Collaborative Inquiry Project

(Outline)

To what extent is effective learning encouraged or inhibited when classes

are conducted a computer lab?
KSAs
KSA #1: Contextual variables
KSA #9: Approaches to teaching & learning
KSA #10: Technology & teaching
KSA #13: Home & community resources
Description
Inquiry into this question will occur through observation of the pros and cons of
conducting Social 20-1 and Legal Studies 30 in a computer lab. Throughout the semester
I will monitor for several different indicators of success such as; student focus, student
engagement, student initiative and responsibility for their own learning, as well as quality
of work and efficiency and timeliness of retrieving information. These indicators will
determine whether conducting academic courses in a computer lab is beneficial to student
learning or detracts from student attention and focus, inhibiting their learning. Through
my observations, I will be able to pin point the reasons why students success is either
encouraged or inhibited in a computer lab.
Timeline
(Ongoing)
Throughout the course of the semester, I will be implementing different programs and
strategies to attempt to use the computer technology to its fullest potential. I will observe
for the presence of the afore-mentioned indicators of success. I will also implement
classes throughout the semester where use of the computers is not permitted to track the
effects of an unplugged classroom. At the end of the semester I will conclude my findings
by reflecting on whether or not classroom management and student success was elevated
by the convenient access to computers each lesson. I will then create a report revealing
strategies and programs that were not conducive to the learning environment and
strategies that were very effective in encouraging good classroom management and
student success.
End products
(Indicators of success i.e. effective learning)
Student focus: Students are focused and on task throughout class activities. The
Internet does not distract students. Students are not using social media sites and other
distracting websites during class time. The use of programs, such as Net-Share, aid in
keeping students focused and on task.
Student engagement: The computers available to students during each class prove to
be effective at encouraging students to engage in class activities and communicate with

the teacher and other students through the use of online discussion and polling
technologies and applications such as poll everywhere and Desire2Learn.
Student initiative/responsibility: Programs and applications made available through
use of computers in the classroom aid students in becoming responsible for their own
learning. Programs such as Desire2Learn are used by students in order to keep track of
their homework assignments and missed work.
Quality of work: Computers allow students to produce work that demonstrates highlevel thinking and processing. Word processing technology also allows students to be
more organized and turn in professional and clean work.
Critical inquiry skills: Access to computer programs and the Internet prove to aid
students in effectively retrieving and analyzing information. Computers aid students in
completing critical inquiry projects by allowing students to investigate, immerse
themselves in and coalesce information.
Efficiency and timeliness of work: Technologies and programs, such as Desire2Learn,
allow for easy and effective submission of student work and timely return of assessments
and communication between student and teacher.