<p> With millions invested in educational technology, what is its impact on student achievement and engagement? This question formed the basis for a review of the current literature on the impact of iPads and other instructional technology on student academic growth and motivation in public schools. The research supports technology&rsquo;s positive impact on student achievement and engagement, but more research is needed in order to better understand how iPad use impacts students in the early elementary mathematics classroom. </p><p> This dissertation study examines the effects of an iPad-based math intervention, as compared to a traditional paper-pencil approach, on second graders&rsquo; achievement and engagement in mathematics. The students were assigned to treatment and control groups in matched pairs based on sex and pre-test scores. Then students engaged in a four-week math intervention, using either the iPad or paper-pencil. At the end of each intervention, students completed quantitative posttests given by their classroom teachers. Students then switched treatment and control groups for a second four-week math intervention. Quantitative pre-post assessments include Bridges math unit tests, easyCBM math tests, and a Likert-scale engagement measure. After the two interventions were completed, qualitative focus group data were collected from the teachers involved in the study, giving a more complete view of student engagement.</p><p> With finite intervention time and resources, schools need to know how to best improve student achievement and engagement in mathematics. This study fills a documented research gap and will help inform school decisions regarding instructional technology in the early elementary math classroom. </p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative study was to look at how teachers use micro-blogging, in this case Twitter (www.twitter.com), for their own personalized professional learning and how effective Twitter is as a professional development (PD) tool. In order to measure the effectiveness of the tool, the researcher first gleaned nine essential characteristics of effective PD from the literature. This list was validated by experts in the PD community. The significance of this study was to reveal how participants actually used Twitter for PD, what their perspectives on the tool were, and how effective their experiences were with Twitter as a PD tool. Results of this study can be used to improve current practice, and provide a low cost, accessible, and available mechanism to foster an on-going, learner-centered, approach to PD, thus allowing teachers to become more involved in their own professional growth. For the 4 participants in this study, Twitter use for PD and its effectiveness varied greatly. The effectiveness of the tool depended on the participant&rsquo;s fluency with the technology and attitude towards social media. For the most fluent participant, Twitter met most of the requirements for effectiveness; however, Twitter use did not automatically provide a mechanism for reflection or self-assessment; nor did Twitter use provide an evaluation of the experience, both requirements of effective PD. With added evaluation and self-assessment processes, and with a fluent practitioner, Twitter does have the potential to be a very effective PD tool with its low cost, accessibility, and availability.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to examine Kuwaiti mathematical elementary teachers&rsquo; perceptions about their ability to integrate M-learning (mobile learning) into their current teaching practices and the major barriers hindering teachers&rsquo; ability to create an M-learning environment. Furthermore, this study sought to understand teachers&rsquo; perceptions about their ability to create a collaborative cloud-computing learning environment that corresponds with the 21st century skills and possibly explain their readiness for future reformation of education in Kuwait. </p><p> Using an Internet-based format to this study quantitative and qualitative data, the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and barriers survey gleaned quantitative information about how mathematics teachers and a head of a mathematics department (n = 562) viewed use of technology as well as the barriers they faced in integrating it into the classroom. Also, qualitative data were collected using a survey of open-ended questions to provide context to survey answers and better understand the barriers and affordance experienced by the participants. Moreover, a 21st century open-ended questionnaire was employed to collect qualitative information from mathematics teachers and head of the departments (n = 21) in regard the their ability to construct a 21st century learning environment based on collaboration and constructivist perspective utilizing a cloud-computing technology. </p><p> Quantitative analysis was utilized to examine elementary mathematics teachers&rsquo; perceptions using the TPACK survey, and the validity and reliability of the TPACK subscales were computed by administering the confirmatory factor analysis. Factors that were elicited were specified as: all seven subscales encompassed in the TPACK survey significantly fit model of factor structures, and the TPACK survey was reliable and valid. In addition, descriptive analysis such as the TPACK subscale means and standard deviations were computed via the SPSS software. </p><p> Qualitative content analysis was used to understand teachers&rsquo; perceptions about their ability to integrate mobile technology, perceptions of the primary barriers and affordance that limited their ability, and their perceptions of their ability to integrate collaborative cloud computing and create a 21st century learning environment based on the constructivist perspective. When analyzed, the self-reported open-ended survey yielded the following specific themes: (a) teachers perceived themselves high in their ability to integrate mobile technology; (b) the primary barriers based on teachers&rsquo; perceptions were budget constraints, IT limitations, time constraints, and administrative support; and (c) teachers perceived themselves high in their ability to integrate collaborative cloud computing to construct a 21st century learning environment based on the constructivist perspective. This study finding could be implemented to create a new modern mathematics elementary curriculum that resolves the current curriculum issues. Future research is recommended in the direction of creating a new mathematical curriculum based on administrators&rsquo;, parents&rsquo;, and students&rsquo; perspectives.</p>

