Gloria D. Brogdon-Grantham Dissertation Prospectus Dec.

2, 2010

As early as 1929, Alfred North Whitehead argued that the way students learn many things in school produces inert knowledge knowledge that can be used to answer items on a school test but which is not available to the student when he or she is trying to solve a problem that requires that knowledge. The days of rote memorization education are gone. Interdisciplinary constructivism is the key to learning in the 21st century. With the rapid developments in technology and availability, there is a need for a generation of people who can analysis, reason, and synthesizes information in this age of technological growth. The use of technology as an interdisciplinary tool in education cultivates constructivist learning. This type of education is key to the growth of our nation. The public educational system in the United States will be forced to change or continue to fall behind in the global educational system. Introduction In this technological era, children in the United States have been exposed to technology since birth. This exposure has created a generation of children who require a different mode of learning and dissemination of information. The rapid pace and the nonlinear paths through which they receive information outside the classroom, many of them have difficulty handling the traditional linear classroom setting. The present educational system has not caught up with the changing pace of the electronic tools that some students are using

daily. It is very important that the educational field recognize and address the digital shift in the classroom, and embrace the tools that some students are using, outside of the classroom. Many of these students are very engaged in the learning process outside the classroom. The tools they use classroom engage them to the point, that many of them come to school to power down, and some are bored, due to the slow pace of the classroom setting. There are some students who are not engaged outside the classroom due to lack of digital access. This non-access creates a digital divide among students, leaving some students digitally ineapt. These students are at risk of lagging behind in the educational process. There are also concerns, that some educators may not see the value in using technology in the classroom. These teachers see the use of technology as a stand alone event, where the students get to use computers to find and view information for a single subject or topic. These instructors are basically using the computer as an electronic encyclopedia. Educators should embrace the interdisciplinary aspect of technology. Allowing students to construct knowledge using project-based learning. This type of learning offers them independence to synthesize an array of information in creating new meaning. This type of learning strategy creates abstract learners, who make connections, and assimilate meaning of information. The connection of meaningful information is important in this digital age. With the vast amount of information that each person encounters daily, it would be difficult to decipher and categorize that information without technology, and people who have knowledge in using that technology. The use of technology, delivers information in a non-linear fashion, enabling students to understand and learn the required

information and skills, based on their learning style. It also gives them an upper hand in the familiarity of the usages of technology as they move into the job market. As Mark Lepper states, The educational process in America has not kept up with the changing pace of technology. Although, most schools have access to the Internet, much of the content of the lessons taught dont involve the usage of computers as a daily learning tool for a specific lesson. (1). Constructivist Learning v/s Rote Memorization The disparity in the availability of technology and large class sizes, among public schools in the U.S., creates an educational environment that limits learning. Many schools still rely on rote memorization, as best practice in the classroom. By contrast, The use of new technology, such as Blogs, Wikies, Podcasts, and Multimedia applications in the classroom fosters constructivist learning. This type of learning enables students to become active learners, thus taking responsibility to learn concepts and facts for themselves. You should avoid dangling quotes that are not embedded in a point of your own. This is a good quote -- you might quote it at the beginning of your prospectus. Much of todays education is still based on rote memorization. The rote memorization method of learning does not allow students to explore an educational subject matter in-depth. Whereas, constructivist learning is an inquiry based learning style that fosters in-depth synthesis of information. This method requires the student to construct his or her own knowledge through in-depth research and practical application.

Research Problem: Technology and The Digital Divide

"If we teach today's students as we taught yesterday's, we rob them of tomorrow." -John Dewey A major area of concern in the changing trends of education is the Digital Divide. This is the divide of students who have digital access outside of the classroom and those that dont. A breakdown of socioeconomic and racial boundaries, that often render African American students and other non-Anglo students disenfranchised, in a society that requires connectivity, and collaboration. There is also a content divide in some areas of education. Much of the content usually does not address the multicultural aspect of society. I will thus create and design digital multicultural interdisciplinary curriculum that crosses socio-ethnic boundaries to help students understand the sameness of cultures. Initial Prospectus Questions I propose to research and answer these questions: A. Does the Digital Divide exist in American Culture? B. What impact, short and long term does the digital divide have on American society, C. Does digital availability and connectivity of students of different socio-economic groups differ in American society, if so, what causes these differences, and how can these differences are leveraged? Initial Research & Interdisciplinary Curriculum Development. I will conduct in-depth research focusing on the paradigm shift in how students learn today. This includes considering students: learning styles, what they learn, and the electronic constructivist

tools they use in and out side the classroom for learning and play. I will research, and create interdisciplinary digital curriculum using ten to fifteen (10-15) Web 2.0 /CR2.0 applications for education. These applications/technologies will include, but not limited to: Social media, e-Portfolios Blogs, Wikies, Video, Skype, Films, and Photography.
Works Cited
(1) Lepper, Mark R. and Chabay, Ruth W. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and instruction: Conflicting views on the role of motivational processes in computer-based education, Educational Psychologist, 20:4, 217-230. (2) Flavell, J. (1963). The developmental psychology of Jean Piaget. New York: D. Van Nostrand.

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