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Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, George Mason University
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| formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education |
Volume 40 Number 4 Summer 2008
Having Our Say: Middle Grade Student Perspectives on School, Technologies, and Academic Engagement
Hiller A. Spires, John K. Lee, and Kimberly A. Turner
North Carolina State University
Janet Johnson
EDSTAR
Abstract
Growing consensus among policy makers and educators alike suggests that our education system must be transformed to address the needs of a global society as well as the needs of the 21st century student. Often overlooked as a resource, students can contribute a valuable perspective on education. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to learn from middle grades students, through surveys and focus groups, what engages them to achieve in school. The findings, which centered on student perspectives of school, uses of technologies in and out of school, and academic engagement, are viewed within the context of global changes and the new demands that this trend places on education. (Keywords: technologies, academic engagement, middle grades, student perspectives.)
 Download the full article (PDF, 113 KB)
Contributors
Dr. Hiller A. Spires is a professor at the College of Education and a senior research fellow at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University. Her research and graduate level teaching focus on literacy and technology in K–12 education. (Address: Hiller A. Spires, Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, College of Education, 1890 Main Campus Dr., North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606; 919.513.8501; hiller_spires@ ncsu.edu)
Dr. John K. Lee is an associate professor at the College of Education at NC State University where he focuses on social studies and technology in the middle years teacher preparation program. He conducts research on digital history and the development of pedagogical content knowledge. (Address: John Lee, College of Education, Box 7801, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7801; john_lee@ncsu.edu)
Kimberly A. Turner is a doctoral student in the Psychology program at North Carolina State University and a research assistant at the Friday Institute for Educational Education. (Address: Kimberly A. Turner, Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, College of Education, 1890 Main Campus Dr., North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606; 919.513.8505; kim_turner@ncsu.edu)
Dr. Janet Johnson is the president of EDSTAR, a research and evaluation company that specializes in K–12 education. She holds a PhD in mathematics education and taught in public schools for 8 years. (Address: Janet Johnson, EDSTAR, Raleigh, NC 27612; janet@edstar.org)
Copyright 2008, (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.
| technologies, academic engagement, middle grades, student perspectives |
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