The Impact of Computer Based Assignments on Student Motivation to Complete Homework Assignments for Sixth Grade Students

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the engagement of 11 middle school-aged students from a southeast Michigan public school, who were given laptop computers with twenty-four-hour-a-day Internet access in order to complete homework assignments. Specifically, this study examined the perceptions of sixth-grade students regarding the impact of computer-based assignments on homework activity engagement and completion. These students brought home computers provided by their school district to complete the assignments. The researcher used Strong, Silver, and Robinson’s (1995) theoretical model, SCOR-E, in order to shape the protocol for this study. There were four primary themes that emerged from the student responses: Organization, Learning as Fun, Voice, and Person-to-Person Connection. From these four themes, 14 sub-themes were also revealed. These included Improved Time Management, Increased Organization, Increased Ease, Appreciation of Increased Accessibility to Information, Appreciation of Deeper/Better Understanding of Content and Assignments, Appreciation of Freedom to Explore for More Information, Pure Enjoyment, Confidence in Sharing during Discussions, Frequency in Discussions, Increased Collaboration, Enhanced Relationship with Teacher, Increased Assistance from Teacher, Enhanced Current Student Relationships, Increased Number of New Friendships. Overall, all 11 participants responded favorably to the use of laptops for the purpose of computer-based homework assignments. Further research exploring middle-school-aged students and technology is needed. The challenge of motivation, technology and social media in schools continues to exist. This analysis proves to be essential to understanding middle school-aged students and computer-based homework assignments.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Administration and Supervision

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Toledo

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Cyr, Mary Ann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Staub, Nancy

• Education
• Educational Technology
• computer-based homework
• motivation
• middle school-aged students

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1365159625

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:toledo1365159625