UW-Stout--Student Research Fund Grant Application Cover Sheet Check one: This is a Research Grant Proposal This is a Dissemination Grant Proposal Provide contact information for all students involved: (attach additional sheet if necessary) Name: Evan Sveum Email Address: sveume@uwstout.edu Check One: Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduate* * Do you have a graduate assistantship? Yes No Signature: Phone Number: 715-232-5265 =============================================================== Project Title: Determining and Comparing the Computing and Internet Skills and Learning Experiences of Freshman and Senior Education Majors at the University of Wisconsin- Stout Project Beginning Date: September 2007 Project Ending Date: December 2008 Budget Requested from Student Research Fund: $2000 Research Involving Human Subjects: A human subject is defined as a living individual about whom an investigator obtains either (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual; or (2) identifiable private information. If your research involves Human Subjects, please see the Human Subjects web site: http://www.uwstout.edu/rs/humansubjects.shtml Have you completed Human Subjects Training? (if applicable) Yes No If you answered "Yes" to this question, please attach the Certification of Completion of Human Subjects Training to this form (ATTACHED Page 11) 1
By signing this form the research advisor agrees to: * Provide supervision on the research and budget for the proposed project * Review this application prior to signing for content and professional presentation * Assist student with transportation & lodging arrangements and reimbursement (to assure compliance with University rules/regulations) * Assist student with purchases and reimbursement (to assure compliance with University rules/regulations) I have reviewed the final proposal and approve this project: Research Advisor's Name: Department: Signature: Date 2
II. Purpose/Need The purpose of this study is to determine the computing and Internet skill levels and associated learning experiences of freshman and senior education majors at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The results of this study may be used to inform UW-Stout s School of Education (SOE) in the development of program curriculum to better prepare their students to use and model computing and Internet technologies as future education professionals. K-12 school systems in Wisconsin and the United States are generally well equipped with computing technologies. Along with the computing technologies, appropriate skills are also needed. Essentially, there is a need for teachers who know how to appropriately use computing and Internet technologies for purposes directly and indirectly connected with teaching. III. Objectives of the Project This study will address the following objectives: 1. Determine the computing and Internet skills of freshman education majors at UW-Stout. 2. Determine the computing and Internet skills of senior education majors at UW-Stout. 3. Identify the learning experiences of freshman education majors at UW-Stout in relationship to development of computing and Internet skills. 4. Identify the learning experiences of senior education majors at UW-Stout in relationship to development of computing and Internet skills. 5. Compare measured computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout. 6. Compare identified learning experiences associated with the development of computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout. IV. Methodology The data collection instruments to be used in this study are the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³ ) exam by Certiport and the Computing and Internet Skills Learning 3
Experiences survey designed and developed by the researcher. Two random sample groups containing 30 to 60 freshman education majors and 30 to 60 senior education majors will be used in this study. The study participant selection process will go as follows: 1. The UW-Stout Budget, Planning and Analysis (BPA) office will provide lists of all Fall 2008 freshman and senior education majors two weeks prior to the data-collection event. 2. All students on the BPA lists will be emailed to determine if they are interested in participating in the study. 3. Students who reply positively to participate in the study are put into new lists. 4. A random sample will be taken from the new lists and an official invitation will be sent (via email) to the students. A reply to the invitation is requested to confirm study participation. Data collection for this study will take place in Communication Technologies Building (COMT) 124 because it has the technical infrastructure that supports the use of laptop computers and accommodates up to 60 people. Laptop computers will be needed because the (IC³ ) exam is delivered online by way of Certiport s secure website. The data collection will proceed as follows: 1. Introduction. Set-up of laptop computers, overview of the study, review of the informed consent document and establishment of a Certiport account. Approximate time: 15 minutes. 2. (IC³ ) Exam includes the Key Applications, Living Online and Computing Fundamentals exams. Forty-five minutes per exam. Approximate time: Two hours and 15 minutes. 3. Computing and Internet Learning Experiences Survey (Paper-based). Identifies formal and informal learning related to development of computing and Internet technology skills. Includes recording of (IC³ ) Exam results. Approximate time: 15 minutes. 4. Payment of Human Subjects when Involved in Research form and Payment to Individual Approximate time: 15 minutes. 4
