Raw Data

Regarding the data retrieved thus far, pertaining to teacher opinion with using cell phones in the classroom, similar types of questions were asked of the respondents in various different ways, to ascertain how they truly felt about the issue. A Likert scale model was deployed, for gathering this qualitative analysis. The first question, for example, was a generalized one, exploring opinions as to whether or not cell phones be allowed in the school for assignments.

All the respondents were certified teachers, and there were thirteen surveys analyzed. N=13 is a good representation, and comprises approximately seventy percent of this demographic.  The attitude in general is mixed, ranging from neutral to agree, and disagree. 

However, there were also a string percentage of respondents of who believe these devices can be helpful to students.  Hence, it appears there is a strong pro-technology consensus among this group surveyed.  

Thus far, the average grade to allow this usage appears to be grade eight.  Within this data, there are two anticipated results. The first being, there is great concern with information services ability to filter viewing inappropriate data.  The second is similar to the first, and it pertains to students using their phones to text and make calls at inappropriate times during school. 

The below list are some examples of the survey questions, with their corresponding results:

1	Schools should Use phones in class for assignments
	38.00%	Agree
	30.00%	Disagree
	23.00%	Neutral
	7.00%	strongly disagree
2	Allowing phones will encourage texting and calling
	53.00%	Agree
	23.00%	Disagree
	15.00%	Neutral
	7.00%	strongly disagree
3	It would be helpful if textbooks could be downloaded to phones
	69.00%	agree
	15.00%	Neutral
	15.00%	strongly disagree
4	I would allow my students to use their smartphones for scholarly purposes
	69.00%	agree
	15.00%	Neutral
	15.00%	strongly disagree

Thought i would put up a sample of my survey questions: It's designed to determine their trust in students, and those who control the technology within the school. 

Dear Education Professional:

My name is Anthony Anderson (Tony), and a Graduate Student from Georgetown College Kentucky. The following survey, regards the use of Smart Phones in the classroom, and your participation will be most appreciated. It is not necessary for you to put your name on the survey, and if you choose not to participate, simply do not return the questionnaire. It will be assumed you opted out of participation. In addition, the grade level you teach is not relevant to this survey, but your opinion as a teaching professional and education expert, is of great value for this research.  

Please be advised that by participating in this survey, you are giving your expressed permission to participate. (Please note, the word phone, refers to digital phones, such as Iphones and Droids, with graphical touch screens).

If you are a one who teaches younger students, please try to think as if you are teaching more advanced grade levels.

Students should be allowed to use their phone for educational purposes during school hours

(Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

Allowing students to have smartphones in school, will only create further burdens, such as texting and using their phones to call friends in my classroom.

(Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

It would be helpful, if students could have their textbooks downloaded to their phones, since JCPS text books are not allowed to be taken out of the building

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

I would allow my students to use their smartphone device to surf the internet for scholarly purposes (Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

Allowing students to use their smartphone in school to web search, would actually increase student engagement: (Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

The camera application on phones, for example, is a great way for students to take pictures of needed notes: (Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

The video recording application, for example, on a smartphones is a great way to aid students with recalling needed information: (Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

At one time or another, I have allowed students to use their phones in school scholarly activity: (Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

The best grade to begin using smart phones in school, for scholarly purposes is:

(Circle one answer)

1          2          3          4          5          6          7          8          9          10        11        12

If the school could guarantee they could block social media, and inappropriate material, I would be in favor of smart phone devices in my school: (Circle one answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

Our school district’s Information Service Department is sophisticated enough to block inappropriate signals being accessed via internet within our building: (Circle your answer)

Strongly Agree            Agree              Neutral            Disagree           Strongly Disagree

Reviewing statistics, for calculating the mean, average and standard deviations, to analyze teachers readiness for cell phone technology being integrated to the classroom, is like a hurricane on the horizon, ready or not, it is hear and coming. 

But, if you're like me, reviewing math, makes me crazy. Don't get me wrong, I like math, but only math I'm good at, and statistics is not one of those maths, am I alone?

 

However, these numbers will soon tell a story. Exactly what story, is yet to unfold. After all, not all students will have the maturity to handle this privilege of phones in their classroom, and some will abuse it.

Yet, we need not exclude all, due to the actions of a few.  Sounds very Star Trek.

Soon to come, will be copies of my research questions.

A brief addendum to the September 11 blog:

It was brought to my attention by Dr. H Peach, that I need to clarify what the term cell phone means, and a more vague term I often over-use, which is the term devices. For the sake of Action Research, it needs to be defined what these words actually mean.  Perhaps to fit in to the model of being worthy of scholarly research, hence not assuming the reader knows.

when referring to these “devices,” the two main technologies I would like to see students us, are their smart phones with touch screen interface, such as droids or Apple Phones, and/or IPad devices. 

Since the latter is far more expensive, I only include it since it is a viable option to cell phones, and have larger easier to navigate screens, the same web access capabilities, and can share the same applications between the phones and these IPad devices, in other word “personal technology. 

Here is a very good link I wanted to share and enjoyed reading: 

http://www.teachhub.com/how-use-cell-phones-learning-tools

Today I revise my survey questions, to fit more into a Likert scale format, for qualitative research purposes. The range is from: strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree. Hence, the lower the average score, the more teachers are in agreement with using smartphones, as a learning tool in the classroom. 

The higher the score, the more indifferent they are or the greater it reflects upon strong opposition.

The value of this data will enable me to prepare teachers for integrating student smartphone devices into their learning.


Far too often students have to compete for computers, due to limited resources, when they actually have web access sitting in their pocket. Yet, if there is a blanket policy of no Digital Smart Phones, than the use of this from class to class, will be at best arbitrary.  

Thus, the staff will be my market, and the survey will enable me to know if my market is ready for this product to be brought into school,

Perusing a Master’s Degree is a lot of work.  Once the prescribed courses, or what I call work dues are paid however, there is this sense of things coming together, and leaving one with a feeling that only comes with setting a goal and seeing it through.

Such an accomplishment might reflect on one’s personal humility, after all, it requires the student be teachable.  Unlike like life as an undergrad though, there is no holding of the hand, thus it is not the task for the passive.  It does however, evoke a sentiment of gratitude for those who came into your life, and helped make it happen.

Once such due, is learning to conduct valid publishable research, on a micro level for one’s particular classroom or place of work or business.  Hence, this requires a course called Capstone Research Project, which subsequently led to the creation of this blog, which focus on 21^st century technology in the classroom.

For the most part, my blogs will focus on the varied steps, and pitfalls while conducting the research, but this first posting will be an opinion-based opener, to introduce the reader to the topic.

The specific theme of the thesis is students using Smart Phones in their school. These devices can not only save their schools on money, but also enhance the students learning experience. 

The rational as to how this is justified will unfold in this blog, but for starts, the topic giving impetus to this project, is the teacher’s comfort level with this device.

It poses the question, is cell phones the problem or is teacher’s attempting to over-regulate and micromanage, and even ban them the problem? 

It is this researchers belief these devices are obviously here to stay, and have built-in capabilities to assist students. Therefore, they are a part of life, and should be, and in many cases are already, integrated in to the learning system.

Thus, the research is designed to look at these attitudes, to begin identifying certain belief systems, in order to develop further research that examines this belief, or Taylor training that challenges the beliefs and anxieties, and even feelings of loss of control.