Introduction to Gearity Study

Gearity Elementary School has served as a Professional Development School in partnership with John Carroll University’s Teacher Education program for the past 5 years or so. In this capacity, the school has primarily provided a rich site for coursework in the teaching of reading, field experiences and student teaching.

In 2014 we plan to expand and strengthen our partnership in the context of a research study. Our research goal is to examine the effects of a digital-oriented learning environment on children’s motivation for reading and STEM-related vocabulary. Despite mounting evidence that digital resources (ebook/apps) engage students and provide quality feedback on literacy skills, the integration of digital tools into ELA instruction lacks description and study. By working together, we can provide classroom-based/tested information and contribute to the professional field.