Action Research Plan

·         Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation

Survey teachers to see what their knowledge is with using technology devices in the classroom. 

Research what teachers are actually doing currently to increase learning of special education students.

Train teachers on downloading and using apps to help special education students be more successful.

Research studies on the use of iPads for increased learning potential in special education students.

In what ways can using the iPads increase the students’ potential for learning.

Evaluate the direct effects that using the iPads have in meeting or exceeding the students’ educational needs.

·         Activities designed to achieve the objectives

Research iPad apps for special education students to find apps that are appropriate for learning. 

We will download apps to use on the iPads in each of the 4 core subject areas. We will also download apps to work with autism, adhd and speech correction.

·         Resources and research tools needed for data gathering

We will need 10 iPads(one for each teacher/student to use, applications to download to the iPads and reporting on each of the subject applications to retrieve data usage statistics.

·         Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities

August – September 2013 – Download apps and train teachers

October 2013 – Students begin using iPads for instructional learning

March-April 2014 – Collect reports and begin analyzing data to determine if students are more successful in learning.

·         Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan

Assistant Superintendent will monitor the overall of the action research plan, the Special Education director and the Special Education Coordinator at our high school will monitor each goal and the processes used to complete the action research plan. I will monitor the iPad usage and apps and training of the teachers and students on using the applications

·         Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives

We have a baseline for student achievement from 2012-13 and will start with that baseline and see how it has improved from the use of the iPads in the 2013-14 school year.  We can also use data from the apps to determine student success     

·         Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study

We will survey the special education teachers on the effectiveness of using the iPads in the classroom.

We will look at test results for the students’ to see if achievement is higher.