7 September 2012
Summer Research Scholarship student wanted to look at learning and tablet technology
A University of Waikato researcher is looking for a Summer Research Scholarship student to help him explore the impact
of using digital tablet technology in primary school reading programmes.
Faculty of Education researcher Dr Garry Falloon has been looking at the affect using iPads has on the reading-learning
of a group of 18, 5-6 year olds at Leamington Primary School in Cambridge.
The research is an evidence-based investigation into the link between using specifically selected apps delivered via
digital tablet technology, and the effect this can have on children’s learning in reading, and key competency
development.
Dr Falloon is looking for a Summer Research Scholarship student to compare a range of data across two groups - one using
iPads in their reading programme and one using more conventional resources. They will be involved in analysing
interviews made with the children and completing video data analysis.
“In 2010 I was doing some work on behalf of Microsoft looking at the design and content of digital learning objects and
the effect using these in small groups had on students’ levels of thinking and their interactions with each other, and
out of that grew the realisation that there are elements that foster or contribute to learning certain key competencies
that could be applied to this study”.
Dr Falloon has been conducting interviews and gathering screen-recorded data from the two groups at Leamington Primary
school for two hours every week, since July. Data collection will continue until the end of the year.
“This research aims to gather evidence of what teachers have known for some time but haven’t really had the data to
prove – that the apparent engagement and motivation of students when using these technologies is really helping them
learn.”
Ten-week summer research scholarships are available for more than 60 topics under the University of Waikato Summer
Research Scholarship scheme. The scholarships are worth up to $5,000 and students complete their research over the
summer study break. Applications are open to undergraduate and first-year Masters students from anywhere in New Zealand.
For more information on this scholarship opportunity, contact Garry Falloon at falloong@waikato.ac.nz.
ENDS