Innovation
HistoryEdited May 9, 2011 8:44 PM by Joseph Morelock…

Jeremy Ensrud: iPads in high school science


Ensrud-classroomWhat happens to student engagement when iPads are used in a science classroom?

An Examination of how Technology Impacts a High School Biology Classroom

Jeremy Ensrud, ensrudj@canby.k12.or.us

Download the presentation PDF here: Download file "ensrud-preso.pdf"



Origins of My Research

I have been interested in discovering teaching methods that motivate and engage low-achieving students in the science classroom. I have witnessed large gaps between the students that are engaged and successful in science, and those students that are unmotivated and struggling. According to E.A. Skinner engagement is critical in determining what children can accomplish. “Children’s active engagement in learning activities is considered to be the mediator between perceived control and actual accomplishments” (Skinner, p. 24). If disengaged students were encouraged to become engaged would they have more success in school? I wondered how I could engage the students in my classes that were struggling. Some of the research I read suggested that the use of student-centered technology might have a positive impact on student attitudes toward learning, motivation, self-confidence, and self-esteem (SIIA Report). Some students succeed regardless of the educational environment they are placed in, while others struggle, fall behind, lose interest, and fail. According to Richard Stiggins, “our success as educators in standards-driven schools turns, not on our ability to motivate bright high achievers, but on our ability to rekindle the desire to learn among those students who have given up on themselves and on us” (Stiggins, p. 44). How do I motivate students that are struggling in science?


Why use technology?

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes are essential in preparing the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow by developing critical thinking and problem solving skills. Many educators are already a step behind their students when it comes to using technology. We are teaching a generation of youth who have grown up connected to advanced mobile technologies. Mobile platforms are creating new methods for collecting and disseminating information within the classroom. “With the number of students gaining access to technology, we will begin to see advances emerge in our Nation’s classrooms. These may include simulations, specialized laboratories, Web research, data collection, analysis projects based outside the school, and experiences and communications with experts or even other students for projects” (NSB). I believe that the technology that is currently available we help students realize real-world connections between their classroom education and their future. “It is education that is meant to take us into this future that we can’t grasp… Nobody has a clue what the world will look like in five years time… and yet we’re meant to be educating them for it” (Robinson). The purpose of my teacher research project was to observe what happens to student engagement when students use iPads in a science classroom. Through the use of formative assessment feedback, summative assessment comparisons, student perception surveys, and classroom observations, I found that the use of iPads had a positive impact on both student engagement and performance in the science classroom.


Research Design

During the second trimester of the 2010-2011 school year I taught four high school biology classes using a classroom set of iPads for electronic formative assessments, summative assessments, and supplemental instruction. Almost all of my class worksheets were transcribed into Google form documents. The Google form documents were linked to a class website. The Safari application on the iPads was directed to the class website, so that the students had easy access to the assignments. I instructed the students on how to navigate the iPads, how to access the class website, and how to submit the Google form assignments. We also explored several biology applications and a flash card study aid called gFlash. Student developed vocabulary lists were uploaded to a spreadsheet on the student Google accounts, and then synced with the gFlash application. This application automatically generated flash cards and multiple-choice quizzes from a two-column spreadsheet. The students used this application as a study aid to enhance vocabulary retention. For summative assessments, students were given the option of taking the unit tests on the iPads, or on a Scantron. Most students chose the iPad, however there were a few that preferred the old fashioned paper and pencil. I asked those students why they preferred the Scantron, and one student replied, “I just don’t trust the technology.”


For data collection I compared formative assessments and summative assessments between classes using iPads and those not using iPads. I administered a Likert scale survey regarding student perceptions toward using the iPads. I also used a time-on-task observation chart to collect data regarding student engagement while using iPads.


Research Findings

Students were very excited to use iPads in the classroom, and the effect that the iPads had on the learning environment was very surprising. I found that the use of iPads in the classroom had a positive impact on both student engagement and performance in the science classroom. Students were engaged in learning activities, and the rate of classroom participation increased. Students reported on a survey that they were more likely to complete and turn in assignments that were accessible on the iPads. Students performed better on tests and quizzes. One of my students said, “I used to think I didn’t like science, your class has totally changed that!”

