Proposal: Presentation Slideshow

A Pilot Study for EDF 7475: Instructional Technology Students' Perceptions of How Age Impacts Proficiency with Electronics

Problem: Marc Prensky makes his conclusions ("research") based his observation from memory
Question: Are Prensky's observations reproducible in the minds of other educators?
Significance: Impacts presentation of content to learners of different backgrounds.

See our texts...

Lit review: Scarce supply of academic research related to Prensky; industry uses his coined terms
Clark & Lyons (2004) "Graphics for Learning" provides a base conceptual framework
Ask educators if their experience matches Prensky

See our texts and the readings related to the IRB

  • Population: UCF Instructional Technology listserv
  • IT Chair leading research on Prensky
  • Researcher has been studying adult learning theory and how varying display formats affects learning

Data

Triangulate:
Distribute web-based questionnaire
Cite similar studies
Quote existing adult learning theory

Interpretivism:
Why?
No validated instrument exists to measure "digital propensity". Even lead researchers in graphics for learning (Clark & Lyons) don't make a definitive declaration to support or refute Prensky.
How?
Use triangulation to compare the results of the questionnaire to educators with existing similar studies and adult learning theory.

Methodological Limitations

Differential selection and selection maturation interaction: Subscribers to the IT listserv have likely had exposure to the topic from professors and have background that may skew their responses.
Self reporting error and bias
Random sampling error: Questionnaire is available to every subscriber. Only particular people may respond.
Instrumentation: Un-piloted questionnaire may not test what it is meant to test

Next steps

  • Dissertation topic "An investigation of the relationship between insurance employees' digital propensity and their reactions to instruction"
  • Helps form the basis for a hypothesis of the outcome of the dissertation topic

Works Cited

Warne, D. (2006, August 23). Unlock work internet or risk losing staff: Microsoft. APC Magazine. Retrieved on August 23, 2006 from http://www.apcstart.com/site/dwarne/2006/08/1104/unlock-work-internet-or-risk-losing-staff-microsoft

Clark, R. C., & Lyons, C. (2004). Graphics for learning: Proven guidelines for planning, designing, and evaluating visuals in training materials. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.

Prensky, M. (2001, October). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon 9(5). Retrieved November 25, 2005, from the Marc Prensky Web site: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

Prensky, M. (2001, December). Do they really think differently? On the Horizon 9(6). Retrieved November 25, 2005, from the Marc Presnsky Web site: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part2.pdf