Educational Technology Commons^™

Rethinking The Dissertation: Opportunities Created By Emerging Technologies, Katina Rogers

Publications and Research

This is a position paper for a workshop convened by the Council of Graduate Schools on rethinking the dissertation. In it, I reflect on what new technologies enable us to do with this critical milestone in graduate study. My main argument is that while the affordances of specific technologies can be exciting, more important is the shift toward collaborative, creative, accessible, and public-facing scholarly work that today’s digital platforms allow.

Examining Variations In Technology Use For K-12 Students Of Different Gender And Socioeconomic Status, Nikki Lyons

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature currently published on how members of different genders and socioeconomic classes use technology to suit their needs in and out of the classroom learning environment. It will focus on the use of digital technologies by students in elementary, middle, and high schools. This was done by examining 30 research-based, peer-reviewed journal articles, books, published papers, documents, and observational analyses. The research indicates there are clear differences in how members of different subpopulations such as gender and socioeconomic groups choose to use technology to suit their communication, collaboration, instructional, and entertainment …

Evaluation Of Static Vs. Dynamic Visualizations For Engineering Technology Students And Implications On Spatial Visualization Ability: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Petros Katsioloudis, Daniel Dickerson, Vukica Jovanovic, Mildred Jones

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The benefit of using static versus dynamic visualizations is a controversial one. Few studies have explored the effectiveness of static visualizations to those of dynamic visualizations, and the current state of the literature remains somewhat unclear. During the last decade there has been a lengthy debate about the opportunities for using animation in learning and instruction. More specifically it has been shown that dynamic visualizations often provide no advantages over static visualizations. If they had shown advantages, it was due to the fact that more information was available in the animated than in the static version. Given this result, the …

The Effects Of Technology Innovativeness And System Exposure On Student Acceptance Of E-Textbooks, Madison N. Ngafeeson, Jun Sun

Information Systems Faculty Publications

The efforts of educators in the last three decades have, among other things, focused on the use of information technology (IT) in education. It has become commonplace to view information systems both as an effective carrier of course content as well as a cost-effective tool to improve student learning outcomes. One of such technologies is the e-book. Decision-makers in the education field need make sense of this technological transformation. However, despite the growing popularity of e-books in higher education, its adoption by students is yet to be crystalized. This study exploits the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework to examine student …

Use Of Mobile Phones For Interaction In Distance Education, Tayyaba Batool, Ginger Watson, Saul Carliner (Ed.), Catherine Fulford (Ed.), Nathaniel Ostashewski (Ed.)

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Distance education is a widely adopted technology in many developed parts of the world where educational agencies are constantly considering new technologies that can serve as a medium for instructional delivery and interaction. Mobile phones are one of the most recent technologies to gain much consideration and use. This brief paper outlines the current state of distance education, delivery mediums, and instructional approaches that foster interaction to promote effective learning. Particular emphasis is given to the potential for mobile devices to be used as effective instructional tools in distance education in Pakistan and other underdeveloped countries. The proposed study will …

Analysis Of Attitudes, Gender, And Beliefs Of Adolescent Students Concerning Interactive Technology, Courtney L. Teague

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide insight about the perceptions of middle school students attending a Title I school about technology use and careers. Using a mixed methods approach, the researcher explored the beliefs and circumstances that affect attitudes and behaviors in technology usage by eighth-grade boys and girls. The research questions for this study included: 1) female Title I middle school students' perceptions of interactive technology, 2) male Title I middle school students' perceptions of interactive technology, and 3) gender differences towards interactive technology. Data were collected from six focus group participants and 226 students who completed a …

Exploring Intensive Longitudinal Measures Of Student Engagement In Blended Learning, Curtis R. Henrie, Robert Bodily, Kristine C. Manwaring, Charles R. Graham

