Problem+Statement

=Problem Statement=

 ﻿ At this point in my research process, I plan to focus on the integration of interactive whiteboard technology into classrooms. What will be the purpose of my study? What is my focus? What am I trying to learn? How can interactive whiteboards be effectively integrated into classrooms to maximize their effectiveness on student achievement? The purpose of my study will be to analyze the integration of interactive whiteboard techonology in classrooms at Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School to discover what practices are perceived to be most effective in maximizing student achievement by analyzing both student and teacher input as well as describe the level of adoption of the technology across the curriculum.

Johnson and Christensen(2008) state the following concerning a correctly formulated qualitative study's purpose, "... to describe, understand, develop, or discover something" (p. 77). I think I have that part of the process covered. They continue by stating that a researcher should "state and define the central idea that you want to describe, understand, or discover" (p. 77). Does my statement of purpose meet this condition? I think so. Lastly they express that the researcher should state as part of his purpose the method by which data will be collected and analyzed: ethnographic study, grounded theory study, case study, or phenomenological study (p. 77). This is where I need some direction. I am guessing that my research will be a case study involving the analysis of how IWBs are being used in several classrooms in my school and what impact they are having on instructional practices and student achievement, but I am not totally sure if this is the path I should travel with my topic.

References Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2007). //Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches// (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.