THE INSTRUCTIONAL USE OF BLOGS AND WIKISFOR K-12 STUDENTSRENA A. SHIFFLETA Dissertation Submitted in PartialFulfillment of the Requirementsfor the Degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATIONDepartment of Curriculum and InstructionILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY2008THE INSTRUCTIONAL USE OF BLOGS AND WIKISFOR K-12 STUDENTSi
Rena A. Shifflet221 PagesMay 2008The purpose of this study was to investigate how blogs and/or wikis were used byK-12 classroom teachers, how these teachers determined when and why to use thesetechnologies with their students, and teachers’ perceptions of how these tools affectedstudents and student writing. With the understanding that technology and the resultingliteracies are changing at an ever increasing rate, this researcher chose to look deeper intothe intent for utilizing these tools for student instruction.Using a qualitative case study approach, eight K-12 teachers were interviewed for this study. In addition, teacher-generated and student-generated blogs and/or wikis wereexamined. Data analysis suggested that the availability of an authentic audience wassignificant motivation for participants to choose to use blogs and/or wikis with their students. Evidence of other perceived student impact is also discussed.Since blogs and wikis are web-based applications and considered to be forms of technology, this study also probed to find the reasons behind teachers’ determination touse technology in lieu of other methods of instruction. Evidence from this studysuggested that the participants’ intents for using a blog or wiki were in accord with their determination of when to use technology for instructional purposes. The researchers’ pedagogical beliefs were also in play. These findings add a deeper complexity to previousknowledge about the influence of pedagogical beliefs on the instructional use of technology.ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSFirst I must thank my participants. I continue to be awed by the generosity of educators toshare their knowledge and experience in order to help others. Their willingness to allowme to question and probe their instructional use and beliefs about technology serve as atestament to their motivation to be life-long learners. I have no doubt that their storieswill serve as an inspiration to others.A very special thank you goes to my dissertation chair, Dr. Cheri Toledo. When Ifirst met Cheri five years ago, I knew I had found a kindred spirit. She not onlyunderstood, but shared my passion for teaching and learning with technology. Over timeshe has been my teacher, mentor, collaborator, advisor, and most of all a cherished friend.While her role as chair may have ended, her other roles have not as I will have the goodfortune to continue to work with her in higher education.I would also like to thank my other committee members, Dr. Ellen Spycher andDr. Tony Lorsbach. Every doctoral candidate should be as fortunate as I was to have this perfect committee. They offered me direction when I felt totally lost. They offered meencouragement when I thought there was no end in sight. Their comments andsuggestions helped to make my work richer. They will always have my deepest respectand admiration for their abilities and professionalism as educators.Most importantly, I must express my sincere appreciation for my family,especially my husband, Michael. He never once questioned why a retired teacher wouldwant to pursue yet another degree. He did everything in his power to make it easier for me to concentrate on completing this work; from doing household chores, making dinner,iii
Search History:
Result 00 of 00
00 results for result for
p.
Instructional Use of Blogs and Wikis - Shifflet
5.4K
Reads
8
Readcasts
6
Embed Views
Notes
Load more
