March-ISTE+Research+Paper+Summary

 Establishing Acceptable Evidence: Taking Technology-related Action Research beyond the Classroom.   The authors of this article suggested that action research might provide a tool for other researchers to aggregate data to produce results that could be used for other study and practice. The three-pronged purpose of this article was: 1) to describe an online tool (based on Dana and Silva’s model of teacher inquiry) used to aggregate data about classroom-based achievement, 2) study the results of the data gather from the previously mentioned tool, specifically regarding student achievement and the use of technology, and 3) describe the plans for modifications and expansion of the previously mentioned tool.    The study found that 78% of teachers documented change in student test scores, high thinking skills, retention, and transference. Teachers reported noticeable improvements in student performance. Over 60% of teachers reported an increase in enjoyment, motivation, engagement, and on-task behavior. Multiple teachers reported students demonstrating 21st Century Skills.   Based on the results of the study, the online tool has been revised to simplify the process for teacher data entry and created categories related to effective teaching practices. A second year of data collection has begun. Results similar to the previous findings are emerging. The revised tool has been renamed the Action Research for Technology Integration (ARTI).    [|Establishing Acceptable Evidence] by Kara Dawson, Cathy Cavanaugh, and Albert D. Ritzhaupt 