Final

Action Research Proposal
Using Technology to Motivate and

Engage Learning
Gisela Parrilla
EDU671: Fundamentals of Educational
Research
Instructor Dennis Lawrence
May 05, 2014
Area of Focus
The purpose of my study is trying to engage
students using technology such as software,
mobile applications, and internet resources.
I chose to go with using simple technology such
as Microsoft PowerPoint, to simply illustrate
lectures rather than to go about it the traditional
way of standing and lecturing to a class.
PowerPoint allows for the embedding of audio
and visual aids which are beneficial.
Explanation of Problem
My area of focus is finding solutions for a
problem that I think is important, students that
lose interest or motivation in their studies,
sometimes causing them to continue with the
lack of motivation and engagement for the
remainder of their school careers.
Participants
High School Students:
9
th
Graders
10
th
Graders
Learners
This research activity is for all students, as all
9
th
and 10
th
graders will be included.
Questions
Does the use of technology increase (or
decrease) a students engagement and
motivation for learning?
Does the use of technology prove positive for
all subjects or only certain subject areas (i.e.:
general studies vs. technology courses)?
Does the technology have to be student
owned for success? Or can they have the
same results using in the tools in the
classroom as well as in labs equipped with the
technology tools needed?

Intervention/Innovation
It is my hope that once introducing students to tools that
will indeed keep their attention, and indeed keep them
motivated throughout the ninth and tenth grades, that
they will keep that motivation for the remainder of their
high school careers as well as throughout their post-
secondary education. Introducing students to these tools
is not just to get them to focus at this level, but to
introduce teachers to other ways to get their students
attention, and to keep their attention throughout lessons.
It is a learning experience for everyone involved, as it
benefits everyone, Students become motivated to learn,
and teachers are motivated by the students motivation.
Group Membership
Member Role, Responsibility, Purpose
Teachers Teachers may also be surveyed to help
determine from students if using certain
tools maybe beneficial. Facilitator of the
research
Parents Surveys, encouragement
Students Participants
Librarians For students access to computers
outside the classroom
Computer Lab Monitors For students access to computers
outside the classroom
Negotiations
Will all students have the same tools accessible
to them outside of the classroom if needed?
How to get all students access to PowerPoint
for either viewing lessons or producing their
own outside of the classroom?
Ethics
Making sure all parties involved in this research
feel that the information they provide will be
kept confidential.

The only parts made public, yet anonymous
would be my findings as well as results of
surveys, pre and post the research.
Timeline
I want to be able to have this research
completed within two years. But in reality it
may take possibly four school years to have
definite results. In two years, I would hope to
see at least 10
th
graders that are showing more
interest than previous ones, however, for
determining long term results, four would be
most necessary.
Statement of Resources
Items Needed Purpose
Computers Student use in classrooms
Microsoft Office Software
(with PowerPoint)
Student use in classrooms
Teachers willing to try
teaching with PowerPoint
as a tool
Teachers for qualitative and
quantitative data collection
Parents To complete surveys
School and Community
Resources (i.e.: libraries,
computer labs)
For student use outside the
classroom if necessary
Data Collection
Research Questions Data Collection Tool
Why this tool? Justify its use in your study.
How does it match with what you are
attempting to find and to measure?
Timeframe
1.
What technology tools
will help keep students
attention?
1

Student Surveys
2

Observation
3

Scales
Asking students directly what tools theyd like
to see in the classroom and for them to use,
as well as to possibly observe them in down
time to see what technology tools they are
already using in their down time for fun may
help point us in the right direction in terms of
finding tools for them to use.
Surveys distributed on first day of
class and returned within 3 days.
Observations to occur as often as
possible and for at least a month.
2.
Will these tools only
help in certain subject
areas or all?
Student Surveys
Teacher
surveys

Surveys asking students if certain
technology tools will help in specific subject
areas, as well as asking them to state what
tools they would like for specific subject
areas. Teachers may also be surveyed to
help determine from students if using certain
tools maybe beneficial.
Asking teachers for their input with
certain tools that they see their
students use, and having this info
within at least the first week.
3.
Will all students have
access to technology
tools? If not how can
they be made
accessible to all?
Surveys Interviews
This will have to be determined by teacher,
student, and parent and administration
involvement. Problem solving to find ways to
make the tools accessible to all.
Day 1. This should be determined
on day one, so that I can determine
what if any adjustments need to be
made. This data should be collected
within the first 3 days so that
adjustments could be made.
Resources
Gray, T. (2013). Technology and Its Role in Increasing High School Success. Retrieved April
20, 2014, from National High School Center: http://www.betterhighschools.org

Lewis, J. (n.d.). How to Use Technology to Improve Schools. Retrieved April 20, 2014, from
eHow.com: http://www.ehow.com/how_7856606_use-technology-improve-schools.html

Hollis, J. L. (1995). Effect of Technology on Enthusiasm for Learning Science. Tallahassee.

Mills, G. E. (2014). Action research: A guide for the teacher researcher (5th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson Education, Inc.

Technology, S. '. (2007, September 17). Students' 'Evolving' Use of Technology. Retrieved
April 27, 2014, from Inside Higher Ed:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/09/17/it#sthash.8ASR6nSF.dpbs

Waters-Adams, S. (2006). Action Research in Education. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from
Research in Education: http://www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/actionresearch/arhome.htm

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Action Research Proposal

Using Technology to Motivate and

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