Education Commons^™

An Equitable Technology Infrastructure Model: Sustained Technology Practices Implemented During Covid-19 That Address Educational Inequities, Jennifer Hill, Tracy Reimer

Teacher Development Faculty Presentations and Posters

2020 Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the digital divide revealing an expanse of inequity among students who had access to the internet, personal devices, and parental support during remote learning and those who did not. Framed with the theoretical lens of equity literacy, this poster details the results of a survey completed by 56 Minnesota district level technology directors. The survey asked how school districts were addressing the technology inequities experienced by students and families while in hybrid and distance learning models. Results reflected that districts’ efforts to provide students technology devices were efficient and successful. Recommendations for further research …

3 Education Wins Sustained By District Technology Directors Post-Pandemic, Jennifer Hill, Tracy Reimer

Teacher Development Faculty Publications

Technology directors express optimism about the opportunity to reimagine school as a consequence of the pandemic. They describe three important wins post-pandemic: marked increases in teachers’ technology proficiency and improved digital pedagogy, addressing educational equity barriers through online learning models, and reimagining schools vs. long-held traditional educational models.

Strategic Growth Plan For Developing Indian Engineering Educational Institutes In The Era Of Emerging Areas Of Science And Technology, Sunita R. Patil Dr., Suresh K. Ukarande Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Strategic growth plan is a road map of an institute looking for its continuous and sustainable development over certain time duration. Measuring the constant and sustainable growth of any higher and technical educational institute, the strategic goal plan is the blueprint focused towards achieving the vision and mission of the institute. The strategies in terms of short and long term goals, measured through performance indicators of academics, administration, finance, research and extension activities need to be identifies, defined, worked on it and should be monitored and evaluated against target settings. This article presents the Strategic Educational Growth Plan of K …

Restoring Confidence In Educational Technologies, Ariel Newman

Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Instructional Design With A Language Lens: Preparing Educators For Multilingual Classrooms, Amy J. Heineke, Wenjin Guo, Luke Carman, Mctighe & Associates

Education: School of Education Faculty Publications and Other Works

Classrooms are more diverse than ever before with increasing numbers of multilingual students who are developing English proficiency while simultaneously being expected to learn and perform in English in literacy and the content areas. In the context of the United States, previous efforts to prepare teachers for the heterogeneous population of students have led to simplified curriculum that limits children’s equitable access to rigorous disciplinary learning. This chapter probes one project’s efforts to build capacity in schools by holistically preparing educators across grades and disciplines to provide equitable instruction for students labeled as English learners. Using a framework that added …

Balancing The Benefits And Risks Of Ai Large Language Models In K12 Public Schools, Jesse Senechal, Eric Ekholm, Samaher Aljudaibi, Mary Strawderman, Chris Parthemos

MERC Publications

With artificial intelligence (AI) models rapidly emerging, the potential implications for K12 education are imminent. To illuminate the potential impacts on public schools, this MERC research brief answers the following questions: 1) What is AI? What are AI large language models? How do they work?, 2) What are the implications of large language models for teaching and learning?, 3) What are the main concerns with the use of AI large language models? What are the concerns for use within public schools?, 4) What are the considerations for school district policy on AI large language models?, and 5) What are the …

Fostering School-Home Partnerships: Transforming Learning As A Result Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer Hill, Tracy Reimer

Teacher Development Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need for schools to strengthen their relationships with families in order to support remote learning. Framed with the theoretical lens of the traditional partnership model, this paper details the results of a survey completed by 56 Minnesota district level technology directors. The survey asked how school districts were responding to the technology needs of students and families while in hybrid and distance learning models. Three main themes emerged from the survey data: maximizing caregiver support to improve student
learning, increasing attendance and engagement in the online learning environment, and building technology savviness in parents and …

Introducing Tablets To The Classroom: A School Improvement Plan, Carrie Thompson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

At a privately owned, fee-paying, international school in Cambodia, parents believe that their children are receiving the best possible education. The school advertises that it uses cutting-edge technology, however, in the primary school this technology is restricted to an out-of-date computer lab. The students at this school are not able to utilize mobile devices, such as tablets, to assist with their learning. The lack of devices has hampered student achievement, especially in the area of the technology skills required for the 21st century. This school improvement plan aims to change the way students at the school learn. This plan will …

