Looking for IWB dissertations.!!

[leslieramsey]

I was contacted by a vice principal in Brooklyn, NY who is going for her doctorate and wants to do her dissertation on the use of IWBs in the classroom...she was wondering if I knew of anyone else who had chosen this topic in the past and would perhaps not mind sharing some/all of the dissertation. She has already checked out the reports and white papers listed under Research on the website, but wants something a little more dissertation-ish (I just made up that word... can you tell?)

Does anyone know of someone who has done this and would be willing to have this vice principal contact him or her about it?
:rolleyes:

[LisaD]

Hi Leslie,

I know of two folks in Georgia who wrote their dissertations on Activboard-related stuff. But haven't had much luck though in getting them to share it with me. :( But, I'll ask again and let you know.

Lisa

[leslieramsey]

Thanks Lisa! They would really be doing ALL of us a favor if they would share!

[LisaD]

Hey, what do you know! One of them sent me her dissertation!

I'll send it to you privately as I'm not sure how public she wants this to be but I'll put in some of the ending results. (Note that the research was based on only 6 teachers with many, many variables working.)

But one thing in common was that they ALL did have an Activboard in their classroom and one had Activprimary. Their staff development was NOT particularly focused on the Promethean software as integration training was provided by a third party company who unfortunately focused on Powerpoint and MovieMaker!

But here are some interesting interview responses from the teachers. (Also note that EIW means Electronic Interactive Whiteboard)

Teachers’ responses to the 25 interview questions included the following summary themes:
* More computers in the classroom would improve their ability to implement technology enhanced activities and would increase the students’ use of technology.
* There are too many district initiatives going on at the same time for teachers to implement any single project fully.
* Every classroom should be equipped with the Electronic Interactive Whiteboard and ceiling mounted projector, not just the fourth-grade classrooms.
* Students pay closer attention to the lesson or activity when the teacher allows them to interact with the EIW, and students are more engaged with the lesson when using the EIW.


All 6 participating teachers agreed with the following statements concerning what they had experienced or observed during the grant project’s duration:

It is easy to draw on a greater number and wider variety of information and learning resources.
EIW resources can be used flexibly and spontaneously in response to different needs.
Materials generated in the classroom can be saved and re-used.
Students can be encouraged to use Internet-based information resources independently.
The EIW frees up time for interaction and task-related activity.
The EIW is an effective stimulus for teacher-student interaction.
The EIW is an effective means of enabling students to present and discuss work.
The EIW seems to make learning more enjoyable and more interesting.
The EIW can help teachers to give more effective explanations.
The EIW may help to improve learning outcomes and increase learners’ motivation.
Questions 14 and 16 ask teachers if they believe that the use of the classroom EIW contributes to student learning. All teachers responded positively to these questions, with the most frequently stated reason being students’ attention or interest in any topic was now “elevated”. Additionally, all 6 teachers expressed that using the EIW affects the extent to which students are engaged in the learning process, and all 6 teachers indicated that using the EIW in the classroom contributes to learning.

Question 17 requests specific examples of increased student interaction when using the EIW. All of the examples cited by the participating teachers referred to whole group instruction with students taking turns to demonstrate their knowledge at the board. One teacher suggested that students become the instructor while they use the board to solve problems, while another teacher mentioned that the board is a great visual for ADHD kids.

Lisa

[CPope]

I have a friend from Tiffin University in Ohio who is just starting her dissertation on the Activboard so it'll be awhile before we get any results. But we'll have access to the results and can have input on the setup of the research if we want.

Char