A. (2003). Effects of using instructional technology in elementary and secondary Schools: What controlled evaluation studies say. Arlington, VA: SRI International. James Kulik (1994) employed the use of a technique referred as Meta-Analysis to aggregate the findings and results of at least 500 individual research theories on computerized instruction which individualized on learning process to entail interest, needs, current knowledge and learning methods of students. The rationale include, students spend less time learning and achieving much while using computerized instructions than when not using computers and students tend to like the classes that involve the use of computers than classes that do not use computers. In every area, they studied; computers did not result in only the positive effects. Sivin-Kachala, J. (1998). Taking Stock: What Does the Research Say About Technologys Impact on Education? Interview with Jay Sivin-Kachala. Technology & Learning. Jay Sivin-Kachala (1998) evaluated 219 researchers to appraise the impact of technological advancement on learning. The positive findings include students in an environment with technologies noticed positive effects in accomplishments and student attitudes on education and learning increased. The negative findings were inability to establish the effectiveness of technology in population, accessibility and software design. Baker, E. L., Gearhart, M., & Herman, J. L. (1994). Evaluating the Apple classrooms of Tomorrow (SM). Technology assessment in education and training, 173, 198. (Baker, Gearhart, and Herman, 1994), Apple Classroom of Tomorrow explores the effect of interactive technologies on learning in 5 schools. The objectives of ACOT were to promote instructional innovation and promotion of computers to aid student program and access to technological resources. The rationale for the research included; ACOT resulted in new educational and learning experiences. Negative findings include establishing there was no relation between use of technology and student performance. Schacter, J. (1999). The impact of education technology on student achievement: What the most current research has to say. Dale (1999), tried to establish the influence of integrated learning systems on the performance and accomplishment of students. The rationale for the study includes an increase in student participation and student consistency in accessibility of technology (Schacter, 1999). Harold (1998), assessed the impact of simulation and technologies. He tried to establish the relationship between the technological application and education and learning outcomes. Zucker, A., & McGhee, R. (2005). A study of one-to-one computer use in mathematics and Science instruction at the secondary level in Henrico County Public Schools. SRI International. SRI Project, P12269. Zucker and McGhee, (2005), technological devices use in the school affects the way students and teachers think about education and learning. Laptop use makes the students be more fascinated with schoolwork. O’Hara, S., Pritchard, R., & Hall, P. A. B. P. (2009). What is the impact of technology on learning. Education. Com. O’Hara, Pritchard, & Hall, (2009), observed selected studies, ones they criticized as the most methodologically correct and that investigated alteration over time. They ended that a number of research studies have presented convincing facts that technology can be efficient in teaching fundamental skills, and significantly develop scores on consistent accomplishment tests. Silvin-Kachala, J., & Bialo, E. (2000) report on the effectiveness of technology in schools . Washington, DC: Software and Information Industry Association. The Logic and Logic Model of Technology Evaluation, 653. Silvin-Kachala and Bialo (2000) reviewed educational technology research studies from the late 1980s to 2000. They found that technology has continued to make a considerable positive effect on education and student learning. Hypothesis and Methodologies Research hypothesis Technology has a positive impact on education by improving the platforms of learning, thereby making learning more effective and efficient. Research Questions For one to comprehend and understand if the use and implementation of technology in education is of any effect in relation to improving students learning attainment, there are two questions that are presented that will assist us to uncover the authenticity of this hypothesis. The questions include: 1. In what ways does technology improve the learning process 2. How effective is technology in the education/ learning system? Research Methods In this analysis, the study employs the use of survey method where we review studies that have been accomplished recounting the effect of technology on education and students learning and accomplishments. In the survey, we employ the use of secondary data to evaluate and analyze the findings and conclusion of assorted researchers merging them in this research to have a solid understanding of the theory in question. References Baker, E. L., Gearhart, M., & Herman, J. L. (1994). Evaluating the Apple classrooms of tomorrow (SM). Technology assessment in education and training, 173, 198. Kulik, J. A. (2003). Effects of using instructional technology in elementary and secondary schools: What controlled evaluation studies say. Arlington, VA: SRI International. Schacter, J. (1999). The impact of education technology on student achievement: What the most current research has to say. Silvin-Kachala, J., & Bialo, E. (2000). research report on the effectiveness of technology in schools . Washington, DC: Software and Information Industry Association. The Logic and Logic Model of Technology Evaluation, 653. Sivin-Kachala, J. (1998). Taking Stock: What Does the Research Say About Technologys Impact on Education? Interview with Jay Sivin-Kachala. Technology & Learning. Zucker, A., & McGhee, R. (2005). A study of one-to-one computer use in mathematics and science instruction at the secondary level in Henrico County Public Schools. SRI International. SRI Project, P12269. O’Hara, S., Pritchard, R., & Hall, P. A. B. P. (2009). What is the impact of technology on learning. Education. com. Read More