Selecting a research topic

One of the first tasks that I have to complete as part of the EDEM630 course is to choose a research topic. This topic needs to be under the umbrella of change with digital technologies in education, and will play a large role in my upcoming assignments, research and reflection.

STATE your research topic and identify the specific digital technology (or technologies).  WHY did you choose the topic? What interests you about it? Do you have an opinion about the issues involved? WHO are the information providers on this topic? Who might publish information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic? WHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider? WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or international level? Are there specific places affected by the topic? WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current event or an historical issue? Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

My research topic will be: "Preparing for a BYOD classroom environment" 

Source: http://elearning.tki.org.nz/Technologies/Learning-with-1-1-digital-devices

I am interested in this topic because it is relevant to me and my work context. This means that my research will be informed from authentic experiences and reflection. This area of research interests me because hopefully it will provide some practical ideas and frameworks to support both myself and other teachers. The school I am currently working at are in the process of setting up BYOD for next year, and are busy getting things ready for this change. This means that this topic is very important and relevant to my situation. This issue is also relevant and important to other schools around New Zealand who are undertaking the same BYOD journey. The Ministry of Education are also currently keen to support and encourage teachers and schools in this area. Other organisations such as Core Education are also interested in supporting teachers in this area. This is not just a New Zealand issue, but an international one. It is a pressing issue in a lot of schools as educators try to prepare students to be contributing members of society who are equipped with 21st century skills. It also does not just affect high schools, but is relevant at primary and tertiary levels too. The information used in this research topic will be taken from my particular high school context, and will include data taken from students and teachers. I will be focusing mainly on the pedagogical/classroom side of BYOD implementation and supporting teachers with this. 

Some of the major questions for this topic are:

• What pedagogical tools can teachers use to support BYOD students? 
• What practical considerations need to be made to support teaching in a BYOD environment? (i.e. classroom layout, wireless connection, seating etc.) 
• How do we 'win' over teachers who are not keen on the idea of BYOD classrooms?
• What ongoing support will be provided to teachers to help them with BYOD?
• What professional development can be offered to teachers to enhance their e-learning skills in order to prepare them for a BYOD environment?

References:

Core Education. BYOD search. Retrieved from http://www.core-ed.org/search/node/BYOD

Ministry of Education. (n.d.). Learning with 1:1 devices. Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://elearning.tki.org.nz/Technologies/Learning-with-1-1-digital-devices