A study of the interrelationship between school and out-of-school uses of digital technology for collaboration by Australian secondary school students using activity theory
My research project examines the way students use digital technology for collaboration in both school and out-of-school contexts. It will focus on secondary students in Australia and use Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) as a theoretical framework for analysis. The project will involve observing students in a particular class for 4 to 6 weeks as well as interviewing them both at school and outside of school. Interviews will also be held with the classroom teacher and parents in order to get a broader picture of the students' activities. CHAT will be used to describe the activities of the students using digital technology and furthermore, this theory will help identify contradictions and tensions within these activities. Consequently, the project aims to clearly identify current student practices as well as ways in which school and out-of-school environments can be improved to aid student collaboration using digital technology. Overall, this project aims to improve our understanding of the way students use digital technology and improve policies around the use of digital technology both inside school and out-of-school.
I completed a Masters of Teaching English as a Second Other Language (MTESOL) through distance education at Charles Sturt and after completing a Graduate Certificate of Educational Research I decided to extend my study into a PhD.
PhD Scholar, Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE)
Research Assistant, uImagine Digital Learning Innovation Laboratory, Division of Student Learning, Charles Sturt University.