Faculty Publications

In this exploratory study we used an intensive longitudinal approach to measure student engagement in a blended educational technology course, collecting both self-report and observational data. The self-report measure included a simple survey of Likert-scale and open-ended questions given repeatedly during the semester. Observational data were student activity data extracted from the learning management system. We explored how engagement varied over time, both at the course level and between students, to identify patterns and influences of student engagement in a blended course. We found that clarity of instruction and relevance of activities influenced student satisfaction more than the medium of …

Measuring Student Engagement In Technology-Mediated Learning: A Review, Curtis R. Henrie, Lisa R. Halverson, Charles R. Graham

Faculty Publications

Using digital technology to deliver content, connect learners, and enable anytime, anywhere learning is increasing, but keeping students engaged in technology-mediated learning is challenging. Instructional practices that encourage greater engagement are essential if we are to effectively use digital instructional technologies. To determine the impact of innovative instructional practices on learning, we need useful measures of student engagement. These measures should be adaptable to the unique challenges to studying technology-mediated learning, such as when students learn at a distance or in a blended learning course. In this review, we examine existing approaches to measure engagement in technology-mediated learning. We identify …

Perceptions Of Pedagogical Affordance Of Smart Mobile Technology, Khitam Shraim, Helen Crompton

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Smart mobile devices are becoming ubiquitous among educators and students in Palestine. Mobile devices can be used to provide learning that is contextualized, personalized and unrestricted by location and time. Although these device capabilities are available, many faculty in higher education are not effectively incorporating this technology into their teaching. This study therefore examined academics’ perceptions of the value of integrating mobile devices into their teaching activities. A questionnaire survey collected data from 56 academic staff of the Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie, eliciting perceptions of the pedagogical affordance of mobile devices and challenges to their use in teaching. The …

Mobile Learning, John M. Traxler, Helen Crompton

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Interactive, Holistic, And Experiential Criminal Justice Online Learning Environment, Karen Miner-Romanoff, Lewis Chongwony, Jonathan Mccombs

Learning Showcase 2014

The study is designed to test the effectiveness of specific experiential e-learning strategies for criminal justice students, this study seeks to determine how a comprehensive series of videos that includes a criminal trial and interviews of the judge, defense counsel, prosecution, investigators and court director discussing their roles enhanced course and learning outcomes. The second study purpose is to test the effectiveness of a comprehensive and interactive criminal justice computer model that allows the students to work within the multifaceted and complex system and explore descriptions, concepts, theories, relationships, and sequences in order to enhance learning outcomes regarding the system(s) …

Improving Virtual Machine Implementation To Simplify Learning By Using Vcloud Director, Prashanthi Nallan Chakravarthula

Learning Showcase 2014

VMware vCloud Director is a part of vCloud Suite, and is used to provide an advantage in facilitating remote lab environments for students by hosting a product that allows the user to run virtual machines on dedicated hardware. Educators have been encouraged to develop this tool in higher education systems across the country.

For a long time, students and educators have being using the concept of VMware workstations in their lab environments. However, this typically requires students to download and install software, which can be a burden causing issues and problems resulting in loss of class productivity.

The purpose of …

Technical Quality And Engagement In A Hybrid Communication Course, Brenda L. Jones

Learning Showcase 2014

Hybrid courses combine face-to-face and online students in an instructor-led synchronous session supported by internet-based video conferencing. Instructional technology selection models theorize that a minimum level of technical quality as well as two-way interaction between instructors and students are needed to achieve engaging and effective learning in the hybrid context (Caladine, 2008; Huddlestone & Pike, 2008).

The study reported in this paper was conducted in two sections of a hybrid communication course and focused on technical quality and student engagement with the instructor and classmates. A theoretical model of a “learning threshold” was advanced, suggesting that richer media might support …

Value Risk Perceptions Of Elearning, Andy Igonor, Bill Mcmullen

Learning Showcase 2014

The influence of information technology on learning and higher education would seem a no-brainer for a lot, especially institutions that have already embraced the notion of eLearning as the new mode of education delivery. To others, notably traditional educational institutions, the perception of the risks of eLearning may sometimes be seen to outweigh its potential value, making it an unattractive way to deliver learning. Several research has been conducted to measure the impact of eLearning specifically on higher education faculty. Others have focused specifically on the perception of eLearning amongst students, and in some instances institutional administrators.