The data analysis of this study will reflect the study objectives. Study objectives one through four will use descriptive statistics including frequency counts, minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis. Study objectives five and six will use a combination of comparative statistical tests of significance. The t-test and the Chi-Squared test will be used for the data analysis of study objective five. The Chi-Squared test will be used for the data analysis of study objective six. V. Timeline September 2007 January 2008. Develop Computing and Internet Skills Learning Experiences survey. Receive research committee approval. Receive IRB approval to proceed with research project. February 2008 July 2008. Complete final revisions on chapters one, two and three of the research document. Make ready data analysis process. Secure payment to individual funding. Reserve classroom (Communication Technologies Building Room 124) for datacollection. Prepare email communications and other administrative documents. Make arrangements with the Certiport Corporation to have the (IC³ ) exam ready to use. August 2008 September 2008. Contact BPA office to obtain lists freshman and senior education majors to participate in the study. Select a random sample of freshman and senior education majors. Gather data. Begin analysis of data. October 2008 December 2008. Finish data analysis. Complete chapters four and five of the research document. Finish research document. VI. Evaluation Reflecting on the study objectives and asking the following questions will accomplish the evaluation of this study: 1. Were there at least 30 study participants in each of the two groups (freshman and senior education majors) to make the results of the data analysis credible? 5
2. Were the computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout identified? 3. Were the learning experiences of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout in relationship to development of computing and Internet skills identified? 4. What did the comparison of measured computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout prove? 5. What did the comparison of identified learning experiences associated with the development of computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout prove? VII. Dissemination Besides presenting the findings of this study at UW-Stout's Research Day and submitting the final research document to the UW-Stout Journal of Student Research, it is the intent of the researcher to disseminate the results to the SOE. Dr. Mary Hopkins-Best, Dean of the SOE, endorsed this study on November 9, 2007 (See attached email communications page 8) because the study data seemed to lend themselves well to continuous improvement activities and accreditation reporting. The researcher also intends on submitting conference presentation proposals and article submissions to organizations / publications that focus on topics associated with teacher preparation to use computing and Internet technologies. At the time of this research-funding proposal, the Certiport Corporation has extended an invitation for the researcher to present at their world conference in Orlando Florida. 6
VIII. Budget Services and Supplies Cost (IC³ ) Exams for 120 study participants. (Paid in Full!) $6300 Payment to Individual funding. (120 study participants * $20.00) $2400 Total $$$ Needed for Project $8700 Total $$$ Requested $2000 Without a doubt, this research project is an expensive endeavor. However, the trade-off is the use of a credible, standardized instrument ((IC³ ) exam) and data that can be trusted. Therefore, the requested funds will be used for payment to individual for those freshman and senior education majors who agree to participate in the study. The researcher believes that payment to individual will encourage an acceptable number of students to participate. It has been determined that a minimum of 30 students for each of the two study groups (see methodology) need to participate to make the results of the data analysis credible. It is also desirable to use all of the purchased (IC³ ) exams since they represent a significant investment. Finally, the researcher believes that the time commitment for the data-collection event is substantial due to the nature of the (IC³ ) exam. Each of the three exams that make up the (IC³ ) exam has a 45-minute time allotment. Add to the (IC³ ) exam the Computing and Internet Skills Learning Experiences survey and other administrative activities and the time required for the data-collection event is projected to be approximately three hours. Considering the value of time for the college student, this is a substantial sacrifice. IX. Final Report The final report related to this grant award will be submitted 30 days after the end of the grant period. The final report will address how the objectives were met and how the funds were expended. 7
Attachments Endorsement Email From: Hopkins-Best, Mary Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 2:40 PM To: Sveum, Evan Cc: Taylor, Julianne Subject: RE: Seeking your endorsement for my study... Thank you Evan. I very much endorse your proposal. The results will be informative for our continuous improvement. It would be helpful if you did an analysis by program too. Mary Hopkins-Best Interim Dean, School of Education University of Wisconsin-Stout hopkinsbestm@uwstout.edu (715) 232-1088 From: Sveum, Evan Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 3:33 PM To: Hopkins-Best, Mary Cc: Taylor, Julianne Subject: RE: Seeking your endorsement for my study... Hi Mary! My proposed research objectives are as follows: 1. Determine the computing and Internet skills of freshman Education majors at UW-Stout. 2. Determine the computing and Internet skills of senior Education majors at UW-Stout. 3. Identify the learning experiences of freshman Education majors at UW-Stout in relationship to development of computing and Internet skills. 4. Identify the learning experiences of senior Education majors at UW-Stout in relationship to development of computing and Internet skills. 5. Compare measured computing and Internet skills between freshman and senior Education majors at UW-Stout. 6. Compare identified learning experiences between freshman and senior Education majors at UW-Stout. I will be using two instruments in this study 8
