Correlation Research

22 June 2008

Research topic: The participation in forum in learning and the use of computer at home

Background: Forum becomes popular in the field of education. Some teachers may think that the students with frequent use of computer at home may actively participate in forum during their learning. However, some teachers may think there is no such correlation. In order to have better planning of the use of forum as a pedagogical design, the correlation between the participation in forum and the use of computer at home should be understood.

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Research question

The relationship between participation in Knowledge Forum and the use of computer at home

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Hypothesis

The participation in Knowledge Forum is positively related to the use of computer at home.

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Variable 1

The participation in Knowledge Forum (the summation of notes read and notes contributed)

Variable 2

the use of computer at home (the number of hours spent on computer per week)

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Population:Grade 5 (a total of 3 mixed-ability classes, 30 students at each class)

Sample: all 3 classesMeasuring scale: interval - The participation in Knowledge Forum (the summation of notes read and notes contributed) - the use of computer at home (the number of hours spent on computer per week)

Constant:1. gender of student (mixed gender in the class)2. age (P.5 is selected, generally aged 10-11)

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2 units of inquiry will be conducted. They are also the two research cycles.

Each unit lasts 4 weeks. At each unit, discussion forum (Knowledge Forum) is integrated into the pedagogy.

After each unit, the data about the use of computer at home is obtained from students’ questionnaire. The data about students’ participation is generated from the Applet embedded in Knowledge Forum.

The final scores measured in this research is the average of the 2 cycles.

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Mean, median, mode, standard deviation

Pearson's r (correlation coefficient)

Correlation Research