Key Concept 6:
Educational Technology Research
6.1 Candidates will be able to create a literature review of a specific topic related to educational technology.
In AD 776/ ED 776, I had to work with a partner to analyze an educational problem and support it using several academic references. In this research paper, we examined the effect of digital tools on literacy skills in the elementary school setting. For this paper we read and reflected on eight credible online sources relating to our topic. After analyzing each scholarly source, we identified possible solutions to the problem we presented at the beginning, which explored the effect of digital tools on literacy skills. In conclusion, we found that technology and digital tools can be used successfully to help improve literacy skills in young learners, and if used appropriately, technology can enhance students’ learning in a variety of ways. Educators can use a variety of digital tools as interventions to help students who are performing below grade level with early reading skills. As technology continues to advance, teachers should become aware of the digital tools available in order to enhance students’ literacy skills.
6.2 Candidates will be able to apply the results of research about educational technology to practice and correctly cite sources in APA style.
Using the information from the paper I embedded above, my partner and I had to create a presentation in which we were asked to share our findings with the rest of our colleagues. We used the information to create and lead a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to share what we learned about the connection between digital tools and literacy skills in the elementary setting. See the final slide for our APA references.