Using a time-on-task observation chart I observed that students were on task 97% of the time while using iPads. This was reflected in the turn-in rate for assignments. For all of my classes using iPads the average turn-in rate was 91%. Last year’s average turn-in rate was 80% for non-iPad classes.

As part of a collaborative team goal with fellow science teachers an ecology pretest was administered to two classes using iPads, and to two comparable classes who were not using iPads. The scores were recorded and compared to a post-test administered at the end of the unit. Students using iPads showed an average improvement 38% higher than non-iPad classes. There was significantly more improvement between the pre-test and post-test assessments for the classes using iPads. In the iPad classrooms 90% of the students earned passing scores on the post assessment with an average score of 80.5%. Only 70% of the students in the non-iPad classrooms earned passing scores, with an average score of 67.6%.


Conclusions

The iPad is a wonderful tool for assessing student learning. However, I believe we have only scratched the surface of the educational potential for mobile devices in education. Electronic assessment improves teacher-student communication by allowing students instant feedback on their assignments. It also allows the teacher to evaluate where they are being effective. “Assessments used in the classroom should increase relevant feedback to students, teachers, parents, and decision-makers and should be designed to continuously improve student learning and inform the learning environment” (Apple). In the traditional classroom most teachers don’t have the time to grade a student’s work and allow the student to remake their work or retake their test until they get it right. With the iPads and digital assessments this ideality becomes a reality.

In my classroom iPads significantly improved student engagement and performance. Students were excited about using this technology, which resulted in students being on-task and turning in more assignments. Immediate feedback and communication allowed students to identify where they were having problems, and it also allowed me an opportunity to re-teach topics that were obvious problems. I believe that mobile technology will revolutionize education by increasing productivity, enhancing student learning, and helping students make real-world connections between their classroom education and their future.


References


Apple, Inc. (2008). Apple classrooms of tomorrow—today: Learning in the 21st century. RetrievedMarch 19, 2011 from http://ali.apple.com/acot2/global/files/ACOT2_Background.pdf

National Science Board. (2006). America’s pressing challenge – Building a stronger foundation. A Companion to Science and Engineering Indicators. Retrieved March 19, 2011 from http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsb0602/

Robinson, K. (2006). Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity. TED. Retrieved April 3, 2011 from http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

SIIA Report. (2000). Technology improves student performance. Electronic Education Report, 7(18), 3.

Skinner, B.F. (1968). The technology of teaching. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

Stiggins, R. (2001). Student-involved classroom assessment. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Comments

