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Technology

Guidelines for Action Research Project Technologies of Instruction and Media Program

The action research project is a significant work that blends theory and practice into a culminating project for the MA degree. Action research is a systematic way for a practitioner to study an educational environment through an iterative process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The project might include the creation of some type of educational media (e.g., web site, video) or the study of a particular learning environment (e.g., technology integrated into a physical classroom, district technology curriculum, online course). All action research projects include a written paper that situates the project within specific literatures and social/cultural/pedagogical contexts.

Second Reader: You must have a second reader regardless of which option you choose for your MA degree. A second reader is a graduate faculty member who you choose with your advisor. Your second reader can be someone outside the school or college but should be someone with whom you have taken one ore more courses. It is your responsibility to ask a faculty member to serve as a reader. You should have your second reader confirmed near the mid-point of your program or not more than two quarters before you graduate.

Project Presentation: Typically, you will present your project to your advisor and second reader. This 20-minute presentation is followed by a half hour question and answer period. If you created a media production, the presentation should be balanced between describing the production process and demonstrating the project that you created. If you studied a technology enhanced learning environment, then the presentation should be balanced between providing a context for the study and the results of what was learned.

Timeline: You must submit a proposal (3-5 pages) of your project to your advisor and your second reader at least two quarters before you graduate. Approval of your proposal is a required step in the project process. For example, if you want to graduate at the end of spring quarter then you need to turn in your proposal by the end of the autumn quarter. The proposal should include three sections:

  1. Background to the project
  2. Project Idea
  3. Production Plan and Schedule if creating a media project, or a Timeline if you are studying a learning environment.

At the beginning of the quarter that you plan to graduate you will complete the application to graduate sheet due the first Friday of the quarter. During this quarter you will schedule the project presentation with your advisor and second reader. Be sure to schedule the defense at least a week before the graduation form is due at the Graduate school. You should also reserve a room in Ramseyer for 1.5 hours (688-4007).

Project: Most action research will be comprised of two components, the production product and a reflection paper. A typical reflection paper should be between 20-30 pages and include some combination of the following elements following components:

  1. Title page
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Introduction
  4. Background of the project
  5. Literature-based Rationale for the project
  6. Project Description *
  7. Reflection
  8. Conclusion
  9. Appendices *

You will decide which of these components to select with your advisor.

* The Project Description should describe your work in some detail and the Appendices should include documents you used in your work.

For Media Projects, the description should cover the design and production process, formative evaluation and summative assessment. Storyboards and/or other design documents should be included as appendices. Flow charts and other diagrams may be included in the description or attached as appendices. The production product could include one or more of the following items:

  • CD-ROM
  • Web Site
  • DVD

Make certain that you provide four copies of the final production project to your advisor.

For Learning Environment Studies, the project description should include general descriptions of the setting (physical or virtual), the population (e.g., students, teacher), and your relation to it (e.g., teacher, visitor, resource teacher). Then you should describe the focus of your attention in this project (e.g., how webquests are used, the effects of using podcasting) and your methods of study (observation, interview, etc). The description should go on to state what you have found, including discussion of observed examples for salient points. Any interview protocols, observation sheets, and other tools of observation you used should be attached as appendices. A detailed observational timeline should also be included.

For any other types of project, consult closely with your advisor to develop a project outline similar to those above. The scope of your project must be approved before you begin work on it. Include this approved outline as an appendix to your paper.