Dissertation Information for Marjorie PappasNAME:
DEGREE:
DISCIPLINE:
SCHOOL: ADVISORS: COMMITTEE MEMBERS: MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected Title: A MICROETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF A COMPUTER PROBLEM-SOLVING GAME Abstract: This microethnographic study explored teachers' and students' perceptions of their roles while using the problem-solving computer game, Where In the U.S.A. Is Carmen Sandiego? Small groups of sixth and eighth grade students and their two teachers were observed and videotaped throughout their game-playing experiences. The study found teachers perceived the game from differing perspectives which led to two pedagogies, the discovery approach and the structured approach; on the other hand, the teachers used similar coaching strategies and the students used like problem-solving strategies regardless of the pedagogical approach. This study also found that some students perceived the computer as an information source while others did not. Other significant findings include the following: There were two student role sets, task roles and group-maintenance roles, and two group modes, collaborative and non-collaborative; there were differences in student perception and interpretation of the computer messages (graphics, animation, text, and sound); student perceptions of the computer game varied from a rule-governed game to a real-life simulation; and students' preconceptions of computer games influenced their perception of this game resulting in actions which varied from mindful to mindless. |
MPACT Scores for Marjorie PappasA = 0 Advisors and Advisees Graphgenerating graph, please reload |
Students under Marjorie Pappas
ADVISEES:
- None
COMMITTEESHIPS:
- Joyce Kasman Valenza - University of North Texas (2007)


