Education Commons^™

Next Generation Open Textbooks: A Case Study, Christine R. Ingersoll, Larry Sheret

SOJMC Faculty Research

Design Across the Disciplines: Learning the value of communication design through practice” is an OER (open educational resource), digital textbook under prototype testing in a media design course. The text is created in collaboration with a librarian, two faculty from different colleges and two students who have completed the course. This interdisciplinary team was formed with the directive to embrace the powers of design thinking through digital content to develop a product that truly recognizes the needs of the primary users, our students and key stakeholders, the faculty. Several semesters of student feedback provided the insights for considering textbook cost; …

Teachers' Attitudes Toward Technology, Grace Stover

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' attitudes toward technology in their classrooms. This study focused on iPads, tablets, smartphone, and Apple TVs. The questions in the survey were designed to investigate teachers' comfort level with using this technology, and to determine teachers' attitudes toward the use of this technology in their classrooms. The majority of the educators reported that the technology was up to date. Next, fifty percent of the educators felt that they were not provided with adequate training prior to the implementation of the technology into the classrooms. Therefore, continuing to provide adequate training to …

Integration Of Gamification Into The Classroom And The Reception By Students, Zoe Stokes

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of the research is to change the way the traditional classroom works and how students are taught. With the rise in popularity of video games many people have begun to integrate elements of games into everyday life. This is what is known as gamification. We wanted to do this with the classroom and see whether or not students were receptive to it. In order to do this we had to look at the elements of video games that we wanted to use and then try and successfully integrate them into the class. We also had to change several …

Teachers Attitudes And Confidence In Technology Integration, Heather Brown

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine if training affects a teacher’s confidence in their ability to integrate technology in the classroom to enhance student learning. Technology training has been identified as a key component in a teacher’s attitude and confidence when it comes to the integration of technology into the curriculum. Data was gathered from an anonymous pencil/paper survey handed out to teachers in a Title I public elementary school in rural southern West Virginia to determine if training had any effect on their confidence to integrate technology. The information gained from this survey is intended to provide …

A Study Of Secondary Science Teacher Efficacy And Level Of Constructivist Instructional Practice Implementation In West Virginia Science Classrooms, Amanda Kristen Knapp

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of use of selected constructivist instructional practices and level of teacher efficacy in West Virginia secondary science classrooms. The study next sought to determine if a relationship existed between level of use of the constructivist practices and teacher efficacy. In addition the study sought to determine if differences existed in level of use of the selected constructivist practices and/or teacher efficacy based on selected demographic variables

The study was a mixed-methods design. First, a researcher-developed survey instrument was used to collect data regarding the level of use of constructivist instructional …

Information Technology Project Update: 2011-2012, Marshall University. Division Of Information Technology

IT Research

Marshall University Information Technology (MUIT) strives to provide seamless access to global resources, a robust infrastructure and current tools to support our faculty, staff and students, and high levels of technology to compete and excel in a world characterized by constant change with increased mobility. MUIT engages in collaborative relationships within the University and with the local community acting as a trusted partner anticipating needs and responding with innovative solutions in support of the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service via extensive research and planning endeavors.

Technology Use In A First-Year Composition Program, Estee Natee Beck

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examines how instructors view and work with technology in a firstyear composition program at a four-year, public university in central Appalachia. Six interview questions were developed for this study as a means to explore the instructor’s definition of technology, level of use (functional, critical, and or rhetorical), difficulties using technology, pedagogy, and socioeconomics of the student population. Using qualitative methods to find patterns in the data, correlations were present among participant responses with functional uses, access, and socioeconomics. Educators primarily use technology functionally for the purpose of creating linear-based essays; have broad access to technology, but do not …

Administrative Perspectives On Technology Integration: The Globaloria: Myglife Program In West Virginia, William E. Chapman Jr.

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The reputed benefits of using technology in schools have been the topic of many research studies. When the World Wide Workshop Foundation implemented their Globaloria program into a group of pilot public secondary schools in West Virginia in the fall of 2008, another opportunity for study was created. The perceptions of principals relating to: 1) the effect(s) of the Globaloria program on students‘ academic outcomes; 2) the purpose(s) of the program; 3) the principal‘s role in the program 4) the benefits; and/or 5) the liabilities of having the program in their schools were examined in this mixed-method study. Analysis of …

Middle School Principals’ Perception Of The Effect Of Technology On Job Effectiveness, James M. Blackwell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The use of computers and computer-based applications is prevalent in schools, from the classroom to the principal’s office. This study of middle school principals in Virginia and West Virginia addressed the following eight questions: (a) What computer technology applications are available to middle school principals? (b) What are the perceived levels of abilities of the middle school principal in regard to computer and keyboarding skills? (c) To what extent do differences exist in the skill levels of principals in demographic groupings? (d) To what extent are applications and programs used by middle school principals? (e) Is there a difference in …

A Study Of West Virginia Secondary Public School Library Media Centers And Library Media Specialists And Their Use Of 21st Century Technology Tools, Kimberly Ann Bickel Sigman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Twenty-first century learning, learning that teaches global and wellness awareness, and civic and business literacy, is essential for students to become vital, contributing members of society. In order for students to participate in an environment of 21st century learning, the attainment of 21st century skills is essential. Twenty-first century skills encourage students to collaborate, communicate, critically think, and reflect. Such skills involve the use of technology tools – 21stcentury tools – which include computers, Internet, production software, and communication processes. Literature establishes school library media centers as sites where students find many types of 21st century tools. Staffed by school …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Quality Online Practices As Perceived By West Virginia Higher Education Faculty, Michael H. Murphy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent West Virginia higher education faculty agree their online courses reflect high quality practices, as identified by the literature, for teaching in an online educational environment. The identified high quality practices are: (a) support, (b) collaboration and teamwork, (c) flexibility, (d) feedback, (e) assessment, and (f) adult learning techniques. This was a non-parametric study that incorporated measures of central tendency and the Kruskal Wallace test for significance to analyze the data. The instrument used in this research was a cross-sectional, self-reporting survey, titled the Survey of Online Educational Practices. The participants …

A Study Of West Virginia Teachers: Using 21st Century Tools To Teach In A 21st Century Context, Deborah D. Clark

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Technology integration is reinforced not only by the National Educational Technology Standards but also the West Virginia Technology Standards, making teachers more accountable to use technology in their daily teaching practice. Because West Virginia has established a partnership with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, West Virginia teachers are being encouraged to change instruction to meet the needs of 21st century learners. This includes being more student-centered by integrating instructional technologies to more actively engage students. By determining the frequency of integration of 21st century technology tools to create a 21st century context for learning and the factors that influence …

A Comparison Of Traditional Versus Computerized Anxiety Assessment Using Personal Digital Assistants, Wesley Alan Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The usage of the personal computer has become more prevalent in the field of psychology. The advent of the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) has opened a new area of possible clinical application. These pen-based devices allow for a more natural interface and more mobility. The feasibility and application of the PDA for personality assessment will be examined in this study. Does having a test administered by a PDA lead to a significant change in response patterns compared to a test administered by the traditional pen and paper method? The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the anxiety …

A Survey Of Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructors To Determine The Importance Of Integrating News Media Training Into The Cadet Curriculum, Kent P. Cassella

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The cover of the November-December 1995 issue of Military Review is emblazoned with the quotation, “We don’t win unless CNN says we win.” This testament to the power of the news media in military operations was given by General John Shalikashvili, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and was carried on the cover of this professional journal of the United States Army. The implied message in his statement is that professional military officers need to comprehend the power the news media have in a democratic society and their importance for the success of modem military operations.

War reporting …