Digging Into the Dissertation

The assignment to generate three dissertation topic ideas was a great way to flesh out my ideas. My first proposal, which was also my lengthiest proposal, is the one I have the most passion about. That was evident to my committee chair when she read my topic proposals. However, the logistics of that topic are very involved, and not easily accomplished within my time frame. 

My second topic incorporated the LoTi survey as an instrument to evaluate in-service teachers’ education technology usage. The LoTi survey is a survey that came to my attention during my first semester in the program. I came across Dr. Carter’s (formerly Maker) dissertation, Examining The Relationship Between Professional Learning Communities and K-12 Teacher’s Implementation of Technology. Dr. Carter (2012) references the significance of creating a “culture of inquiry” and the interdependence of the academic success of educators and their student counterparts (p. viii). I had wanted to use the LoTi survey for my quantitative research course, but I was so new to the program and unfamiliar with the process of starting a study that I never got the project off the ground. So I have held strong to the intention of conducting a survey using the survey.

My third topic is much more realistic; in this topic, I would like to use data gathered using the Technology Proficiency Survey for Educators (TPSE) instrument. This topic stems from the quantitative analysis courses. In my advanced research: scaling methods course, I used data for my class assignments pulled from a similar tool. What I found interesting, and it ties into my interest in using the LoTi survey, is evaluating teacher’s use of digital resources in the classroom. The TPSE instrument is much more accessible and will fit better within my dissertation timeline. 

I am finding that I still have a very broad scope on my dissertation topic and I am struggling to parse it down to a specific focal point. I alternate between a general investigation into pre-service teachers’ preparedness to use education technology effectively in the classroom to wanting to explore how special education students would benefit from having teachers that are better prepared to effectively implement learning opportunities rich with varied digital tools.

During the completion of my citation list for my dissertation’s literature review, my citations focused on the digital design divide, reflections using education technology in the classroom, and resources from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). I also found connections between using digital tools in the classroom and the development of students’ critical thinking skills. At the present moment, I have the 20 citations I submitted for the assignment. I have acquired other resources during my time in the program that will be reviewed to determine if they should be included. 

Since I have not fine-tuned my dissertation topic, my resources are not settled. Some of the resources I submitted may still be used while others may be replaced with more applicable resources. 

Maker, J. L. (2012). Examining the relationship between professional learning communities and K-12 teachers' implementation of technology (Order No. 3547442). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1282398648). https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/examining-relationship-between-professional/docview/1282398648/se-2