research plan (Cheung Lick Keung, Joe)

Cheung Lick Keung, Joe

Research Topic:
To find the relationship between the usage of ICT during class and students’ mathematics academic results.

Research Questions:
1) Does ICT enhance students’ learning in Mathematics in secondary school?
2) What are students’ attitudes about using ICT during Mathematics lessons?

Why is the topic important to be studied?

In the 21st century, modern society is undergoing many profound and rapid technological changes. Among these changes are the invention and rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT). ICT is affecting all areas of society. Getting the information from the discussion document of Right technology at the Right Time for the Right Task, the Hong Kong SAR government has invested 7.2 billions in IT in Education. A few years ago, teachers were trained to achieve different levels of IT competency. We had adequate software and hardware inside all public schools. The shakeholders had a more positive attitude towards using IT for teaching and learning. Based on my past 8 years’ experience, compared with ordinary teaching, using ICT can be a better tool to arouse students’ interests in learning Mathematics. Exchanging ideas between teachers and students, they can learn and teach interactively during class or even after school. Moreover, we can invent some interactive software for students to use.

Samples and sampling method :

Participants

In this study, two Secondary Four Mathematics classes are chosen for the research. Class A and B have 39 and 41 students respectively. One as control group and the other act as examined group. Using a practitioner action research as methodology, where I am a practitioner, researcher and participant in the study. Another Mathematics Teaching Assistant is an observer.

Design

The design of this study is mainly qualitative, with a small part quantitative. I act as a researcher and carry out the first person analysis of the data. I have tailor-made four topics in the first term. The experiment will divide into four phases: from September to December, each phase carries one month. After every period of learning, two classes will undergo the same mathematics test. Marks will be measured. The experiment wants to know whether IT would give positive relationship between students’ academic results and the usage of ICT.
To know about students’ attitudes towards ICT, questionnaires and class observation will be done.

How will the data be collected and analyzed ?

The students’ progress will be studied by comparing the Pre- and Post-test results of both groups and analyzed by the significance t-test respectively.