The main aim of this study is to look for trends in the instructional technology field in Turkey and to visualize general tendencies in the field in research topics, research types, and methodologies. Content analysis research design was used in this study. In this study, the unit of analysis was MS theses and PhD. theses published in instructional technology departments in Turkey, and the researcher aimed to analyze all of the population. Hence, 215 MS theses and 32 PhD. theses were analyzed in this study. The data were categorized according to characteristics of the MS theses and PhD. theses (author, university, advisor, and publication year), research topics, research methods, sample type, sample size, data collection methods and research settings. These categories were statistically analyzed. In these statistical analyses both frequencies of these categories and fluctuations of these categories in time were analyzed. The findings of the study indicated that most of the MS theses were published in the Middle East Technical University and most of the dissertations were published in Ankara University. In addition to this, most of the MS theses and PhD. theses used quantitative research methods, and experimental studies were the most popular type. Not surprisingly, the study results revealed that convenient sampling was the most preferred sampling method and most of the studies used 31 &ndash / 100 subjects in their samples. Moreover, questionnaires, aptitude tests and interview schedules were the most common data gathering instruments used, and higher education was the most preferred research environment for the studies analyzed. Finally, most of the MS theses and PhD. theses focused on delivery system media formats, comparison studies and learner variables.

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The purpose of this research is to identify complex cultural dynamics in theinstructional design process of a cross-sector, cross-border training environment by applying Young’s (2009) Culture-Based Model (CBM) as a theoretical framework and taxonomy for description of the instructional design process under the conditions of one case. The guiding question of this study is: How does culture, as defined by Young’s (2009) CBM framework, interact with the instructional design process in this case of a cross-sector, cross-border training program? This research uses the qualitative approach of case study and applies a cultural design framework to examine the process of instructional design by a team of designers-by-assignment in a NASA/university consortium program to train applied research and development teams for an education software company headquartered in India. Fifteen representative participants were chosen to reflect each role involved in the training program and instructional design process, including management, instructors and students. In over two years of engagement with participants, data was gathered at a NASA space center and in Mumbai, India through interviews, observation and artifact analysis. Data was analyzed to identify where components of the design process, decisions of the design team, and perceptions of the stakeholders overlap with culture as defined by Young’s CBM framework. The findings indicate that at least twenty-three distinguishable elements of culture interact across the design process in the: 1) goals and funding decisions of the client; 2) goals and design decisions of the design team; 3) perceptions of the training program of all stakeholders; and 4) the observable outcomes of the training program. The findings also offer insight into what stakeholders do or do not consciously attribute to culture. By empirically illuminating the pervasive presence of cultural interactions across the instructional design process, this study advocates for culture to be recognized as a construct of importance in our field and demonstrates the powerful capabilities of using a comprehensive descriptive model as a lens for exploring cultural dynamics in the instructional design process.

This study sought to understand why some students at Eagle University (pseudo.) complete the doctoral program in instructional technology while others do not. The study explores factors and issues affecting doctoral attrition and completion of the Ph.D. in instructional technology (IT) in the College of Education at Eagle University, a major research university with very high research activity. Participants in the study were eleven former doctoral students from Eagle University (pseudo.), six of whom met the requirements for graduation (completers) and five of whom ended the pursuit of the doctoral degree in instructional technology at EU (non-completers). A qualitative study informed by phenomenology, the purpose of the study was to explore these phenomena from the perspective of the students. Postmodernism served as the theoretical framework. Participants were interviewed using the structured interview guide developed by the researcher. Two important findings were that only one of the eleven students knew what to expect from the program; and that completers were more likely to report that their primary motivation for pursuing the Ph.D. was for personal satisfaction. Recommendations were made based on student feedback, and included implications for students as well as implications for the university/program. Examples of advice for students were: 1) contemplate their goal(s) in pursuing the Ph.D. and consider the impact if something happened to alter that goal, and 2) seek out doctoral support groups and begin to establish relationships with current members. Two selected recommendations for the university/program were 1) develop a pre-application seminar or eLearning module to provide potential doctoral students with a realistic understanding of the program, and 2) consider developing a mentoring program that matched more experienced students or non-advisory professors to new students. Results of the study indicated that multiple factors affected both completers and non-completers; and these factors were often similar. However, among the key factors separating completers from non-completers were the determination of the student and the quality of the advisor relationship.

This study aimed to understand the relationship between (a) student teachers' conceptions of classroom technology use and digital equity and (b) the teacher education programs in which they study. This mixed method study occurred during the spring semester of 2012. Forty-one student teachers enrolled in two different university teacher certification programs completed an online survey in regards to their technology attitude and beliefs, technology knowledge and skills, technology support and infrastructure, and digital equity perceptions near their graduation date. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 of the participants to allow for student teachers to expand upon their conceptions of classroom technology use and their understanding of digital equity. The study found that student teachers in both programs were inclined to integrate technology in their future classrooms, but were lacking in experiences of student-centric, faculty modeling of technology integration within their subject, content areas. In regard to digital equity, student teachers that completed a formal educational technology course had a more complex and conscious conception of digital equity and its impact on the classroom than student teachers lacking a formal educational technology course. Discussion focuses on (a) persistent traditionalist power and pedagogy, (b) lack of content-based modeling, (c) dodging digital equity, (d) varying digital equity conceptions, and (e) persistent societal inequalities within these two teacher education programs. I then introduce 'critical transformative technology integration' (CTTI), which needs to be established in teacher education. CTTI provides students with opportunities for contextually and culturally relevant integration of technology into subject-content areas. Additionally, CTTI considers existing power relations, and aims to empower action and change. Student teachers possessing an understanding of technology integration and an awareness of digital equity will be better equipped to offer CTTI in their future classrooms. By providing all PK-12 students with opportunities for CTTI, teachers can reduce classroom digital inequities. To empower future teachers with the knowledge, skills, and conceptions necessary for CTTI, teacher education programs must consider their approach to technology integration and the development of digital equity. / text

