The third outcome is that the overall adoption of technology will increase in elementary schools. This will be due to the activity suggested which is that teachers will use classroom technology more often. The output for this will be the number of assignments that are given to students that include the use of technology.
Research Design
The goal of this study is to understand and measure the learning ability and skill development of children with the help of technology. The children are placed in two groups. One group will learn in a traditional classroom setting, while the other group is taught in a technology adopted one.
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The research design method that will be used will be a mixed-method approach. The reason for this is because the things being measured include not only quantitative data such as numbers and averages but also qualitative data when finding students’ opinions and behavior.
The standardized tests that will be used are considered to be quantitative. These tests measure the skills, abilities and help compare students’ knowledge as well as find learning gaps. This type of test allows for data that are valid and reliable. The standardized tests will be given to both groups which include the traditional classroom and the non-traditional classroom.
The observation checklist that will be used is considered qualitative because it is not using any numbers it is simply based on the researcher looking into behavior. It allows the researcher to look into the “why” of the research. Questions such as “why is this student learning this and why is this student not?”
The last data collection tool that will be used will be structured interviews. These interviews will be considered quantitative because they can be easily replicated, and should be asked in the exact same way every single time.
These tools will aid in answering the research questions and testable hypotheses because by using the structured interview you can understand how and why a child might learn differently in a traditional classroom as opposed to a technology adopted one. The questions are aimed at understanding the overall comprehension levels, and the way that the children learn, as well as what they retain.
The second research question will be answered by using a standardized test. The children will be given a standardized test and will have their average scores calculated. The scores will determine the number of skills that were learned. This will answer the question of how technology affects the children’s skill set.
The last question that will be answered includes finding whether or not children will be able to feel as if they learned and retained the information that they were meant to. This will come from the interviews as well as the observations. While the observations are going on the researcher has the freedom to write down any side notes. This can include any type of behavior that stands out, or frequently asked questions.
The testable hypothesis is that there will be an increase in skills and grade averages for students who have the technology implemented in their classrooms.
Measurement
Instruments
The instruments that will be used to gather data will be standardized tests, performance checklists, and structured interviews.
The standardized tests will be used to collect data on children and how well they have learned the material that is taught to them. The test will test the effectiveness of technology integration in the classroom compared to the traditional classroom. This instrument will be used by requiring the test takers to answer all the same questions or a selected amount of them. The test is scored in the same way or in a “standard” consistent manner. This allows the tests to be compared based on the performance of an individual. These results from the test will be gathered and compared to further understand how effective integration of technology affects a child’s early cognitive development.
A checklist will be used as another method of data collection. This checklist will include whether the child was in a technology adopted classroom or if he/she was in a traditional one. While the researcher is observing, they will make a checklist to include the classroom atmosphere, the engagement level, and the level of participation. Once the classroom observation is completed the checklists will be compared for both types of classrooms.
Checklists are a part of the observation data collection method. In this particular study, the researcher will not be involved in the activities, a non-participant observation will be conducted, they will simply watch and write down what they see.
The last method that is going to be used will be structured interviews. The reason structured interviews will be used is because this specific study requires a set written list of questions. These questions must be predetermined and agreed upon before they are presented to the students. All questions must be asked in the exact same way to both groups of students. This will allow the researchers to have uniform information from both groups, and the results will not vary based on the level of expertise of the person conducting the interview. The interview will include questions directed to the students and learning that takes place. Questions about the children's feelings, thoughts, and possible concerns will be asked. These questions will focus on both types of classrooms.
The structured interviews are a type of quantitative research. They are easy to quantify because they are easy to replicate. They are also easy to test for reliability due to them being easy to replicate. The research is focused on the overall performance of the student.
Sampling
The population of interest is children in elementary schools. The sampling strategy that will be used will be stratified random sampling. The reason is that the sample population will be divided into strata of technology adopted groups and traditional classrooms. From those two groups, a random sample will be taken and there will be a mixture of both sets of students. There need to be prior considerations when doing this, and parents must be notified about their child taking part in the research study. There should be a specified date and time that is set by the researcher to begin the study.
