The current shortage of clinical sites for neurodiagnostic technology (NDT) students is limiting enrollments and subsequently limiting graduates from NDT schools in the U.S. A lack of knowledge or consensus concerning the use of educational technology in NDT clinical skills training prompted this investigation. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of educational technology in providing NDT clinical skill training. This qualitative Delphi study was guided by experiential learning theory and cognitive constructionist epistemology. Thirty expert panelists were recruited to rate the effectiveness of educational technology methods in addressing neurodiagnostic competencies for electroencephalography. Twenty-four completed round one, twenty-two completed round two and nineteen completed the third and final round. The competencies were derived by combining national competencies or practice analysis from the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom for neurodiagnostic technologists performing electroencephalography (EEG). Results of the three rounds of the Delphi study were processed using the mean value and interquartile deviation for evaluation of consensus. Consensus among the expert panelists supported the potential effectiveness of educational technology to address neurodiagnostic graduate competencies for technologists performing EEG. In conclusion, the expert panel consensus was NDT clinical skills for performing EEG can be addressed using educational technology, followed by a post-graduate clinical residency. Using educational technology and a post-graduate residency could increase school capacity. An increase in graduate numbers would help sustain the existing schools, better supply the profession, and increase public access to quality neurodiagnostic care.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence rates are increasing in the United States and globally. Education has been found to be an important strategy for increasing STI testing and treatment rates among sexually active young adults. The goal of this project was to develop an interactive educational game suitable for young adults to decrease the social and economic burden of STIs. The health belief model informed the project. A moderated usability evaluation was conducted using the concurrent think-aloud technique. The participants (N = 5) were a purposive sample of professionals who played the interactive game and then completed Schnall, Cho, and Lie’s Health-Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale instrument. The findings revealed the necessity of (a) an introduction screen, (b) a reward system for correct answers, and (c) avatars, while also highlighting that (d) the effect on indicator value bars is difficult to understand and (e) the timer led to a feeling of being rushed. The Cronbach’s alpha for the participant group was 0.798, the subscale “Perceived Ease of Use” achieved an alpha level of 0.815, and the subscale “Perceived Usefulness,” 0.762. Refinements to the game based on these data might help to ensure that use of the interactive game contributes to social change by increasing knowledge of STIs in the young adult population.

The purpose of implementing educational reform is to improve the academic achievement and social skills of graduating students, but evaluating the benefits of a particular instructional method or curriculum design can be complicated. In an online and problem-based learning environment that allows students to choose content and assessment projects and self-pace, the motivation of students to learn and their engagement in the learning process significantly influences the success of the program. This generic qualitative study focused on the experiences of middle school students participating in an online and problem-based educational setting. The study included interview data and self-evaluation questionnaires about students' levels of motivation and engagement. Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD), Bandura's theory of self-efficacy, Dewey's experiential learning theory and other motivational theories provided the conceptual framework for this qualitative study of personalizing learning in constructivist environments. The data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis with constant comparison. The findings highlighted the student perspective and identified factors that influenced students' buy-in to this type of personalized education. The results from this study may be used to help teachers plan and design curriculum and instructional strategies that encourage student motivation to learn and engagement in the learning process. Students who are motivated to learn and engaged in the learning process are more likely to graduate from school with the knowledge and skills required to enter the workforce and become productive knowledge workers in a knowledge economy.

There is a growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in elementary schools across the United States, and a current academic achievement gap between ELLs and non-ELLs. Researchers have found that integration of Web 2.0 tools has benefitted ELLs in language learning settings, outside of the general classroom. The research problem addressed in this study, based on TPACK, explored general education teachers' experiences with integrating Web 2.0 technology to support academic language acquisition by ELLs and revealed the successes and challenges the teachers encountered. The 6 female participants in this qualitative interview study were required to have experience (a) as a general education classroom teacher for at least 1 year (b) using Web 2.0 technologies in the classroom to support ELLs, and (c) teaching ELLs within the elementary classroom environment. Qualitative analysis of transcripts from 1-on-1 interviews involved a coding and recoding process, revealed that the teachers saw Web 2.0 technologies as effective in supporting student learning, building class community, and differentiating instruction. Challenges and needs they experienced included lack of access to technology, needs for professional development, and administrative support. Further research could explore integration of specific Web 2.0 technologies. Results of the study may lead to better informed decisions by policy makers and leaders about professional development, support needs, and language services. Addressing the technology needs of educators may potentially lead to equity for ELL students in general education settings that would empower ELLs to experience successful academic transitions through schooling, while decreasing the academic achievement gap.

The fusion of the Internet with instructional design, and curricula delivery methods eliminated transactional distance in online learning. However, distance education (DE) in Nigeria has not aligned its pedagogy to the new reality in technology. The purposes of this non-experimental, predictive, validity study were to determine faculty and administrators' perceived barriers and concerns to online adoption and to validate the behavior engineering model (BEM) instrument. Ninety-six respondents from four public universities in Nigeria completed the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used respectively, to assess barriers and concerns militating against faculty and administrators' online adoption, as well as validate the survey instruments. For faculty and administrators, incentive, motive, knowledge and skills influenced DE adoption. Except for age, all demographic factors influenced faculty's concerns. Gender was observed to influence administrators' concern. "Level of online use" influenced neither faculty nor administrators' concerns. Technographic characteristics influenced faculty, but not administrators.' Though the BEM instrument was reliable in measuring faculty and administrator's stages of concern, however, the 6-factor BEM, tested at the 95% significant level, did not give a good fit. The study contributes to positive social change by identifying gaps to effective DE implementation, and recommended the appropriate interventions to transform the DE experience for students and their universities. The study also proposed the framework to fast track Nigeria's vision and mission for DE.

