[elearning] Query on iPad research ....

[Ziad Baroudi]

Many argue that validity in the sense used by scientists cannot exist in
most areas of educational research. I once read something written by
Seymour Papert in which he says that something such as  "using a computer"
is not a single variable we can study while keeping all else constant. The
whole point of using a computer is that it changes everything.

Even when iPads have been around for a long time and meta-research is
available on their "effect", we will be looking at an average "effective
size" that brings together all kinds of different uses of the device. Two
studies, one hugely successful and one hugely unsuccessful, may result in
an average effect size that is close to zero. It would be more useful to
look into the details of the successful study to see what practices we can
adopt.

Sincerely,
Ziad.

On 4 September 2012 21:33, Hutchison, Geoffrey G <
hutchison.geoffrey.g at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

> Good luck Kevork on finding valid education research. Very little is valid
> in the sense that double blind trials are almost non-existent and the use
> of
> control groups rare.
>
> Virtually all education research is anecdotal in terms of evidence, and
> thus
> invalid in terms of true research.
>
> Geoff Hutchison,
> McGuire College
>
>
> On 4/09/12 6:24 PM, "Kevork Krozian" <kevork at edulists.com.au> wrote:
>
> > Hi Folks,
> >
> >    If I may ask a very broad question, is anyone across recent research
> > covering the impact of iPads and apps in learning
> > achievement/improvement at any level ( primary, secondary, tertiary ) ?
> >
> > Specifically, I am wondering if there is a control group of any type such
> > as alternate tablets, mobile devices,  netbooks, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
> > etc etc.
> >
> > Additionally I am wondering if a baseline is used in the study such as "
> > Both groups, control and iPad users entered the study at VELS level x. At
> > the end of the study the control group was at y and the iPad users were
> at
> > z on the VELS or any other measurement used".
> >
> > Generalized findings such as students showed improvement in confidence
> > with the use of technology or could read better ( than what ? not having
> > any technology or having a laptop or working in labs ? ) will not be as
> > useful IMHO.
> >
> > It is a topic that has come up in discussion and I am looking for both
> > research as well as anecdotal evidence from schools on the iPad journey
> if
> > I may please.
> >
> > Kind Regards
> > Kevork
> >
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