This study sought to understand why some students at Eagle University (pseudo.) complete the doctoral program in instructional technology while others do not. The study explores factors and issues affecting doctoral attrition and completion of the Ph.D. in instructional technology (IT) in the College of Education at Eagle University, a major research university with very high research activity. Participants in the study were eleven former doctoral students from Eagle University (pseudo.), six of whom met the requirements for graduation (completers) and five of whom ended the pursuit of the doctoral degree in instructional technology at EU (non-completers). A qualitative study informed by phenomenology, the purpose of the study was to explore these phenomena from the perspective of the students. Postmodernism served as the theoretical framework. Participants were interviewed using the structured interview guide developed by the researcher. Two important findings were that only one of the eleven students knew what to expect from the program; and that completers were more likely to report that their primary motivation for pursuing the Ph.D. was for personal satisfaction. Recommendations were made based on student feedback, and included implications for students as well as implications for the university/program. Examples of advice for students were: 1) contemplate their goal(s) in pursuing the Ph.D. and consider the impact if something happened to alter that goal, and 2) seek out doctoral support groups and begin to establish relationships with current members. Two selected recommendations for the university/program were 1) develop a pre-application seminar or eLearning module to provide potential doctoral students with a realistic understanding of the program, and 2) consider developing a mentoring program that matched more experienced students or non-advisory professors to new students. Results of the study indicated that multiple factors affected both completers and non-completers; and these factors were often similar. However, among the key factors separating completers from non-completers were the determination of the student and the quality of the advisor relationship.

The purpose of this study was threefold; (1) to identify instructional technologies teacher educators use in teaching methods courses, (2) to identify the factors that influence their decisions for using such technologies in teaching methods courses, and (3) to investigate the extent to which teacher educators address the use of technology in inclusion in teaching methods courses. In this study, thirty teacher educators responded to fourteen Likert Scale questions, seven open-ended questions, listed technologies they use in the methods courses, and 5 of the teacher educators responded to another seven interview questions. The study used a concurrent mixed methods research design and used t-test, analysis of variances and Wilcoxon to analyze quantitative data. For qualitative data, collected through the Open-ended Questionnaire and Technology Inventory Checklist and the semi-structured interview responses were analyzed using open-coding. The results showed that teacher educators do use several technologies. However, the technologies they use are mostly instructional technologies and not inclusive technologies. In addition, the technologies used are more of content management like Desire to Learn and Black Board. Very few pedagogical and content delivery technologies are modeled to pre-service teachers. The study found that, regardless of teacher educators' experience, tenure and non-tenure, they all model technology similarly and not much variety of technology is used. They also minimally model inclusive technologies in the methods courses. The extent teacher educators model technology to pre-service teachers was low. While one third of the participants reported modeling technology for inclusion, the results also showed that two thirds of teacher educators modeled technology minimally. These results concurred with the results from the technology inventory list which showed that very few inclusive technologies are modeled to pre-service teachers in the methods courses. Study also found a non-significant effect on technology use and technologies used due gender, tenure, K-12 teaching experience or technology training. These results have an implication on how teacher educators integrate, use and model technology in the methods courses to pre-service teachers.

Three challenges in current secondary school science classrooms are (a) meaningful integration of technology, (b) integration of reading and writing in content courses, and (c) differentiation of instruction to meet individual student needs in courses. This is an exploratory study of an urban, high school marine science course in which a teacher added communication with her students via asynchronous online journals. This intervention was intended to enable the teacher to understand how students were constructing knowledge and their understanding of marine science topics. Data included journal postings from all students and the teacher throughout the semester, as well as the teacher's personal journal.

This applied dissertation was designed to describe the effects of using a computerized reading and vocabulary development program with struggling third-grade students in a low socio-economic school setting. Vocabulary knowledge is paramount to developing and understanding unknown or unfamiliar words. Many students struggle with comprehension due to their limited exposure of vocabulary words. Students who have a limited vocabulary are often poor readers and continue to be a part of the academic achievement gap. This achievement gap appears to continue throughout the student’s time in school. In an effort to lessen this achievement gap, the educational system is now incorporating computerized instructions as a means to increase student’s academic achievement. Several benefits of incorporating computerize instructions into the school’s daily curriculum can be seen in both reading comprehension and literacy skills. Computer assisted instructions or CAI are designed to fit the specific needs of students and to provide differentiated activities that will further supplement the instructions in the classrooms. Computers are being used to present activities that are more interesting thereby motivating the students to become active learners who are also actively engaged in the learning process. The computers and the computer programs that are being implemented into the school systems are beginning to become an integral part in the daily curriculum of the schools. Using technology is just another way to provide students with opportunities to improve in the areas of vocabulary, reading, writing and their listening skills.

Various studies show that the use of instructional technology in university-level second language courses can improve and enrich students' L2 acquisition and greatly motivate students to continue learning their target language. In spite of such advantages, few instructors are integrating instructional technology into their lessons. This research investigates the main issues that affect the use of instructional technology among L2 instructors at Brigham Young University. An online survey was administered to 98 instructors, examining the following factors: time, factors concerning software and availability, teacher training, and the attitudes of administrators. Results showed that the three most significant factors that impede the use of instructional technology among BYU instructors are a teacher's level of proficiency, the lack of time for training, and a lack of quality software. The research also shows that those instructors that had received training find themselves more competent and more prepared to integrate instructional technology in their courses than those that have not received any training. Because a teacher's training in use of instructional technology has significant benefits that motivate students in second language acquisition, we can conclude that teachers would profit a great deal from in-service training.