Date of Award
1997
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Bachelor of Education Honours
Faculty
Faculty of Education
First Supervisor
John Tingay
Second Supervisor
Carlisle Sheridan
Abstract
This study investigated the types of behaviours which were displayed by boys (whose teachers had identified them as at-risk), using the courseware package Storybook Weaver Deluxe for creative writing. Three boys from year six and three boys from year seven, from the same metropolitan government school participated in the study and were observed using the courseware package over a period of six weeks, during a one hour session per week. Video tape recordings and substantially non participant observations were made of the individual participants as they used the courseware package in a whole class situation. Individual interviews were conducted with each participant, with the classroom teacher and with the computing teacher at the conclusion of the six week period. Work samples from before and after the use of the package were collected for analysis. Data was collected to form a case study for each participant, and a cross-case analysis was implemented in order to find common patterns. It was found that the behaviours exhibited by the participants' whilst using the package could be classified into seven distinct motivational categories, and the feelings expressed in the participant interviews and the teacher interviews could be classified into three distinct categories. Finally, the creative writing behaviours of the participants first story, written before the use of the computer package, and their second story, written with the aid of the computer package, could be classified into six distinct process categories and nine distinct content categories. From these categories a theme of 'empowerment' was established. Findings showed that each participant felt empowered as a result of using the courseware package Storybook Weaver Deluxe, and this empowerment provided the motivation for creative writing.
Recommended Citation
Fisher, D. (1997). An investigation of the behaviours exhibited by boys (identified as at-risk) while using the computer for creative writing. Edith Cowan University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/306