Research Questions

I plan to determine the impact on second graders’ achievement by using individualized technology programs (Renaissance - Math Facts in a Flash, etc.) to learn math facts compared to using paper and pencil.

With the help of discussions with classmates, I have come up with some research questions to help me guide my research. They are:

Does using technology based programs to learn math facts increase student achievement on common timed math fact tests?

Is there a difference between student achievement when using technology programs to learn math facts compared to using paper and pencil?

Which type of approach effects student achievement on common timed math fact tests?

I feel that my overall approach to my research will be the quantitative approach. To be more specific, I believe I will focus on a true experimental approach. To carry out my research, I will sort my population into two groups. I will have half of the second graders using paper and pencil methods to learn math facts and the other half of the second graders will use technology based programs like Renaissance – Math Facts in a Flash to learn their math facts. Since “the unique characteristic of a true experimental design is that there is random assignment of subjects to different groups (McMillan & Schumacher, 2008)” I will need to randomly assign the second graders to each group.

I am interested in beginning some research in order to find some answers to my questions!

References
McMillan, J. H., & Schumacher, S. (2008). Research in education: Evidence-based
inquiry (Laureate custom edition). Boston: Pearson.

Problem Statement

I believe that learning basic math facts is a very important skill that needs to be taught in the elementary classroom. When students know and can quickly solve basic math facts, it will be easier for them to complete more difficult problems accurately and quickly. In my school district, we have many technology tools that we can use in our classroom in order to give students time to practice these math facts. Some teachers in the district feel that these programs have no benefits. I would like to look more into these technology tools to see if they do have a benefit compared to when teachers use regular paper and pencil when teaching math facts.

After thinking about what I would like to focus on for my research, I created a problem statement. It is important to start with a problem statement because “it communicates to others the focus and importance of the problem (McMillan & Schumacher, 2008).” I will use my problem statement to help guide my research.

I plan to determine the impact on student achievement by using technology programs to learn math facts compared to using paper and pencil.

Who: second grade students

What: technology programs to teach math facts compared to paper and pencil

Why: the impact in student learning


References
McMillan, J. H., & Schumacher, S. (2008). Research in education: Evidence-based
inquiry (Laureate custom edition). Boston: Pearson.