Candidates explore, evaluate, synthesize, and apply methods of inquiry to enhance learning and improve performance (Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 2012).
The Group Conference Research Paper was created for EDET 780: Research Seminar in Educational Technology during my fourth semester in the Learning Design and Technologies master’s program. The purpose was to work with a group to construct a paper investigating a topic related to educational technology or instructional design. The topic for this research paper was “Artificial Intelligence Technology in Middle-Level Multilingual Learners and Writing Proficiency.” The paper was organized into separate sections, which included an abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, anticipated results, and conclusions. The study would not be conducted, as the goal was to collaborate as a group to design a study that someone could ideally use.
This research paper aims to investigate the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) feedback tool for writing by multilingual writers at the middle school level. The abstract summarizes the research question, rationale, methods, anticipated results, and conclusion of the research paper. The introduction section then provided background information, the importance of the topic, and a purpose statement. Following the introduction, a literature review was provided to discuss previous research relating to the topic, focusing on writing proficiency in South Carolina, AI in multilingual education, and generative AI and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), AI-based writing assistants, applied translation and critical thinking, AI as a feedback tool, attitudes towards AI-powered language technologies, multiliteracies and multilingualism, translanguaging and machine transportation, and multilingual content in computer-based learning environments.
The methods were then discussed, which described the participants, design, materials, procedures, and analyses. The participants were multilingual learners in 6th through 8th grade who would use ChatGPT as a feedback tool for writing in the general education setting. There would be one experimental group using the tool and a control group who would receive traditional feedback. This would take place over the course of one school year using the WIDA ACCESS language assessment (WIDA, 2020) to determine its effectiveness at the middle and end of the school year. The anticipated results for this study would provide data to support the use of AI as a feedback tool for multilingual learners to improve their writing proficiency. Lastly, the conclusion discussed the anticipated findings that connected to the purpose of this research paper.
The purpose of the Group Conference Research Paper was to apply knowledge of research methods to the process of designing an educational research study. It also required demonstration of communication and collaboration skills by working with a group to construct this research paper. This allowed for the opportunity to further explore a topic related to current trends and issues within educational technology as a team.
This research paper was created as a group with three other classmates. As a team, we played an equal role as the researchers, writers, and editors of the research design.
This research paper reflects the contextual analysis element of the MRK model as it was written for the purpose of an audience and stakeholders to review and consider using the design to conduct this research. The perspective of the audience is highly considered during the contextual analysis phase (Morrison et al., 2013). Additionally, this also relates to the analysis phrase of the ADDIE model as the designers considered the target audience to determine their informational needs (Durack et al., 2016).
AECT Standard 5: Candidates explore, evaluate, synthesize, and apply methods of inquiry to enhance learning and improve performance (Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 2012).
Indicators:
Theoretical Foundations - Candidates demonstrate foundational knowledge of the contribution of research to the past and current theory of educational communications and technology.
Method - Candidates apply research methodologies to solve problems and enhance practice.
Ethics - Candidates conduct research and practice using accepted professional and institutional guidelines and procedures.
The creation of the Group Conference Research Paper taught me how to use the research process and knowledge of research methodologies to propose a research study related to educational technology. My group members and I utilized the research methodologies, such as quantitative methods, that we had learned during the course to design this study. These methodologies allowed us to identify evaluation procedures that would assess our research question and provide quantitative data. In doing so, this allowed me to further improve my ability to use my knowledge of research methodologies in order to choose appropriate data collection methods for a given research question when designing a study. Additionally, this research paper demonstrated my understanding of foundational theories related to educational technology, in that I worked with my group to conduct a literature review to identify existing research involving our research question.
The group project aspect of this assignment was challenging due to the fact it was difficult at times to schedule times to virtually meet and ensure everyone had an equal role in the creation of this research proposal. We were successful in working together equally as a team, which further strengthened my communication and collaboration skills, which is an essential skills I will need to be successful in the field of instructional design.
During the semester in which I completed the group conference research paper, the only component I would have changed was the topic. It was difficult to choose one specific topic amongst a group of four people who work in different subject areas. We ended up choosing a topic related to multilingual learners. During this semester I was in the Learning Design and Technologies master’s program, and I had not worked with multilingual learners and would have preferred a topic more relevant to my students’ needs. However, since then, I have had two students who are multilingual learners, and I am thankful that I had an opportunity to learn more about their needs through this assignment beforehand. This helped me realize the importance of exploring educational technology research and trends across various areas of education in order to be prepared for any challenge when designing instruction to serve a target audience with a diverse range of learning needs.