Data Collection
There will be primary and secondary data collected. This means that a mixed-methods approach will be used. After collecting data from primary sources (standardized tests, observations, and interviews) as well as secondary data (peer-reviewed articles), the data will be analyzed and used to find the answers to the research questions previously stated.
It will be implemented by first using observation in the classrooms. The researcher will conduct a non-participant observation and will do this after a specified number of weeks. The observation will take place with the sample population in both groups. The two groups will be separated and the observation will take place.
The second method to be used is the structured interviews. After a couple of assignments, the researchers will interview each student individually, a parent or guardian will be allowed to listen but will not be allowed to be inside the interviewing room. This will be true for both groups and all students.
The last method will be standardized tests. These tests will be given to students right before the study is over. The researchers will administer the exams, and both groups will be placed together for this specific part of the research. The reason is to avoid any external factors to affect the children taking the exams. When placed in different classrooms or different areas an external factor can affect one group and not the other. Placing both groups in the same room, at the same time, under the same circumstances, will allow all children to be able to take the exams without any distractions. This will also make sure that results are accurate, and that the sample population is tested fairly.
Analysis
The data collection methods that were chosen were the methods that were decided to be the most efficient for this particular study. Therefore, the data that is collected from these should be analyzed without a problem. The data that is collected from both groups is to be compared and it will allow for the identification of positive and negative change.
Ethical Considerations
The ethical considerations that come with this research study include the confidentiality of the children and their information. Looking into private information of children can create ethical issues if not handled with care. The responses given when they are interviewed must be kept confidential.
There also needs to be professional competence coming from the researcher. There needs to be objectivity when conducting the observation because the researcher needs to avoid bias. The research must remain objective to maintain the study results valid.
Limitations
The limitations of this study include the sample size being children. The reason this is a limitation is that children are sometimes not able to give thorough answers to questions. This will cause a limitation when the interviews are performed. The questions will most likely not be answered as effectively. The questions could be too broad or too specific and since the study includes a structured interview, it would be very hard to change the questions or try to ask them a different way.
Another limitation can include the Hawthorne effect. This effect is defined as, “the tendency of people to work harder and perform better when they are participants in an experiment” (Cherry, 2018). Children are more likely to be distracted by a new person or an adult being in the room. They will most likely act differently or be afraid to participate in the way they usually do.
Another limitation is the sample size. There will only be two groups of students that are used as part of the research. This sample size might not be sufficient when drawing a conclusion.
Children’s learning style can also be a limitation because not every kid learns the same way and at the same rate. The limitation can also tie in with the way the teacher is teaching her students, and how efficiently.
The last limitation is the standardized test. The limitation can be the test not measuring what it is supposed to measure. The test might be given and it can provide reliable results but does not mean it will also be valid. If this test does not measure what it is intended to measure then it will not be valid and the results may not be accurate.
Sample Instrument
A sample of the potential interview questions will be explained and provided. The interviews will be structured as mentioned above. These will be set and they will not be changed, they will be asked how they are written to every student.
- Did you enjoy learning today, and why? * Open-ended answer*
- Did you understand what was taught in class? * Open-ended answer*
- What information did you retain from today’s class? * Open-ended answer*
- Do you think you can teach me what was taught to you? * Open-ended answer*
- What did you think helped you learn the most? * Open-ended answer*
The questions will all be asked in English because this study is taking place within the U.S and it is a known language for most participants. The data collected will be used to understand the sample of children better.
Conclusion
Overall, this study shows the benefits of technology use in early childhood. This study is focused on understanding the need for technology adoption throughout the United States and the world. After the study is completed, the researcher will be able to identify if technology integration and adoption allowed the children’s skill development.
However, there are various procedures and policies that must be followed when conducting this research and when trying to persuade overall adoption. The adoption has to be accepted by all, there has to be a big enough budget, and there has to be a will to adopt. If there is a will, then there should also be limitations and precautions that need to be taken when introducing children to technology. The implementation needs to be impeccable, to provide a sense of security to those parents who are not completely convinced that technology can provide benefits to their child’s development.
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