1. Collaborative Learning & Technology:
Understanding themes and communication of
high school students technology learning in a
project based curriculum.
Daniel M. Downs
Argosy University-Sarasota
R7035 Qualitative Research
Dr. Ogletree

2. Phenomenon
 Project based learning is a comprehensive
instructional approach to engage students in
sustained,cooperative investigation(Project
Based Learning Space,2009)
 The experiences and language of students
learning collaboratively is key to the process
of their problem solving.

3. Context Of Phenomenon
Project Based Learning Environment(PBL)
 Civic involvement
 Application of Technology To Problem Solve
 Student Collaboration
 Cumulative “Final Project or Presentations”
High School Technology Classroom

4. Purpose
 To better understand the learning styles of
students using technology collaboratively.
 To gain insight into how students use
technology to problem solve and complete
long range projects.
 To define specific language and themes of
students using technology collaboratively.

5. Primary Research Question
 What are the central themes and experiences to the
students participating in collaborative project-based
learning with a technology curriculum?
 Sub-Questions
-What arc commons statements made by students after
their participation?
-What themes emerged from their collaborative
experiences?
-What is the essence of the student’s experiences?

6. Methodology
 Phenomenological Approach The study aims to reveal central
themes of the phenomenon.
 The main goal of data collection will be to gather multiple
participants experiences of the same phenomenon. In the case
of my research it will be important to address how students
working in groups with a final project affect their collaborative
work and have changed the way they learn technology.
 The interview process and collection of individual experiences
will be the primary data source.
 Interviews and bracketing the experiences of the participants
will better describe the experiences of the participants.

7. 6.The Research Site & Participation
 Winchester High School Technology Students
 Project Based Learning Curriculum
 The participants for this study will total 20 to 25
students.
 Participants will have the opportunity to voluntarily
withdraw from the study at any time.
 All information will be confidential and the risks and
benefits associated with the research will be
addressed.
 Participants will be made aware of how the data will
be reported.

8. Methods
 Individual Interviews
 Group Interviews
 Focus Groups
 Observations
 Transcriptions of Group Activities Audio &
Video
 Field Notes
 Final Projects(photos,presentations)

9. Data Analysis Techniques
 The analysis and coding of the transcription of the classroom
audio of activities during the research will be powerful data to
define the context of my research as well as highlight individual
experiences and research observations.
 I will provide a structural description in which I reflect setting in
context of the research with the phenomenon (Creswell, 2006).
This will be a description of how the phenomenon of students
learning technology and project-based environment happened.
 Data analysis will be concluded with a composite description of
the experiences of the participants in the phenomenon and how
the participants experienced it. My bias as a teacher with the
program will be a challenge in approaching the qualitative
research with the right perspective and judgment.

10. Reflexivity
 I hope to express in my research how my involvement with the
study will affect and inform the research.(What Is
Reflexivity,2009) This is the key to reflexivity and in my
particular research it is critical to informing the biases and
context of the research.
 My perspective as a teacher influences the writing of the
researcher by having a deep investment into the process of the
research and an awareness of the personal biases that the
effect the research.
 Using personal reflexivity I will express how my personal
beliefs, values, experiences and pieces of my personal identity
have influenced my research (What Is Reflexivity,2009). In my
research outlining my position as a teacher and my experience
using technology will be highlighted

11. Research Time
-One 45 minute period of instruction 4 times
per week.
-A total of 20-25 days of total
observation,interview and focus group data
collection.

12. 9.Challenges
 The first part of my analysis is to bracket my
experience (Creswell,2007)and assumptions as the
researcher.
 Describing my personal experiences with the
research will help me set aside my personal
experiences from those of the participants.
 My bias as a teacher with the program will be a
challenge in approaching the qualitative research
with the right perspective and judgment.

13. References
Background Knowledge & Theory.Project-Based Learning Space.
Retrived February 17,2010,from
college.cengage.com/education/pbl/background.html
Creswell, J. W. (2006). Data Collection . Qualitative Inquiry and Research
Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (Second Edition ed., pp.
p.120-131). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Phenomenology. (n.d.). Argosy University Eclass Online Portal. Retrieved
February 12, 2010, from
www.myeclassonline.com/re/DotNextLaunch.asp?courseid=3894244
What Is Reflexivity. (n.d.). De Montfort University.
Retrieved April 10, 2010, from
www.psy.dmu.ac.uk/michael/qual_reflexivity.htm