My research interests
using technology to scaffold the language learning and teaching process;
using the idea of gamification to facilitate instructional design to motivate learners in STEAM education.
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My research projects
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1. Mobile Learning Acceptance in Higher Education
2. Social Media and Digital Divide in China
3. Design based research of A Mobile Application for English Speaking Learners
4. Technology use of underrepresented students in China and Taiwan
5. Pre-Service Teachers Beliefs on the impact of Content Area on Classroom Management
6. The effect of online pediatric courses for parents
Definition of traditional Research
Traditional research aims to draw conclusions. Applies the scientific method to educational phenomena, questions, and or topics in search of answers (Mertler, 2012)
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Action Research focus on the improvement of education practice. Is conducted by teachers, students, councilor and others. It can happens in the classroom, not necessarily by researchers in lab as traditional research. Action research connects theory with practice, focusing on problem solving. It is a cycle process, involving action and reflection in the cycle. (Mertler, 2014)
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Differences between traditional research
and action research
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The purpose of Traditional Research is to draw conclusions, focusing on
advancing knowledge in the field. While the purpose of Action Research is
to make decisions, intending to improve the current educational practices.
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Traditional Research usually have hypotheses or research questions, and
Action Research always include research questions.
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The methods of sampling in Traditional Research are often random, but the
participants of Action Research are generally the students with whom the
researchers work with (Millan & Wergin, 1998).
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Quantitative Research
Using deductive approach, analyze with numerical data such as surveys,
questionnaires, test scores, check lists, etc. to test or reject the hypotheses
generated from a specific theory. (Mertler, 2014)
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Qualitative Research
Utilizing inductive approach, deal with narrative data, such as observations,
interviews, journals, open ended questions, etc. to
generate conclusions. (Mertler, 2014)
Six main approaches of qualitative research: Grounded theory studies, Case
studies, Ethnographic studies, Phenomenological studies, Critical studies and
Narrative inquiry (Baek, 2017).
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Definition of traditional Research
Data collection and data analysis
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Quantitative Data
Descriptive statistics: central tendency: mean, median, mode, standard deviation and range
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Statistical Inferences: t test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, Chi square, etc..
Level of significance: if p < 0.05 there is statistical significance
if p > 0.05 there is no statistical significance
Effect size: if there is statistical significance, we can assess with effect size to see if there is practical significance.
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Qualitative Data
Reflections on ETEC 543
The course of ETEC 543 made me realized that researches are not only the patent of scholars, scientists, proferssors or researchers, teachers and students can also conduct researches. And the research conducted byteacher or student is called Action Research, which is different from the traditional research. Traditional researches are usually quantitative research and qualitative research.
In ETEC 543 we learnd step by step about how to conduct an action research, including define and narrow down the topic and research questions, overview of the process of action research, review related literatures and write annotated bibliography, design research plan, complete IRB training, collect and analyze data. All of the students in ETEC 543 formed to three groups, each group 3 to 4 studetns. During the class meeting, we discussed the proper topics and research questions for three groups, the methodology and instruments each group employed, the survey questions of every group, the methods of numerical and narrative data analysis and so on. At the end of ETEC 543, each group completed the final paper, and did the presentation in front of class. We did peer reviewed and debates based on the group work.
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From the group corporation and all of the reflection activities we not only gained plenty of research knowledges, methods, ability of communcations, self-confidences but also built good relationship with teacher and other classmates. And most important, we had a markable experience of conducting an action research!
Brief of the group research:
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me and two of my classmates An and Michael conducted a mix-method research in CSUSB Badminton club.
Research Topic
The Effect of Instructional Videos on Badminton Teaching with College Students
Research Questions
(1) Do the instructional videos affect students’ badminton skills? If yes, how do the instructional videos affect students’ badminton skills?
(2) Do the instructional videos affect students’ attitudes toward badminton? If yes, how do the instructional videos affect students’ attitudes toward badminton?
Research Designs
Mixed-Methods
Pre/Post Tests
16 students of the SAE badminton club are involved to take a pre-test on Oct 25 and a post-test on Nov 16, 2016 for comparison. The results of two tests are reflected by the scores of each movement.
Questionnaire Survey (The same questions for Pre & Post Questionnaires)
We collected data via google forms. Both questionnaires contains seven questions, including six Likerd scale questions and an opened-ended question, which asked feedback from each student of the SAE badminton club.
Instruments
Rating Forms of Pre-Test and Post-Test show rating standard of each technical movement.
The recording videos of the whole process of smash.
Using Google Forms to collect the survey questions from students.
Below is the survey questionnaire for students of the SAE badminton club.
Link: goo.gl/Cwr27l
Please find the students' research sample work by clicking the following three buttons.
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Brief of the individual research:
Research Topic
The Effect of Online Pediatric Courses for Parents: Parents Knowledge of Pediatric Diseases and Their Perception of The Online Courses
Research Questions
(1) Is there any effect of online pediatric courses for parents to increase their knowledge about pediatric diseases?
(2) What are the parents perceptions of online pediatric course?
Research Designs
Explanatory mixed-methods research
Sample: 34 Chinese parents
Quantitative: In order to assess the knowledge of pediatric disease, I conducted pre and post tests with all the participants.
Pre and post survey were used to collect parents perceptions of online pediatric course.
Qualitative: To further investigate parents perception of the online pediatric course interview was included after the quantitative data collected and analyzed. 34 participants were divided to three subgroups. The post test scores of participants in Group 1 improved a lot. The pre and post tests scores of participants in Group 2 basically maintain the same level. The post test scores of Group 3 decreased. I chose one participant from each subgroup and conducted a semi-structured interview.
Please click below buttons to review the presentation, data analysis and research paper.
Reflections on ETEC 643
ETEC 643 is the advanced course of action research. In this course, we learnt the advanced sampling method, scale of measurement, data collection and analysis method.
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I remember last quarter when I reviewed the journal articles, there were lots of academic terms I could not understand, such as null hypotheses, ANCOVA, convenience sample and so on. In addition, although we learnt something about credibility, validity and reliability last quarter in the junior research class, I do not really know what are the differences between them and how to measure validity and reliability with my qualitative data, and how to make sure the credibility of the qualitative data. Moreover, we already learnt the definition of variety of tests last quarter, but for most of the tests I do not know how to use properly, and nor did I know how the result come out. The most important is, I have a comprehensive understanding of the structure of the research paper. I know the difference between the Result, Discussion and the Conclusion part of the research paper. In the advance course, I am very glad that most of my questions have been covered. Now I have a clearer picture of academic research.
Besides the above mentioned, we also enlarged the knowledge of research, which will be demonstrated below.
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References
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Baek, E. (2017,Feb1). Foundations of Educational Measurement. Message posted to
https://csusb.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-1458488-dt-content-rid-
5283352_1/courses/172ETEC64301/172ETEC64301_ImportedContent_20170108085528/PPT06.pdf
McMillan, J. H. & Wergin. J. F. (1998). "Understanding and Evaluating Educational Research."
Mertler, C. A., (2014). Overview of the action research process. Action Research Improving Schools and Empowering
Educators (4th ed., pp. 37). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.