Research

Research allows us to test ideas we may have. Fraenkel and Wallen (2003) summarize research as “a desire to find out how and why things happen, including why people do the things they do, as well as whether or not certain ways of doing things work better than other ways” (p. 7). Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles of (theories, and research related to) problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.

Research Reflections

I feel that research is a very important and necessary instrument in the field of education.  As a middle school Science teacher, I feel that I am constantly doing research in the Sciences to find the latest and greatest technology being used.  However, it is also important to my daily instructional strategies.  The statistical side of research is difficult for me to understand because I was not blessed with a “math brain.”  I thought the Educational Research class in the ITMA program was very challenging.  On the other hand, I now understand far more about the validity and reliability of resources than I did starting out in the program.  I also have been able to take what I learned about research and have applied it in my classroom with my students.

**All files are in the (.doc) format.

Research Documents

• Audio Research: Digital Audio
  This research document contains information about various learning styles and how audio can be beneficial as an instructional tool in the classrooom. Learning styles often determine which type of media should be used for instruction. I used a search engine on the world wide web to find this information. I do think that audio should be a viable option when developing course material.  Based on research done from Thompson, Simonson, and Hargrave in Kerr’s article, audio can be an effective way of enhancing a lesson.  Research proves that with the correct use of sound, learners are more likely to stay engaged and it can make internalizing the information easier. 
• Journal Article Critique: Educational Research
  In this research document, I critique an article entitled “Factors Influencing Exemplary Science Teachers’ Levels of Computer Use." This journal article was found using the ERIC search engine for educational literature. The research method used in this study is both an online and a paper/pencil survey (same survey collected using two different methods). The results of this research prove that even though a teacher may be exemplary, doesn’t necessarily mean a teacher is comfortable using technology in the classroom.  Teachers can never stop being “pushed” to do their best by continuing to learn about technology and its uses in the classroom.  Exemplary teachers, especially, should be using constructivist methods of teaching in the classroom, which goes hand in hand with using instructional technology in the classroom.
• Digital Audio Physical Concepts and Principles: Digital Audio
  This research document critiques a tutorial created by Syntrillium about the use of digital audio. This journal article was found using the ERIC search engine for educational literature. My research showed that the content from the tutorial is not as useful to a teacher or administrator as it would be to a sound technician or an Audiologist who must know how sound is created and processed.  A tutorial about how to use different programs or equipment to include sound in a lesson would have been more appropriate.  As an aspiring instructional technologist, I think that hearing the information from the tutorial one time was good for comparison reasons.  However, a technologist must focus more on how to use the tools to create effective instruction rather than how the tools work, such as a computer creating audio for a presentation.
• Research and the Web: Education and the Web
  This research was performed to determine the most effective instructional methodology based on student learning styles. I found this website by using a search engine on the world wide web. This article was perfect for what I needed.  I wanted an article that would give me some ideas as to what I could do to enhance learning in my classroom using learning styles as the foundation.  The article not only gives great ideas, but it also provides examples and templates for strategies that can be used in the classroom.  For example, one idea was to offer part of lesson using “dual mode,” so that the learner can choose the learning style in which they use.
• Distance Teaching vs Face-to-Face: Telecommunications and Distance Learning
  This document demonstrates my ability to read and interpret data. There were a variety of questions about distance learning vs. face-to-face learning, which I found to be very intriguing. I tend to favor distance learning after having been through the ITMA program. It provides a great deal of flexibility, which is great for someone with a full time job.
• Characteristics of Distance Learning: Telecommunications and Distance Learning
  This document demonstrates my ability to read and interpret data. This research also had a variety of questions that I found interesting. The final question asked me to address any concerns I had about beginning the ITMA program. These concerns were family planning and time management. My husband and I are excited to be able to start a family soon, thanks to the great ITMA team. I was able to graduate early so that we could start a family sooner than expected. However, time management was very difficult for me, even through the end of the program. But, it also taught me a lot about myself and how I operate. I am thankful for the experience this program provided.