/groups/innovation/search/index.rss?sort=modifiedDate&sortDirection=reverse&tag=2011-12list/groups/innovation/search/?sort=modifiedDate&sortDirection=reverse&tag=2011-122011-12 GrantsCustomTagSidebarCustomTagSidebar?sort=modifiedDate&sortDirection=reverse&tag=2011-120/groups/innovation/sidebar/CustomTagSidebarmodifiedDate5CustomTagSidebarreverse2011-122011-12 Grantscustom/groups/innovation/search/index.rss?tag=hotlist/groups/innovation/search/?tag=hotWhat’s HotHotListHot!?tag=hot6/groups/innovation/sidebar/HotListmorelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-16 00:59:56+00:002013-05-16 00:59:56updated9morelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:09:50+00:002013-05-01 01:09:50updated8morelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:09:34+00:002013-05-01 01:09:34updated7morelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:08:26+00:002013-05-01 01:08:26updated6morelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:07:59+00:002013-05-01 01:07:59updated5morelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:03:57+00:002013-05-01 01:03:57updated4Added tag - 2012-13morelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:03:15+00:002013-05-01 01:03:15addTag3Added tag - hotmorelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:03:11+00:002013-05-01 01:03:11addTag2First createdmorelocjJoseph Morelock2013-05-01 01:00:01+00:002013-05-01 01:00:01created1wiki2013-05-16T00:59:56+00:00groups/innovation/wiki/5a9ceFalse2012-13 Class Nights/groups/innovation/wiki/5a9ce/201213_Class_Nights.htmlJoseph Morelock9 updates2012-13 Class Nights Here is the link to sign up for "times" (just choose a slot, I'll delete the unused ones). https://docs.google.com/a/canby.k12.or.us/spre...Falsemorelocj2013-05-16T00:59:56+00:00Added tag - hotmorelocjJoseph Morelock2012-08-15 07:16:30+00:002012-08-15 07:16:30addTag3morelocjJoseph Morelock2012-08-15 07:16:08+00:002012-08-15 07:16:08updated2First createdmorelocjJoseph Morelock2012-08-15 07:15:01+00:002012-08-15 07:15:01created1wiki2012-08-15T07:16:08+00:00groups/innovation/wiki/19f15FalseInnovation Institute 2012/groups/innovation/wiki/19f15/Innovation_Institute_2012.htmlJoseph Morelock3 updatesInnovation Institute 2012 Here's the Alice in Wonderland ePub: [Download file "alice.epub"] Falsemorelocj2012-08-15T07:16:08+00:00Added tag - hotmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-31 22:31:12+00:002011-05-31 22:31:12addTag51morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-13 19:47:12+00:002011-05-13 19:47:12updated50morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-13 19:47:04+00:002011-05-13 19:47:04updated49Added tag - 2010-11meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-13 19:33:06+00:002011-05-13 19:33:06addTag48meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-06 16:56:39+00:002011-05-06 16:56:39updated47meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 21:07:27+00:002011-05-05 21:07:27updated46meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 19:45:23+00:002011-05-05 19:45:23updated45meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:44:58+00:002011-05-05 17:44:58updated44meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:36:46+00:002011-05-05 17:36:46updated43meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:35:02+00:002011-05-05 17:35:02updated42meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:34:09+00:002011-05-05 17:34:09updated41meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:33:31+00:002011-05-05 17:33:31updated40meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:32:24+00:002011-05-05 17:32:24updated39meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:31:44+00:002011-05-05 17:31:44updated38meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:30:18+00:002011-05-05 17:30:18updated37meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:29:31+00:002011-05-05 17:29:31updated36meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:27:20+00:002011-05-05 17:27:20updated35meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:25:53+00:002011-05-05 17:25:53updated34meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:22:14+00:002011-05-05 17:22:14updated33meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:21:01+00:002011-05-05 17:21:01updated32meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:05:41+00:002011-05-05 17:05:41updated31Added action research presentationsmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:04:05+00:002011-05-05 17:04:05updated30meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 17:01:54+00:002011-05-05 17:01:54updated29meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:59:18+00:002011-05-05 16:59:18updated28meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:57:52+00:002011-05-05 16:57:52updated27meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:55:01+00:002011-05-05 16:55:01updated26meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:53:21+00:002011-05-05 16:53:21updated25meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:51:27+00:002011-05-05 16:51:27updated24meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:50:33+00:002011-05-05 16:50:33updated23meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:30:00+00:002011-05-05 16:30:00updated22meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:27:55+00:002011-05-05 16:27:55updated21meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:26:08+00:002011-05-05 16:26:08updated20meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:22:06+00:002011-05-05 16:22:06updated19meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:18:15+00:002011-05-05 16:18:15updated18meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-05 16:15:03+00:002011-05-05 16:15:03updated17meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:49:36+00:002011-05-03 21:49:36updated16Removed tag - hotmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:49:34+00:002011-05-03 21:49:34removeTag15meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:49:29+00:002011-05-03 