Method

Guiding Questions

1. How does 1:1 technology in an upper elementary school affect student

learning and engagement?

2. How does teacher mindset affect implementation of instructional

technology?

3. What are the main driving factors behind successful 1:1 technology

integration within the classroom?

4. How do teachers improve instruction through technology?

5. What technological applications are most useful and effective in the

classroom?

6. How does technology act as a distraction in the classroom?

7. How does technology act as an enabler of learning in the classroom?

Research Participants

The research participant for this study is a thirty-six year old fourth, fifth, and sixth grade

teacher in North Hills Elementary School, which is located in the Central York School District.

This district is in York County, Pennsylvania, and the school district is public. This participant

teaches in a multi-age classroom, and she has eleven years of teaching experience. This

classroom is of varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, and the academic ability levels

vary as well. These students range from the ages nine to twelve. The class size ranges from

twenty to twenty-four students, depending on the content block. All students are equipped with a

personal iPad for learning.

Instruments

Observations will be a main instrument used in this study, and they will be conducted in

the classroom during instruction, as well as during teacher planning time. Classroom

observations will include student interaction with each other and the technology used, teacher

usage of instructional technology, and the overall integration of iPads and its effects in learning.

The researcher will note moments of effective learning with the technology, as well as

happenings of distraction caused by the iPads.

Interviews will also be an essential component of the research. The researcher will

interview the participant before, during, and after visiting the classroom over a multi-week span.

In these interviews, the researcher will ask the guiding research question in order to retrieve a

personal outlook on 1:1 technology in the classroom. The purpose of these interviews is to gain

insight into the 1:1 technology classroom and its overall effects on teacher mindset, student

learning, and student motivation.

Design

This narrative research study will provide pertinent insight into the 1:1 technology

atmosphere, as well as generate possible solutions to distracted behavior and highlight instances

of effective instructional technology practices. The study will include qualitative data in the

forms of observations and interviews.

Procedure

1. The researcher will meet with the school administrators and participating teacher.

The intention of this study will be presented, and all questions will be answered.
2. The researcher will meet with the participant prior to the observations and

develop a trusting bond. Initial questions regarding 1:1 technology in the

classroom will be asked. The topic of teacher mindset will also be discussed.

3. The researcher will work with the participant to create a schedule that allows for

classroom observations throughout the school day. These scheduled observations

will include the language arts, mathematics, and social studies blocks of

instructional time.

4. Observations and ongoing participant interviews will be conducted over a

six-month period. Over this time period, the researcher will collect the story from

the participant and supplement the narrative with observational notes and

anecdotes.

5. Upon the ending of the six-month period, the researcher will conduct a final

interview with the participant. Data from the observations and interviews will

then be analyzed by the researcher to create a story from the participant’s

perspective.

6. The researcher will record the overall narrative in a research report.

7. The research will be used to share a unique perspective concerning 1:1 technology

and its effects on teacher mindset, student learning, and motivation in the

classroom.