School districts are increasingly adopting 1-to-1 technology initiatives to support 21st century teaching and learning; yet, there are still many challenges with the effective integration of technology into teacher instructional practices. Teacher's technological, pedagogical, content knowledge (TPACK) is an integral part in planning the instructional process for effective integration. In this quantitative study, teachers' knowledge of technology, content, and pedagogy was examined through the lens of TPACK and its relationship to their lesson design practices. Two validated TPACK instruments were used to collect data on 117 in-service teachers in a large, urban school district with a 1-to-1 technology initiative. A MANOVA and correlational analysis were performed, and results of this study indicated there were no statistically significant differences between teachers' constructs of TPACK and their years of experience in a 1-to-1 technology initiative. However, statistical significance was found between teachers' constructs of TPACK and their content area. Additionally, a correlation was found between teachers' TPACK, their lesson design practices, and design disposition. The results of this study may positively impact social change by informing school administrators and other educational change leaders in the planning of teacher instructional support to further develop teachers in the implementation of technology integration to support the 21st century learning needs of today's students.

Overall, 11% of high school students leave school without a diploma, and the percentage is higher for at-risk populations. High school graduates earn higher salaries and are healthier and more law abiding than dropouts. Research is limited on the motivation of at-risk students to graduate from high school related to their technological identity to include technology and social media in their learning schema. This qualitative case study explored at-risk students' perceptions of social media, personal learning networks, and informal learning in facilitating their graduation. Pink's concept of motivation, Siemens's connectivism theory, and Bingham and Conner's theory of engagement and social learning provided the conceptual framework. Interviews were conducted with 11 at-risk students identified by one Charter school: 4 students at-risk of dropping out, 3 dropouts planning to return, and 4 dropouts who had returned to high school. Open coding was used to identify rich themes and patterns that may help at-risk students succeed in school. Of the 5 themes identified 4 related to technology identity: transference to learning, relationships with personal learning communities and social networks, bridging technologies, and connected knowledge. Relationships with instructors and the school community also emerged as a theme. Connecting familiar and accessible technologies with formal learning could provide additional means of supporting academic success. Permitting the use of smart phones and social media to provide technological access to learning materials and instructors may create a motivating learning environment where students are willing to remain in high school to obtain a degree. Potential social and work benefits beyond high school may accrue for students.

Despite recommendations by the Association of American Medical Colleges regarding the adoption of technology in medical universities, faculty are still reluctant to adopt new learning technologies. The purpose of this qualitative interview study was to determine the factors existing in the adoption of learning management technology among late adopters within the faculty of colleges labeled as comprehensive academic medical centers. Using the Everett Rogers diffusion of innovations theory as its framework, this study sought to ascertain the factors late adopters identify as preventing them from adopting technology and to determine what measures they suggest to increase technology adoption among their peers. This qualitative study used interviews of participants identified as "late adopters" and subsequent document analysis to provide evidence for the factors identified. Using in vivo coding, data were organized into 5 themes: factors, learning management systems, demographics, general technology, and solutions. Results showed that late adopters avoided adopting learning management technology for several reasons including training, time, ease of use, system changes, lack of technical support, disinterest, and the sense that the technology does not meet their needs. Recommended solutions offered by faculty included varied times for trainings, peer mentoring, and modeling learning management system use among faculty. Understanding these factors may contribute to social change by leading to more rapid adoption and thus introducing efficiencies such that faculty can dedicate more time to medical instruction. It also may aid other universities when considering the adoption of a learning management system.

Many investigators have documented that lack of emotional intelligence (EI) in professional nursing correlates with patient dissatisfaction, negative patient outcomes, and litigation. However, much less information is available to nurse educators for an effective instructional strategy to increase EI skills, specifically emotion understanding and management (the most influential branches of EI) in nursing students. Grounded in the theory of EI and the theory of simulation, the purpose of this quantitative quasi experimental study was to introduce educational technology as a useful strategy for influencing EI in a convenience sample of 88 second semester students in a baccalaureate program. Research questions for the study examined the treatment (human patient simulators, stressful situational scenarios, and role playing) for changing EI skill levels. Repeated measures, within factors analysis of variance was used to test for a relationship between the variables at three time periods during a semester. Key results for emotion understanding were significant with small effect, F(1.973, 171.686) = 7.526, p = .001, partial ω2 = .047. Key findings for emotion management were significant with medium effect, F(1.827, 158.965) = 9.981, p < .0005, ω2 = .063. However, conclusions were mixed for influence, as the instructional strategy resulted in negative EI learning (consistent decreased gain) for most participants. By weeding out irrelevancies, this study contributes to current nursing research and informs nursing educators of the need to continue the search for an effective strategy for teaching emotion understanding and management skills in nursing curricula.

Computer technology is increasingly being implemented into objects other than the standard desktop computer, be it for keeping existing products current in our digital age or simply exploring the possibilities within the field of embodied interaction. The present paper investigates the emotional-motivational state of curiosity by discussing the design process and results from “Quizzerfid”, a design exploration on the use of RFID technology on a tangible puzzle. A short background on curiosity, embodied interaction, RFID technology, and other related projects will be given, to finally investigate the potentialities of the artefact in regards to stimulating student curiosity. A detailed description of the design of the Quizzerfid prototype will be presented, followed by an extensive process description and review of the performed user testing. The aim of this paper is to explore the design of the Quizzerfid puzzle framework in regards to its success in sparking curiosity and exploratory behaviour through embodied interaction, contributing to the design of future tangible interfaces and possibly even pedagogical aids.