Lisa's+Significance+of+the+Study

=How will my study fill a gap in the current research?=

== The gap in the knowledge base is identified as studies pertaining to the use of student response systems with second language learners. Although many studies have been conducted with student response systems to examine their effects on student motivation and pariticpation levels and their positive correlation with higher academic achievement (Bergtrom, 2006; Boscardin, Crawford, Masyn, & Penuel, 2006; Edmonds & Edmonds, 2008; Jackson & Trees, 2007; Mohr & Mohr, 2007; Thoms & Williams, 2008; & Yoon, 2007), none have been found that pertain specifically to second language learners. == 

=How will my research advance the profession of educational technology?= == My research will advance the profession of educational technology by further investigating the efficacy of student response systems as educational tools. Student response systems, also known as electronic voting systems, audience response systems, classroom response systems, personal response systems, group response systems, and clickers have been used in environments such as university courses, business meetings, and political events since the 1960s (Bruff, 2009). They are gaining popularity as educational tools in K-12 environments because of they appear to increase student motivation and engagement and improve participation levels. There are many relatively new technologies in the field of educational technology, with new ones emerging daily, and it is important that researchers study the effectiveness of these various tools so that they will be used in pedagogically sound ways rather than for the sake of novelty. My study will contribute to the investigation of student response systems and help to determine if they should be adopted on a wide scale in K-12 education. My study will also contribute to the cause of digital equity by directing the profession of educational technology in a new direction that I believe has not been adequately explored: the area of bilingual education and instruction of second language learners. ==

=How will my research effect positive social change?=

==** My study will effect positive social change by contributing to the cause of digital equity. It will direct the profession of educational technology in a direction that I believe has not been adequately explored: the area of bilingual education and instruction of second language learners. My study may also effect positive change by promoting a tool that may increase participation levels of non-native English speaking parents of K-12 students in their children's schools by enabling them to make their opinions and ideas heard in a non-verbal way. If the results of my study support the use of student response systems with non-native English speaking parents, it may also indicate their effectiveness as instructional tools with English language learners in K-12 classrooms. Positive social change that may be made possible through my research include increased participation and engagement levels of English language learners as well as the enhanced ability for their teachers to assess their knowledge and levels of understanding. **==