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Technology and WritingA Presentation by Lisa RamseyA Capstone Presented to the Teachers College Faculty of Western Governors UniversityIn Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Masters of Education in Learning and TechnologySeptember 16, 2014Student Mentor: Karen Lamb, MEdCapstone Facilitator: Dr. Robert Murray
Capstone Overview Students are not prepared for online
writing assessments. Instruction in writing and technology is
needed for successful assessments. The participants were comprised of
eight second grade students. The researcher believes student scores
will improve with writing instruction utilizing technology.
Reasons for Technology Motivates students.
Technology helps students who struggle with writing.
Writing strategies can be more easily demonstrated.
Participants 8 second grade students, 7-9 years old 6 girls, 2 boys Familiar with computers Ethnicity: 5 Caucasian, 1 Asian, 1
African-American, and 1 Hispanic 1 student with active IEP, diagnosis of
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Classroom Technology lab consisting of 28 desktop
computers, 8 tablets, printer, and an interactive whiteboard.
Software/websites available: Microsoft Word, Reading Rockets Mapping Template, BrainPop Jr., Drawing Box, and Google Sites.
Instructional Practices Action research Pretest and Post-test – graded by
paragraph writing rubric Writing Process – Mapping, Rough Draft,
Editing, Revising, Final Draft, Publishing
Instructional Strategies Interactive Instruction
Students working in pairs and groups to map, write, and share
Indirect Instruction Concept Mapping Writing to Inform
Results Quantitative Results
Student scores increased an average of 28%. Mode pretest scores 70, post-test scores 100.
Qualitative Results Students motivated and learned from technology Teachers felt students learned writing skills and
technology skills Conclusion
Technology can be effectively used to strengthen student writing.
Data by subgroups African American
Mean pretest – 80, post-test – 100 Mode pretest – 80, post-test – 100
Asian Mean pretest – 55, post-test – 100 Mode pretest – 55, post-test – 100
Caucasian Mean pretest – 74, post-test – 100 Mode pretest – 70, 75, post-test – 100
Hispanic Mean pretest – 70, post-test – 100 Mode prestest – 70, post-test - 100
State Standards TDOE – Writing Assessment TN Technology Academic Standards Gr 2
Technology Application ToolsTechnology Research/Information Tools
TN Common Core State Standards (CCSS)CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2 – Informational textCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7 – Shared research
Lessons Meet Standards Practice writing an essay on the
computer Application tools - word processing,
mapping, drawing box, website Reseach/Information Tools – BrainPop Jr Informational text – Sun and Moon
comparison Group research – movies on BrainPop Jr.
Obstacles and Issues Number of participants
Better outreach might have led to a higher number of participants.
Mapping softwareThe original mapping software was not available eliminating part of the lesson plan – the visual transfer of mapping to outline.
Overcoming the Obstacles Work with the 8 students allowed to
participate Search for online mapping tool when
software was not installed Successful project despite obstacles. Flexibility is key in teaching.
Evaluating Goals Did student scores increase after
instruction? Did students enjoy the project and learn
about writing as well? Did teachers feel the instructional unit
was beneficial?
Weaknesses Number of participants
Too few participants reduced results reliability.
Larger random samplingThe students came from a specific after school club which may have catered more to a certain demographic. A larger random sampling would increase validity.
Strengths Technology aides worked well in
motivating students to write. Lessons were a solid process of
instruction to teach writing. Technology was a useful tool in creating
the project – mapping, word processing, publishing.
Future Study Ideas How technology can aid English
Language Learners in writing
If technology can be used to accelerate student language development
Application – Tech Coach Share instructional strategies using
technology
Provide reference tools for teachers
Work alongside teachers in classrooms in developing curriculum for students.