Research topic and problem to be studied
The general topic/context of the study
The general topic of the study is education technology with a focus on online and computer-based education. The study focuses on technology as a critical component of human operations. According to the study, it is significant for stakeholders in the education sector to embrace technology as a means of enhancing educational trends.
The general problem or issue leading to the need for the study
The general problem leading to the need for the study is based on how online education influences the reaching fraternity. The study identifies challenges concerning the application of technology in education. According to the study, the application of technology in education may not receive great enthusiasm as other forms of general technological communication. Furthermore, the researcher highlights the need for the interrogation of the environment created by the technological equation. Such an evaluation will benefit the technological environment in the education system.
The specific problem to be studied
The study focuses on various problems. The first problem entails an evaluation of the students’ readiness to adopt the technological aspects of education. Second, the study focuses on the evaluation of parameters that influence technological adoptions in the education-based environment.
Evidence that the problem exists (Recent scholarly citations)
Chen, Lambert, and Guidry (2010) recognize that computer-based and online technologies apply to several educational disciplines. However, there is a need to show how the effectiveness of this method is transferred from teachers to students in a bid to create a professional and conducive learning environment (Chen et al., 2010). Walker, Curren, Kieser, Lammers, and Goldenson (2013) further affirm that technology interconnects people from different parts of the world. With such knowledge, technology will inevitably influence education significantly. Hence, it is crucial to consider the importance of introducing technology in a bid to create an appropriate learning environment (Walker et al., 2013).
The gap in the literature
The literature of the study will address various difficulties experienced by learners concerning switching from traditional to technological methods of receiving education. Furthermore, the study will also focus on the proportion of students prepared to embrace technology for educational purposes and the elimination of deterrents and inhibitors of technology-based education by the stakeholders.
Dissertation purpose and alignment with the problem
The purpose of the study
The purpose of the study is to address educational technology with a focus on online and computer-based technology. With online education, learners are introduced to both mobile and computer-based technology with a view of enhancing learning functions.
The variables or central phenomena to be studied
Regarding the variables, the study will be based on college-level students. Students are to be drawn from different learning institutions. Furthermore, various stakeholders in the education sector will participate in the study.
Solving the problem
Achieving the purpose will equip leaders in the field with information regarding the significance of computer-based technology in the provision of education. Some of the importance of online and computer-based technology includes providing students with access to learning materials and equipping them with skills that add to their proficiency.
Importance of the study
How will the study contribute to the challenges and/ or extended theory, practice, methodology, research results, knowledge, and or understanding of specific arena of inquiry?
The study contributes to the challenges by highlighting different perspectives in which the study contributes to educational practices. However, contributions of this study aim at highlighting how technology can create an appropriate learning environment.
Why should leaders in the field study care about solving the problem?
Leaders in the field should care about addressing the problem because technology has become part of life in contemporary times. With the digitalization of various sectors, it will be inevitable to prevent technological influence in the education sector.
Methodology
What method/design will be used to achieve the study’s purpose and address the study’s problem?
The study will incorporate a deductive design in a bid to achieve its purpose and address the study problem. A deductive design relies on the research question, hypothesis, and data that either accepts or rejects the hypothesis.
What scholarly sources will be used to demonstrate the expertise of the study method and design?
The study will incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methods with a view of demonstrating the expertise of the deductive method. For the two methods, data will be collected through questionnaires, literature reviews, random sampling, and online surveys.
Why is the method appropriate given the problem studied and the purpose of the study?
Deductive design is appropriate for this study because it allows the formation of a hypothesis and collection of data that either supports or rejects the hypothesis. Such a move contributes to the comprehensive evaluation of the research question.
Why is the design appropriate given the problem studied and the purpose of the study?
How will the literature search be used to gather germinal and recent sources on the problem and variables/central phenomenon?
A literature search will focus on highlighting documented studies and findings concerning the central phenomenon. The literature search acts as the pilot study from which the researcher determines the practicability of the identified design in connection to the study variables.
What are the most germinal and recent research findings on the problem?
The most germinal and recent research findings on the problem are that educational technology has both benefits and harmful results. Regarding the benefits, it promotes personalized learning and lesson organization coupled with improving the level of student-teacher interaction. On the contrary, educational technology destabilizes the traditional teaching model, hence leading to decreased contact hours, time wastage, and uncontrolled freedom.
What are the most germinal and recent research findings on the variables/dependent variables/independent variables or central phenomenon?
The most germinal and recent research findings on the variables are that the use of technology in education coupled with the actions of stakeholders has a crucial impact on the students’ learning experiences.
Guiding research questions and alignment with the study purpose
What research questions will guide the study?
Research questions that will guide the study are noted below:
- What difficulties do students due face when changing from the traditional to the technological method of receiving an education?
- What proportion of students is prepared to use technology for educational purposes?
- How can the stakeholders eliminate the possible deterrents and inhibitors of technology-based education?
How will answering the research questions help achieve the study purpose?
Answering research questions will help in highlighting whether the study hypothesis formed is in line with the collected data.
Population and sample
What population will be studied?
The population to be studied comprises students from various colleges and some of the stakeholders in the education sector.
What sampling techniques will be used and why?
Random purposeful sampling will be used for this study. Random sampling will help in unraveling the participants’ technology-based learning experiences. Furthermore, the technique will focus on ensuring that the results of the study are naturalistic. Purposeful sampling will also be used to ensure the relevancy of the data collected from the respondents.
References
Chen, D., Lambert, A., & Guidry, K. (2010). Engaging online learners: The impact of Web-based learning technology on college student engagement. Computers & Education, 54(4), 1222-1232.
Walker, K., Curren, M., Kiesler, T., Lammers, H., & Goldenson, J. (2013). Scholarly Networking among Business Students: Structured Discussion Board Activity and Academic Outcomes. Journal of Education for Business, 88(5), 249-252.