It is the …

Artificial Intelligence And Elearning 4.0: A New Paradigm In Higher Education, Leslie J. King, Wenxia Wu

Learning Showcase 2014

John Markoff (2006, para.2) was the first to coin the phrase Web 3.0 in The New York Times in 2006, with the notion the next evolution of the web would contain a layer “that can reason in human fashion.” With the emergence of Web 3.0 technology and the promise of impact on higher education, Web 3.0 will usher in a new age of artificial intelligence by increasing access to a global database of intelligence. Bill Mark, former VP of Siri note, “We’re moving to a world where the technology does a better job of understanding higher level intent and completes …

Statistical Strategies: Meeting The Needs Of Struggling Math Students Through Self-Guided Interactive Media, Nimet Alpay, Adam Reid, Caitlin Uttley, Carolyn Levally

Learning Showcase 2014

The goal of every introductory statistics course is to produce statistically literate students with an ability to make informed decisions and to think critically. This is a challenging task. In fact, the introductory statistics course at Franklin University, Math215, has had disproportionately low success rates for several years. To address these concerns, considerable revisions were made to the curriculum, addressing the challenges of students and faculty. Perhaps the most significant among those changes was the addition of a series of standalone, interactive multimedia pieces to supplement the textbook and other course materials. The development of these 28 multimedia pieces took …

10 Tips For Creating Awesome Powerpoint Presentations, Barbara Carder

Learning Showcase 2014

Introduction and Background: Franklin University faculty and staff create PowerPoint presentations to supplement information being presented. These presentations may be given in the classroom or the boardroom, but all too often are poorly constructed.

Response: This poster presentation provides 10 tips to keep in mind as a PowerPoint presentation is being created:

1. Know your audience
2. Use templates
3. Select two fonts
4. Font size matters!
5. Color counts
6. Follow the 6x6 rule
7. Highlights only please
8. Use quality images
9. Animate thoughtfully
10. Proofread!

Model For Using Social Network To Enhance Teaching And Learning, Leslie J. King, Joann Jordan

Learning Showcase 2014

Theorist Jean Lava and Etienne Wenger (1991) proposed the idea of legitimate peripheral participation which serves as the foundation for Communities of Practice (CoP). Three elements are required for CoP’s to be successful; 1) domain, 2) community, and 3) practice. CoP’s are successful when members interact, share ideas and discuss best practices over a period of time. This type of social learning is accompanied by a gradual, yet sustained improvement of practice and knowledge among community members. Although improvement is sometimes an unintentional outcome of the social learning process, see how this CoP model intentionally integrates operational and instructional strategies …

Technology-Enhanced Work Examples: Techniques For Using Mobile Devices To Enhance Learning Through Teaching, Collaboration, And Sharing, Julie A. Wuebker

Learning Showcase 2014

Many principles and concepts are best explained and demonstrated through worked examples. Worked examples can take many forms from fill-in-the-blank to fully written-out from scratch. Research shows that students and faculty alike find great value in spontaneous written examples on a whiteboard or chalkboard. This spontaneity allows instructors to quickly adjust to the learners needs. In this showcase, you will see how to use technology to transfer this concept of the classroom-based spontaneous worked example to online and hybrid class environments.

Engineering Design: A Cognitive Process Approach, Greg Joseph Strimel

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The intent of this dissertation was to identify the cognitive processes used by advanced pre-engineering students to solve complex engineering design problems. Students in technology and engineering education classrooms are often taught to use an ideal engineering design process that has been generated mostly by educators and curriculum developers. However, the review of literature showed that it is unclear as to how advanced pre-engineering students cognitively navigate solving a complex and multifaceted problem from beginning to end. Additionally, it was unclear how a student thinks and acts throughout their design process and how this affects the viability of their solution. …