<p> Professional Development for technology integration into the elementary curriculum has been a costly and frequently ineffective endeavor. The idea for the Tech Buddy model came from this frustration. Teaming a teacher who had high comfort and self-efficacy levels with technology, however who still had much to learn, together with a teacher who was willing to learn, but had low comfort and self-efficacy levels seemed natural.</p><p> The study consisted of 13 educators and one Administrative Intern from the school of study. The study paired a mentor who had a high level of comfort and self-efficacy with ICT integration with a mentee who had a low level of comfort and self-efficacy with ICT integration as measured by a pre-study self-assessment. The pairs were formed using three types; two were same grade level pairs, two were adjacent grade level pairs, and two were nonadjacent grade level pairs. All participants attended one half-day release time per quarter, one two-hour planning time per quarter and one evening stipend time per semester. Three of the six pairs began the study using iPads. Three of the six pairs began the study using Chromebooks. Midway through the study, the pairs all switched in order to use the other devices. The researcher also conducted interviews of each participant midway and at the end of the study. At the conclusion of the study, each participant again took the self-assessment in an effort to determine if the study was affective in increasing comfort and self-efficacy levels with ICT integration into the curriculum. The conclusion of the self-assessment indicated an increase in comfort level and self-efficacy in all participants except one pairing. The results were mostly positive and expected, however, one of the pairing did not show anticipated growth in all areas of self-assessment.</p><p> The conclusion of the study indicated the Tech Buddy program is a viable option for increasing comfort and self-efficacy levels of ICT integration into the elementary curriculum. The use of one particular device over another did not seem of concern. Application of the model should pay particular attention to how each mentor perceives his or her role as mentor.</p>

<p> Providing students with necessary intervention in the instruction of mathematics can be accomplished through the use of digital resources. Schools reaching a one-to-one (one device for every student) status have the ability to implement a digital intervention on a broad scale. For the purpose of this study, mixed methods research afforded an in-depth investigation into the impact of Khan Academy (digital intervention) embedded in a one-to-one program on student achievement, student perseverance with math, and teacher pedagogy within rural schools. The theoretical framework of educational technology integration known as Theoretical, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) was woven into this study to answer the guiding research questions. While using Khan Academy in a one-to-one setting, participating students were tested twice a year utilizing the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) testing procedure provided by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). The testing data provided quantitative data for the study. In addition, interviews of teachers and administrators were conducted to reveal themes related to teacher pedagogy and student perseverance with mathematical problems. An analysis of MAP scores revealed that 9th- and 10th-grade high school students utilizing Khan Academy in a one-to-one program demonstrated significantly more growth when compared to national norms. The study involved 227 9th-grade and 114 10th-grade students from three rural high schools in the Pacific Northwest. Results from an analysis of means illustrated that each grade level demonstrated significantly greater growth when compared to national norms. When examined at the school level, each of the three sites once again exceeded growth norms. Further analysis of the interviews revealed a pedagogical shift directly related to the use of Khan Academy embedded in a one-to-one program. Themes related to the success of the program include the ability of Khan Academy to fill individual gaps and practice skills to mastery, the importance of student and teacher buy-in, and the ability for students to have daily, individual access to devices. Furthermore, the interviews revealed teachers and principals did not agree on whether Khan Academy impacts student perseverance; however, a theme related to Khan Academy&rsquo;s ability to impact confidence with math did emerge. This study fills gaps in the existing literature regarding the academic and pedagogical impact of Khan Academy on teaching and learning. In addition, this study addresses a gap in the literature regarding rural schools&rsquo; use of a digital mathematical intervention program as a means of blended learning. Implications for educational policy can result from this study given the current political climate surrounding one-to-one and blended learning deployments. This study demonstrates that when one-to-one deployments are paired with the use of Khan Academy, student achievement can be positively impacted.</p>

<p> A qualitative multicase study utilizing content analysis and qualitative coding techniques was conducted to explore the influence of the use of digital backchannels on student interaction and reflection during an in-class discussion. Data were collected from six front channel transcripts and twenty backchannel transcripts, which resulted from six backchannel discussions that were conducted in three different teacher education courses. Additional data were gathered from participant interviews of seven students who were enrolled in the participating courses. The outcome of the research indicates two main themes developed in regards to the influence of digital backchannels on student interactivity: (1) The content chosen for backchannel discussions influenced student &ndash; content and student &ndash; student interaction and (2) The design of the backchannel activity affected all three types of interaction. The content analysis indicated there was limited variation in the amount of dialogue dedicated to discussing content. Interaction with content was apparent in all six class sessions, and the nature of the digital backchannel activity encouraged interaction with content at a relatively high level, with evidence of students building knowledge, drawing conclusions, and asking additional questions throughout the activity. The structure of the backchannel design also influenced student interactivity. Three factors were instrumental in determining how interaction was affected: (1) Whether or not the separate backchannel groups were connected digitally to the front channel group, (2) The role the instructor took throughout the activity, and (3) The seating arrangement and number of group members in the backchannel groups.</p><p> The following primary theme emerged in relation to the second research question, which considered the influence of digital backchanneling on reflection: (1) Student reflective thinking was present and supported throughout the activity. All twenty-six front and backchannel transcripts displayed evidence of reflective thinking as measured by Rodgers (2002) criteria for reflection in an educational setting. The seven students interviewed agreed this type of thinking took place during the activity, and the technique gave them the opportunity to reflect more as compared to a verbal in-class discussion. Additionally, all seven students felt they would utilize the educational technology in their future classrooms, directly connecting their experience with current situations and new ideas.</p><p> Lastly, the third research question was designed to explore the overall learning experience associated with backchannel discussions. Two primary themes resulted in relation to the third research question (1) Digital backchanneling resulted in a meaningful, positive, and focused learning experience, and (2) Millennials/digital natives seem to be less comfortable with technology and multi-tasking when used in an educational environment.</p>

<p>Makerspaces have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, resulting in an influx of Maker education in K-12 settings. While Makerspaces have been studied abundantly in museums, libraries, and in after-school programs, little research has been conducted inside the K- 12 school day. The goal of this study is to discover insights of established Makerspaces inside the K-12 school environment. In this exploratory mixed methods study, educators were survived, examining school and participant demographics, Makerspace setup, as well as intersections of technology, content, and pedagogy. Next, the researcher conducted a follow-up interview with selected participants based on diversity in the following key demographic areas: teacher gender, professional background, and school environment. In order to better understand K-12 implementation of Makerspaces, the study examines seven characteristics of Makerspaces: setting, computational thinking, participant structures, teacher training, gender and racial issues, assessment, and sustainability. The data was examined through TPACK framework with a constructivist approach. Makerspaces can empower students to invent, prototype, and tinker with low-cost technology tools such as microcircuits and fabrication tools such as 3d printers. The goal of this study is to add to the body of literature regarding the role and potential value of Makerspaces in school environments. This exploration of Makerspaces in K-12 setting could be generalized to serve as a guide for teachers who want to establish their own Makerspace.

<p> This descriptive research study examined if the training for online class delivery that post-secondary faculty currently experience includes best practices for online design and delivery.</p><p> As of 2015 most colleges and universities had indicated that offering online course programming was necessary to achieve key strategic goals for their institution. Demand for online classes is strong, but enrollment and re-enrollment in these classes have not consistently increased since 2009. Dropout rates have increased and are reported at twice that of traditional classes with students blaming the school or faculty, and faculty and academic leadership blaming the student for lack of self-motivation, which is key to successful online learning. </p><p> As online programming has become ubiquitous, academic leadership is no longer wondering whether they should offer online courses, but rather have shifted focus to how to address and maintain the satisfaction of the online student. Faculty training in online delivery can impact student motivation and satisfaction. This study examined what type of training faculty experience and as a result, whether they were able to indicate knowledge of best practices in demonstrating Presence in an online class, understanding importance, and methods, of Interaction, whether they understood the best practices associated with the Design of an online class, how design can impact student motivation, as well as whether faculty felt confident in their ability to deliver an online class, or prepared to communicate virtually with their online students.</p><p> A self-report survey was administered to more than 2800 faculty and 254 responded. The majority of participants acknowledged having received some type of training and were more likely to indicate knowledge of best practices than those that had received no training at all. Those that indicated training that included both design and delivery of an online class were more knowledgeable in the best practices than those that had received training in the software alone. Finally, faculty that received training that included design and delivery elements were more likely to say they felt confident in their ability to deliver an online class and that they felt prepared to communicate virtually with their online students.</p>

<p> Each year, a growing number of K&ndash;12 students participate in some form of online instruction (Watson et. al, 2015). This transition to online learning environments raises questions about the design and distribution of curricula in K-12 educational systems. This dissertation explored the perceptions of K-12 online educators regarding the significance and challenges associated with teaching social and emotional learning (SEL) and character education skills in online learning environments. The SEL related efforts of current online instructors are compared to the best practices in character education and SEL known to be effective in traditional classroom settings. A mixed-methods approach of using a questionnaire to gather data and then conducting interviews was employed. Seventy-one K-12 online educators responded to the questionnaire with a smaller group of six participating in follow-up interviews. The ethics of care (Noddings, 2005) and social responsibility (May, 1996; Dewey, 2009) provided the theoretical lens for this study. Additionally, the Social Development Model (Hawkins &amp; Weis, 1985; Catalano &amp; Hawkins, 1996) was used as an analysis tool to gauge whether the online educators&rsquo; purported integration of social and emotional learning and character education met what the Social Development Model proposes is necessary to develop prosocial behaviors. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)</p>

<p> School districts have spent millions on technology tools and trainings. Yet, half of teachers still feel unprepared to utilize technology in the classroom. The primary barrier to technology has shifted to teacher belief&mdash;composed of teaching philosophy, technology skills, and experience with technology. Technology-based professional development must integrate a theoretical framework which directly addresses the role of technology in order to fully support teacher technology integration. Moreover, technology-based professional development requires new models to counteract the focus on skills acquisition. The researcher used the TPACK (Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge) framework&mdash; conceptualizing instruction as a blending of technology, pedagogy, and content- to support participants in evaluating their own practice. Additionally, the researcher investigated supplemental supports for professional development, modeling and mentoring, on technology integration. The researcher used the Technology Integration Assessment Rubric (TIAR), based on the TPACK framework, to measure changes in technology integration. Comparison of pretest and posttest TIAR scores found TPACK-based professional development raised TIAR scores by 0.37 (<i>SE</i> = 0.051, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Analysis of the mean posttest TIAR scores for the supplemental supports showed mentoring (<i>M</i> = 2.47), modeling (<i>M</i> = 2.29), and modeling and mentoring (<i>M</i> = 2.27) scored higher than the control group (<i>M</i> = 2.17), but were not statistically significant. Based on the results, the researcher asserts the need for theory-based support for technology integration and school districts to incorporate TPACK into the core principles guiding instructional technology departments. Further research is needed regarding the evolution of diverse models for professional development.</p><p>