7/30/2019 EDET 780 Dissertation Reviews

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Abigail Magaro

EDET 780

May 27, 2013

Introduction

This year I have been a substitute in Lexington District 1. The first thing I noticedwhen subbing at a middle school was that every student had an I-pad. The students

were given an I-pad to use for the school year with the expectation they would be

returned at the end of the year. The elementary schools in this district were given

around 6 I-pads per classroom to use for the school year, along with every teacher

getting an I-pad to take home and use for the year. I wanted to take a look and see

whether one-to-one computing is as beneficial as the majority of people think.

Dissertation #1

A Case Study of One-to-One Computing: The Effects on Teaching and Learning.

Meyer, Richard C. (2007) A Case Study of One-to-One Computing: The Effects on

Teaching and Learning. Degree of Doctor of Education, dissertation. University ofNebraska.

Retrieved on May 25, 2013 from Dissertations and Theses. Full Text

http://search.proquest.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/pqdtft/docview/304839961/13E4D

D2A8B953FE0FCD/4?accountid=13965

Summary

The study evaluates the changes in the classroom with the implementation of one-

to-one computing. The researcher asked teachers, principals, assistant principals,

and media specialists their opinions and views of one-to-one computing. One theme

arose from each interview. Each interviewee mentioned the increase in student

motivation. The teachers who were interviewed also noted that they have seen an

increase in active learning strategies.Review

It is interesting to me that all interviewees mentioned the increase in student

motivation. When I was observing students using one-to-one computing with I-

pads, many of the students were using the I-pads, but not for their intended

purposes. I-pads were not around when this dissertation was written so perhaps if

this study was conducted again, the results may be different.

Dissertation #2

Distributed Learning in Designing Curriculum in a One-to-One Computing

Environment.

Smith, Ronald H. (2009). Distributed Learning in Designing Curriculum in a One-to-

One Computing Environment. Doctor of Education in Educational Technology,

dissertation. Pepperdine University.

Retrieved May 25, 2013 from Dissertations and Theses. Full Text.

http://search.proquest.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/pqdtft/docview/305181452/13E4D

D2A8B953FE0FCD/7?accountid=13965

Summary

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7/30/2019 EDET 780 Dissertation Reviews

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The study looks at one-to-one computing and if teachers are using the technology to

its full potential. The researcher also dives into the relationship between

technology use and student achievement. Analysis showed that most teachers were

able to design their curriculum with the use of technology resources. The data also

showed that classroom where students had all day availability to computers, only

half of the teachers included computer technology into their daily activities. Studentachievement was increased with the increased use of computers in the classroom.

Review

The researcher spent a lot of time determining if teachers were using the technology

in designing their curriculums, however there was not a lot of focus as to what the

students were doing with their computers. In my opinion, the study should have

focused more on the student and their opinions of the one-to-one computing and if

they feel as if they are benefitting. I do like the fact that the researcher pointed out

that teachers who have more experience with 21stcentury technology will use it

more, but they are also more likely to work collaboratively with their fellow

teachers and share information.

Dissertation #3

Handheld Computing and the Effects of the One-to-One Ratio on Learning

Alexiou-Ray, Jennifer. (2006). Handheld Computing and the Effects of the One-to-

One Ratio on Learning: Parental Perceptions and Student Attitudes. Doctor of

Philosophy, dissertation. University of Alabama.

Retrieved May 28, 2013 from Dissertations and Theses. Full Text

http://search.proquest.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/pqdtft/docview/305350957/13E515

FE4EC153E8E2D/5?accountid=13965

Summary

The study takes a look at hand held computing devices used in a fifth gradeclassroom. The researcher analyzes students attitudes before and after a nine week

trial of using the computing devices as part of their everyday activities. The

students were asked if their attitudes towards technology have changed and their

work analyzed to see if the technology benefitted their learning. Questionnaires

were sent home to parents and it asked them about their childs study habits and

their perceptions towards hand held computing devices in the classroom.

Review

I really enjoyed this dissertation and the way it was written. During the data

analysis, the researcher not only lists the research questions again, but she used the

data to answer those questions. For each question the researcher discusses all data

pertaining to that particular question. Interview questions and answers betweenstudents, parents, and teachers are used so that the reader can fully understand the

link between her summary of the questions and the data justifying the summary.

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