The title of my research proposal is "Attitudes, Behaviors, and Beliefs of Academically Talented and Well-Abled Middle School Children in their Use of the Internet." My research proposal was accepted spring, 2007 following a pilot study. Data was collected on 250 middle school children in June and July, 2007. The study was completed in August. The study's conclusions and findings were successfully defended on November 13, 2007.
Major themes of this work involved defining and measuring the construct of Internet-savviness based on the dimensions of Information Gathering, Computer Mediated Communication, Internet Self Efficacy, Creative Expression, Internet Fluency and Social Collaboration.
The epistomological framework for this research might be referred to as distributed constructivism, a fusion of Piaget, Vygotsky and distributed intelligence as advanced by Gerhard Fischer, Roy Pea and Gavriel Solomon.
The abstract of my dissertation thesis may be viewed here. I hope to have a manuscript for publication ready by spring, 2008.
My list of courses and unofficial transcript may be viewed here.
Coursework for spring, 2008 includes:
- Structured Equation Modeling (EDLF 836)
- Readings in the History and Philosophy of Technology (EDLF 889)