Thesis
Social studies video projects in the middle school
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2006
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101234
Abstract
Most studies concerning the use of technology projects do not take into account the perspectives of the students completing the projects. Without this information, it is impossible to form a complete picture of the effects media projects have on students. To remedy this, students in a middle school media technology class were asked to complete video projects that integrated media technology with their social studies curriculum and one self-selected project. Upon completion of their projects, they were asked to share their impressions of this approach. The students interviewed were 8th graders in a middle school in a Pacific Northwest college town. The interviews focused on the students perceptions of their projects; what they liked and disliked, what they learned, and how they would adapt the projects if they were teaching the class. The students were also observed over the course of the term as they completed their projects. From an analysis of the student's comments, it was found that the students enjoyed the integration of media and their social studies curriculum more than the social studies curriculum by itself. They found this method of "hands-on" learning to be more interesting, independent, and productive than the traditional social studies class. While minor adjustments to the projects were suggested, the students asked for an expansion of the projects into other areas of study, and into other classes besides the media technology course. Results show that in this specific situation, media projects can be an easy to integrate solution to student apathy in the classroom. Further study might include expanding the focus of these projects beyond the social studies curriculum. Additionally, the research supports giving students more control over the lesson to foster active and cooperative learning.
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Details
- Title
- Social studies video projects in the middle school
- Creators
- Anthony Stephen Jonas
- Contributors
- Guy M. Westhoff (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Educational Leadership, Sport Studies, and Educational/Counseling Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525017101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis