Technology integration continues to be a professional development concern, especially in elementary schools. It remains unclear why there is a difference between how teachers talk about using technology and how they apply it in teaching reading. The purpose of this study was to explore professional development options that would help teachers connect theory to practice by studying their decision-making process. The conceptual framework was based on elements of the knowing-doing gap and reflective practices. The research questions explored (a) the decision-making process, (b) reflective practices used during decision-making, (c) professional development that facilitates closing the knowing-doing gap, and (d) recommendations from participants to improve upon professional development. In a case study design, 10 K-4 teachers participated in one 60-minute interview, one follow-up interview, and one 45-minute focus group. With the use of typological analysis, transcripts were coded for initial and emerging themes. Results indicated that integrating mobile devices was highly dependent upon teachers being self-directed learners. Teachers relied on informal collegial interactions when deciding to use mobile devices. Continuous professional development that addresses adult learning styles was recommended by the teachers to support technology adoption. Improvements to reading instruction lead to positive social change by increasing student achievement, thereby preparing students to be world citizens in a competitive global market.

A recent mandate by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists requires that U.S. radiologic technologists complete continuous qualification requirements (CQR). This study examined faculty skills and practices at an American university that developed online CQR courses in response to this mandate. It was specifically designed to assess the knowledge and skills of this university's faculty with regard to best practices in an online learning environment, so as to provide the basis for meeting faculty needs in distance education. Dewey's work on constructivism served as the framework guiding this study. A qualitative, intrinsic case study was employed to collect data using semistructured interviews of 11 imaging science faculty. NVivo10 -®-?¢ software was used to help analyze the data through a methodical approach of open and axial coding allowing for categorical creation of nodes. Through successive iterations, the nodes were further collapsed and emerged into 6themes: preparation for the online environment; just-in-time learning; knowledge of pedagogical and best practices; platform preparation/technology; interaction with students; and in retrospect, which was defined as the participants' reflections on previous experiences. The results were used to inform a position paper recommending ongoing professional development programs complimented with support services. Implementing the recommendations may position faculty to be more pedagogically appropriate when instructing in the online environment. The study contributes to positive social change by providing faculty with online teaching tools and skills. By positioning faculty with online pedagogical skills that improve instructional currency, practicing radiological technologists and their patients will ultimately benefit through enhanced patient care.

A recent mandate by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists requires that U.S. radiologic technologists complete continuous qualification requirements (CQR). This study examined faculty skills and practices at an American university that developed online CQR courses in response to this mandate. It was specifically designed to assess the knowledge and skills of this university's faculty with regard to best practices in an online learning environment, so as to provide the basis for meeting faculty needs in distance education. Dewey's work on constructivism served as the framework guiding this study. A qualitative, intrinsic case study was employed to collect data using semistructured interviews of 11 imaging science faculty. NVivo10 ®� software was used to help analyze the data through a methodical approach of open and axial coding allowing for categorical creation of nodes. Through successive iterations, the nodes were further collapsed and emerged into 6themes: preparation for the online environment; just-in-time learning; knowledge of pedagogical and best practices; platform preparation/technology; interaction with students; and in retrospect, which was defined as the participants' reflections on previous experiences. The results were used to inform a position paper recommending ongoing professional development programs complimented with support services. Implementing the recommendations may position faculty to be more pedagogically appropriate when instructing in the online environment. The study contributes to positive social change by providing faculty with online teaching tools and skills. By positioning faculty with online pedagogical skills that improve instructional currency, practicing radiological technologists and their patients will ultimately benefit through enhanced patient care.

Many culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) struggle with the writing process. Particularly, they have difficulties developing and expanding ideas, organizing and elaborating sentences, and revising and editing their compositions (Graham, Harris, & Larsen, 2001; Myles, 2002). Computer graphic organizers offer a possible solution to assist them in their writing. This study investigated the effects of a computer graphic organizer on the persuasive writing compositions of Hispanic middle school students with SLD. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used to examine its effects on six dependent variables: number of arguments and supporting details, number and percentage of transferred arguments and supporting details, planning time, writing fluency, syntactical maturity (measured by T-units, the shortest grammatical sentence without fragments), and overall organization. Data were collected and analyzed throughout baseline and intervention. Participants were taught persuasive writing and the writing process prior to baseline. During baseline, participants were given a prompt and asked to use paper and pencil to plan their compositions. A computer was used for typing and editing. Intervention required participants to use a computer graphic organizer for planning and then a computer for typing and editing. The planning sheets and written composition were printed and analyzed daily along with the time each participant spent on planning. The use of computer graphic organizers had a positive effect on the planning and persuasive writing compositions. Increases were noted in the number of supporting details planned, percentage of supporting details transferred, planning time, writing fluency, syntactical maturity in number of T-units, and overall organization of the composition. Minimal to negligible increases were noted in the mean number of arguments planned and written. Varying effects were noted in the percent of transferred arguments and there was a decrease in the T-unit mean length. This study extends the limited literature on the effects of computer graphic organizers as a prewriting strategy for Hispanic students with SLD. In order to fully gauge the potential of this intervention, future research should investigate the use of different features of computer graphic organizer programs, its effects with other writing genres, and different populations.

Field guide -- Map -- Nature trail plant species -- Plant identification key -- Species test plot -- Climate -- Cloud identification -- Desert soils -- Tortoise station -- Animal track and pond.

The purpose of this project was to create electronic books (E-books) for kindergartens to read during their center time. The E-books are intended for kindergarten teachers to use to help their students learn to read while utilizing the technology resources in their classroom. These E-books are teacher created so the cost is minimal and they can be copied and distributed to each student without worrying about copyright laws. Teachers can customize them to fit the current thematic unit they are teaching and once created, they can be used repeadedly without being damaged like paper books.

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The aims of this project hope to trace the factors affecting teachers' use of technology, with a concentration on Internet usage, and offer steps in helping teachers move toward integrating the Internet into their curriculum.

In order to test the ability of the Internet to supplement classroom instruction, an instructor-authored WWW site crashwhite.com was developed for two Berkeley High courses: Advanced Placement (AP) physics, and college-prep physics class. The website was intended to supplement classroom instruction by making classroom materials available to students and parents outside the classroom, and to facilitate increased teacher-parent, teacher-student, and student-student communication.