One will be the IC3 Exams by Certiport. I received $$$ from the Provost s Office after a pilot study They measure basic computing and Internet skills. The other instrument is what I am calling Computing and Internet Skills Learning Experiences Survey. This survey (which is still being developed) has the purpose of identifying Formal and Informal Learning experiences that each study participant has experienced related to the development of computing and Internet skills. I would like to randomly sample 60 freshman and 60 senior Education majors. I am going to be meeting with my research chair (Dr. Sylvia Tiala) in the next week to decide on data analysis methods Even though I don t have my methodology solid, attached is the methodology that I have in my Chapter 1 Let me know! I appreciate your consideration! Evan From: Hopkins-Best, Mary Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 10:15 AM To: Sveum, Evan Cc: Taylor, Julianne Subject: RE: Seeking your endorsement for my study... Good morning Evan, Congratulations on being at this stage in your research!! The results of your study will provide important data for us to use in our programming and accreditation reports. The questions that I have mainly relate to research design, e.g. are you planning to compare education majors to other student groups? At what stage in their program? Are you using a survey? If you could you send a more complete description of your proposal we ll take a look at that and determine if we should set up a face-to-face meeting. Because we would incorporate the results into our assessment data, I m copying our assessment coordinator Juli Taylor on this correspondence. She is also a great research resource. Thanks Evan, Mary Hopkins-Best Interim Dean, School of Education University of Wisconsin-Stout hopkinsbestm@uwstout.edu (715) 232-1088 9
From: Sveum, Evan Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 8:51 AM To: Hopkins-Best, Mary Subject: Seeking your endorsement for my study... Hello Mary! As my subject line states, I am seeking your endorsement for my study. I am in the planning stages of my research. I have come to a point where my committee has recommended that I communicate with you and secure your endorsement. In general, I am doing a study of Education majors related to computing and Internet technology skills. What is your preference for getting more information on my study? Would you like to meet? Or, would you like me to give you a description of my study on email? I look forward to your reply! Thank you, Evan Evan Sveum Senior Lecturer Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Minor Adviser Apparel and Communication Technologies Department University of University of Wisconsin-Stout Email: sveume@uwstout.edu Web: http://faculty.uwstout.edu/sveume/ Phone: 715-232-5265 10
UW-Stout Human Subjects Training Certification Please print this page for your records. Name: Evan Sveum Stout ID: 18988 College or Unit: School of Education Training Date: 9/19/2007 9:35:40 AM Department: Other Phone: 715-232-5265 Comments: Copyright 2003 Research Services. All rights reserved. Revised: June 28, 2006 11
UW-Stout--Student Research Fund Grant Final Report Project Title Determining and Comparing the Computing and Internet Skills and Learning Experiences of Freshman and Senior Education Majors at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Study Investigator Evan Sveum Introduction were met. This final report will address how the funds were expended and how the study objectives Fund Expenditure (How the Funds were expended) Based on my initial funding proposal, I requested $2000.00 dollars to partly pay 120 potential study participants $20 dollars for their time. The actual number of students participating in the study was 55. Therefore, $1100.00 was spend ($20.00 * 55 = $1100.00). The remaining $900.00 dollars consists of: $660.00 I declined to use (I requested to use $1340.00 when I knew how many participants I would have for the study). $240.00 I returned to the UW-Stout Business office (see receipt). Evaluation (How the Objectives were met) Reflecting on the study objectives and asking the following questions will accomplish the evaluation of this study: 1. Were there at least 30 study participants in each of the two groups (freshman and senior education majors) to make the results of the data analysis credible? No. However, I was still able to get enough students to participate to make my study work. Twenty-three Freshmen Education majors and 25 Senior Education majors. The data 1
from 7 participants was removed from the overall sample because of participant error (they didn t follow directions and took the wrong IC 3 exams). 2. Were the computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout identified? Yes! At the time of this report, data analysis and interpretation are well underway! The following are preliminary results: Freshmen Education Majors Senior Education Majors 3. Were the learning experiences of freshman and senior education majors at UW- Stout in relationship to development of computing and Internet skills identified? 2
Yes! However, at this point, no data analysis or interpretation has been completed on learning experiences. 4. What did the comparison of measured computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout prove? TBD. No data analysis or interpretation has been completed on the compared computing and Internet skills of freshmen and senior education majors. 5. What did the comparison of identified learning experiences associated with the development of computing and Internet skills of freshman and senior education majors at UW-Stout prove? TBD. No data analysis or interpretation has been completed on the learning experiences associated with the development of computing and Internet skills of freshmen and senior education majors. Summary At this point, a good deal of data analysis and interpretation is taking place or will take place soon. Based on participation and data collected, the student research money really helped my study. Without the incentive of $20.00 dollars, it is likely that I wouldn t have been anywhere close to getting enough participation. As it was, I was only able to get minimum participation. As far as the above questions I wasn t able to answer, I am planning on completing my research document during the spring semester 2009. Therefore, I will know the answers to all my research objectives. Thank you for your Support! Evan Sveum CTE Ed. S. Candidate 3