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ERIC Number: ED549084
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 127
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-2673-3809-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
A Participatory Evaluation of the Use of Social Networking Tools in a High School Math Class
Wormald, Randy J.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northeastern University
As we move into the 21st century, the needs of our students are more variable than ever. There has been a proliferation of social networking usage in society yet there has been little use of those emerging tools in schools as a means to enhance student learning. It is a common practice in school districts to block social networking sites and online collaborative tools (Cramer & Hayes, 2010; National School Boards Association, 2007; Toppo, 2011). This study explored the benefits of employing social networking tools into a math class in a rural high school to determine levels of engagement, motivation, and perceived educational advantages. This qualitative study was investigated through the lenses of student engagement theory, online learning theory and guided social constructivism. Participatory evaluation guided this collaborative research project that allowed participants (the teacher and his students) to be researchers and take ownership of their learning. A two-week unit was taught implementing social networking tools as the main instructional methodology to high school freshmen in an algebra II class. The teacher led his students in focus groups to reflect on their learning experience and inform future implementation of the social networking tools for learning. Following the first unit reflection, a second unit was implemented using the social networking tools again, but utilizing suggested revisions as identified by the teacher and his students. This study has the potential to inform the literature on the acceptance of using social networking tools for instructional use. Keywords: student engagement, motivation, social networking, math, constructivism [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Secondary Education; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A