D181
Master of Science, Curriculum and Instruction
TASK 5 – Passed
Integration of Digital Technology in Middle
School Civics Education
Western Governors University
, 2
Abstract
The purpose of this capstone project is to explore the Integration of Digital Technology
into Middle School Civics Education and aims to enhance student engagement and understanding
of the civics curriculum standards/benchmarks. The problem being investigated is the
underutilization of digital technology in middle school civics and government classrooms.
How might a professional development program on technology integration be developed
to address the problem of the underutilization of digital technology in the researcher’s middle
school civics and government classes?
The study employs qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, including Teacher
interviews to gather insights into the integration process. The Participants/Stakeholders included
10 middle school teachers who teach grades 6-8.
In this research, a mixed methods approach will be used to collect data. Both qualitative
and quantitative techniques will be used to provide a comprehensive understanding of
technology integration in middle school civics education.
In conclusion, this research addresses the underutilization of digital technology in middle
school civics and government classrooms with a focus on creating a professional development
program (PDP).
, 3
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Topic and Problem..................................................................................................... 5
Research Question(s)................................................................................................................. 6
Justification.................................................................................................................................6
Chapter 2: Review of the Literature............................................................................................ 7
Introduction to the Literature Review.....................................................................................7
Benefits of Technology Integration..........................................................................................7
Barriers and Challenges to Technology Integration...............................................................8
First and Second Barriers......................................................................................................... 9
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3: Research Methodology.............................................................................................12
Research Question(s)............................................................................................................... 12
Participants or Stakeholders...................................................................................................12
Data Collection Instrument(s) and Alignment to Research Question(s)................................12
Method.......................................................................................................................................... 12
Data Analysis Technique(s)........................................................................................................ 13
Timeline of Data Collection Activities....................................................................................14
…Resources..............................................................................................................................14
Data Security and Confidentiality.......................................................................................... 15
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................15
Chapter 4: Results.......................................................................................................................17
Summary of Research..............................................................................................................17
Summary of Results or Findings............................................................................................ 18
Implementation........................................................................................................................29
Answer(s) to the Research Question(s)..................................................................................31
Product...................................................................................................................................... 32
Chapter 5: Conclusions............................................................................................................... 33
, 4
Overview of Conclusion(s).......................................................................................................33
Strengths and Weaknesses of Methodology...........................................................................34
Influential Factors....................................................................................................................34
Recommendations for Further Investigation........................................................................35
Barriers or Limitations to Drawing Conclusions..................................................................35
Implications of Research on Educational Practice...............................................................35
References.....................................................................................................................................37
Appendix A...................................................................................................................................40
Appendix B................................................................................................................................... 50
Appendix C...................................................................................................................................54
Master of Science, Curriculum and Instruction
TASK 5 – Passed
Integration of Digital Technology in Middle
School Civics Education
Western Governors University
, 2
Abstract
The purpose of this capstone project is to explore the Integration of Digital Technology
into Middle School Civics Education and aims to enhance student engagement and understanding
of the civics curriculum standards/benchmarks. The problem being investigated is the
underutilization of digital technology in middle school civics and government classrooms.
How might a professional development program on technology integration be developed
to address the problem of the underutilization of digital technology in the researcher’s middle
school civics and government classes?
The study employs qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, including Teacher
interviews to gather insights into the integration process. The Participants/Stakeholders included
10 middle school teachers who teach grades 6-8.
In this research, a mixed methods approach will be used to collect data. Both qualitative
and quantitative techniques will be used to provide a comprehensive understanding of
technology integration in middle school civics education.
In conclusion, this research addresses the underutilization of digital technology in middle
school civics and government classrooms with a focus on creating a professional development
program (PDP).
, 3
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Topic and Problem..................................................................................................... 5
Research Question(s)................................................................................................................. 6
Justification.................................................................................................................................6
Chapter 2: Review of the Literature............................................................................................ 7
Introduction to the Literature Review.....................................................................................7
Benefits of Technology Integration..........................................................................................7
Barriers and Challenges to Technology Integration...............................................................8
First and Second Barriers......................................................................................................... 9
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3: Research Methodology.............................................................................................12
Research Question(s)............................................................................................................... 12
Participants or Stakeholders...................................................................................................12
Data Collection Instrument(s) and Alignment to Research Question(s)................................12
Method.......................................................................................................................................... 12
Data Analysis Technique(s)........................................................................................................ 13
Timeline of Data Collection Activities....................................................................................14
…Resources..............................................................................................................................14
Data Security and Confidentiality.......................................................................................... 15
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................15
Chapter 4: Results.......................................................................................................................17
Summary of Research..............................................................................................................17
Summary of Results or Findings............................................................................................ 18
Implementation........................................................................................................................29
Answer(s) to the Research Question(s)..................................................................................31
Product...................................................................................................................................... 32
Chapter 5: Conclusions............................................................................................................... 33
, 4
Overview of Conclusion(s).......................................................................................................33
Strengths and Weaknesses of Methodology...........................................................................34
Influential Factors....................................................................................................................34
Recommendations for Further Investigation........................................................................35
Barriers or Limitations to Drawing Conclusions..................................................................35
Implications of Research on Educational Practice...............................................................35
References.....................................................................................................................................37
Appendix A...................................................................................................................................40
Appendix B................................................................................................................................... 50
Appendix C...................................................................................................................................54
