The purpose of this quantitative research study was to investigate the integration of technology in undergraduate courses by faculty at private colleges and universities. Integration of technology is using technology as an instructional tool to improve teaching and learning (Clayton-Pedersen & O’Neill, 2005; Wilson & Hayes, 2000; Woodbridge, 2004). Chickering and Gamson’s (1987) 7 principles for good practice in undergraduate education provided the theoretical framework for this research. The researcher conducted a survey of full-time faculty at 21 private colleges and universities in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The results of the study indicated that faculty use technology significantly to communicate high expectations to students and to support diverse talents and ways of learning. However, faculty reported that they do not use technology significantly for the other 5 principles: to support student-faculty contact, promote cooperation and reciprocity among students, promote active learning, provide prompt feedback, and promote time on task.
Analysis of the data indicated that female faculty use technology significantly more than male faculty for all 7 principles. Findings regarding age indicated that faculty who are 40-59 use technology significantly more than faculty under 40 to support prompt feedback, time on task, and diverse talents and ways of learning. No significant differences existed between other age groups regarding these 3 principles. No significant differences existed between any age groups regarding use of technology to promote student-faculty contact, encourage reciprocity and cooperation, promote active learning, and communicate high expectations.
The results of this study extend the current knowledge about faculty use of technology to advance good practice in undergraduate education. Additionally, the results provide information about differences in use of technology by faculty based on gender and age. These findings may inform institutional policies and practices with regard to implementing a systemic approach to teaching with technology.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3822 |
| Date | 01 December 2014 |
| Creators | Smith, Evelyn G |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Electronic Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | Copyright by the authors. |
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