Using Communications Technology and Parental Involvement to Improve Homework Completion and Quality
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Authors
Lewis, Annitta R.
Issue Date
2003-05
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
communications technologies , parental involvement , homework , SchoolCall system , intervention program
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this research study was to determine if communications technologies and
parental involvement could be used to improve homework completion and accuracy. The
teacher-researcher designed an intervention program that included the use of the
SchoolCall system, a phone-based telecommunications device designed to facilitate
parent and teacher communication, and a teacher-created website to communicate with
parents. Baseline data was collected and compared to rates of homework completion and
the percentage of accuracy over a three-week intervention period. In addition to
determining if these technologies had any effect on homework completion and accuracy,
the researcher wanted to determine if parents would utilize the communications strategies
if they were made available.
The results of the study indicated that communications technology could
positively affect both homework completion and accuracy. Results also indicated that
parents used the communications technologies offered in the study. Results further
indicated that parents felt better informed about assignments and that they believed this
information could positively affect student progress.
The results of the study were communicated to the learning community through a
meeting with teachers and administrators. This meeting supported use of communications
technologies and emphasized the importance of parental involvement in improving
student achievement.