21:49:29updated14Added tag - hotmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-03 21:49:26+00:002011-05-03 21:49:26addTag13Added tag - wellnessmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:15:51+00:002011-04-08 03:15:51addTag12Added tag - healthmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:15:49+00:002011-04-08 03:15:49addTag11Added tag - blogsmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:14:54+00:002011-04-08 03:14:54addTag10Added tag - elementarymorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:14:38+00:002011-04-08 03:14:38addTag9Added tag - ellmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:14:35+00:002011-04-08 03:14:35addTag8Added tag - communicationmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:14:25+00:002011-04-08 03:14:25addTag7Added tag - writingmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:14:16+00:002011-04-08 03:14:16addTag6Added tag - readingmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:14:14+00:002011-04-08 03:14:14addTag5Added tag - awardsmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:14:11+00:002011-04-08 03:14:11addTag4Added tag - 10-11morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:13:55+00:002011-04-08 03:13:55addTag3morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:13:39+00:002011-04-08 03:13:39updated2First createdmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-04-08 03:13:33+00:002011-04-08 03:13:33created1wiki2011-05-13T19:47:12+00:00groups/innovation/wiki/9249cFalse2010-11 Innovation Grant Awardees and Research Projects/groups/innovation/wiki/9249c/201011_Innovation_Grant_Awardees_and_Research_Projects.htmlJoseph Morelock51 updates2010-11 Innovation Grant Awardees and Research ProjectsThe chart below shows all 2010 Innovation Grant awardees, their contact information and project title and a PDF of their narrative summaries as well a...Falsemorelocj2011-05-13T19:47:12+00:00Added tag - 2010-11morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:53:33+00:002011-05-10 03:53:33addTag13morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:44:34+00:002011-05-10 03:44:34updated12morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:44:12+00:002011-05-10 03:44:12updated11morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:43:47+00:002011-05-10 03:43:47updated10morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:43:35+00:002011-05-10 03:43:35updated9Added tag - hotmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:43:32+00:002011-05-10 03:43:32addTag8Added tag - ipadsmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:42:19+00:002011-05-10 03:42:19addTag7Added tag - ipadmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:42:16+00:002011-05-10 03:42:16addTag6Added tag - highschoolmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:42:12+00:002011-05-10 03:42:12addTag5Added tag - sciencemorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:42:10+00:002011-05-10 03:42:10addTag4morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:42:05+00:002011-05-10 03:42:05updated3morelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:37:59+00:002011-05-10 03:37:59updated2First createdmorelocjJoseph Morelock2011-05-10 03:33:48+00:002011-05-10 03:33:48created1wiki2011-05-10T03:44:34+00:00groups/innovation/wiki/1b2b8FalseJeremy Ensrud: iPads in high school science/groups/innovation/wiki/1b2b8/Jeremy_Ensrud_iPads_in_high_school_science.htmlJoseph Morelock13 updatesJeremy Ensrud: iPads in high school science [ensrud-preso.002.png]What happens to student engagement when iPads are used in a science classroom? An Examination of how Tec...Falsemorelocj2011-05-10T03:44:34+00:00meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:50:05+00:002011-05-03 21:50:05updated14Added tag - hotmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:50:04+00:002011-05-03 21:50:04addTag13Added tag - collaborationmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:48:23+00:002011-05-03 21:48:23addTag12Added tag - smartmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:48:16+00:002011-05-03 21:48:16addTag11Added tag - datameeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:48:10+00:002011-05-03 21:48:10addTag10Added tag - academicmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:48:09+00:002011-05-03 21:48:09addTag9Added tag - sciencemeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:48:00+00:002011-05-03 21:48:00addTag8meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:47:38+00:002011-05-03 21:47:38updated7meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:47:21+00:002011-05-03 21:47:21updated6Added tag - ipadsmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:42:56+00:002011-05-03 21:42:56addTag5Added tag - innovation grantmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:42:44+00:002011-05-03 21:42:44addTag4meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:42:34+00:002011-05-03 21:42:34updated3meeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:38:09+00:002011-05-03 21:38:09updated2First createdmeeuwsecMeeuwsen, Carol2011-05-03 21:36:37+00:002011-05-03 21:36:37created1wiki2011-05-03T21:50:05+00:00groups/innovation/wiki/ec9ddFalseInnovation Grants Deliver Academic Gains/groups/innovation/wiki/ec9dd/Innovation_Grants_Deliver_Academic_Gains.htmlMeeuwsen, Carol14 updatesInnovation Grants Deliver Academic Gains Thirty technology innovation grant teachers recently completed their action research course with presentations demonstrating outcomes based ...Falsemeeuwsec2011-05-03T21:50:05+00:00hot/groups/innovation/search/index.rss?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcomelist/groups/innovation/search/?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcomeRecent ChangesRecentChangesListUpdates?sort=modifiedDate&kind=all&sortDirection=reverse&excludePages=wiki/welcome0/groups/innovation/sidebar/RecentChangesListmodifiedDateallRecent ChangesRecentChangesListUpdateswiki/welcomeNo recent changes.reverse5search