Technology Enhances Literacy & Numeracy Skills In A Play-Based Preschool Classroom, Sarah Ringsdorf

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This research project investigated how technology can improve literacy and numeracy skills in a play-based preschool setting. This study looked at four basic literacy skills and four basic numeracy skills that could be enhanced through the use of the KidsAcademy iPad app. This study used a quantitative approach with a dependent sample t-test to look at how literacy and numeracy scores changed from a pre-test to a post-test. Data was analyzed using an average means between the students that used the technology. Findings suggest that the use of technology in preschool can advance literacy and numeracy skills, thus aiding in …

Improving Preschoolers’ Number Sense Using Computer Math Games, Justine Hosch

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research study was to determine whether a preschool child’s number sense skills could be improved by using the iPad application ABCya! Games. The research study was conducted in a preschool classroom of 19 students at an elementary school in central Iowa. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data as students were assessed prior to and after the intervention, and were observed playing the technology-based math games during the intervention period. Given the limitations of the study, the findings of this study determined that the technology did not significantly improve student learning outcomes in …

Behind The Mask: Teaching Gen Z As One Of Its Own, Ariel Newman

Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Crossing The Digital Divide And The Equity Expanse: Reaching And Teaching All Students During The Pandemic, Jennifer Hill, Tracy Reimer

Teacher Development Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the digital divide revealing an expanse of inequity among students who had access to the internet, personal devices, and parental support during remote learning and those who did not. Framed with the theoretical lens of equity literacy, this paper details the results of a survey completed by 56 Minnesota district level technology directors. The survey asked how school districts were addressing the technology inequities experienced by students and families while in hybrid and distance learning models. Results reflected that districts’ efforts to provide students technology devices were efficient and successful. Of greatest concern for respondents was …

Technology Use In Education By Students And Teachers, Cody Dyhrkopp

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Technology in education is becoming more and more common in the digital era that we now live in. The purpose of this literature review is create awareness of students and teacher's feelings towards technology in education. In addition to their feelings, an abundance of positive ways to integrate technology in the educational setting were also identified. The ways to use technology in the classroom include play, digital storytelling, games based learning, blogs, coding, robotics and virtual field trips. Teachers can also use technology to make significant changes to their classroom settings by flipping the classroom, making their classrooms one to …

Technology To Increase Peer Interactions In Preschool, Angela Mclean

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Adding technology to the preschool classroom without interfering with social interactions is a dilemma for educators. Peer interactions are an important developmental goal in preschool age students. Increased pressure to include technology in education at earlier ages is often viewed as a hindrance to social interactions in play-based curriculum, with many educators feeling unprepared in the methods to incorporate technology. The goal of this literature review is to analyze current research to discover methods that can increase social interactions among peers with the addition of technology tools in the preschool classroom. This review looked at forty-seven studies of social interactions …

The Effects Of Technology On Reading Fluency In A First Grade Summer School Classroom, Bailey A. Kennedy

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if the technology app EPIC! is more effective in helping first-grade students increase their oral reading fluency skills compared to a teacher-assisted, non-technological intervention. Before the interventions began, the students completed three oral timed reading passages at the first-grade level by FASTbridge. This score was used as a baseline for the data. The intervention lasted for two weeks. The experimental group completed stories on the application EPIC! for 15 minutes each session, while the control group completed research based educational games with the researcher. Both were done in addition to …

Formative Assessment And Technology In The Mathematics Classroom, Albert Humes

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review investigates the use of formative assessment and technology in the classroom. There has been research to show that mathematics proficiency has dropped recently in the United States and researchers are looking to identify new strategies for student growth. Utilizing formative assessments, as well as targeted, immediate feedback for students, can help to improve student learning. As educational technology becomes more prevalent, more studies and research are focused around its effectiveness toward student achievement. The research found that formative assessment strategies, coupled with new technologies, can positively impact student achievement.

Technology Use In Early Childhood, Sandra Anderson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review examines the influence of technology on early childhood development. It uses scholarly journals and articles to show the benefits and risks of technology use and how it can be used to compliment growth, development, and learning of young children. It also examines how technology can impact the early childhood developmental domains of: (a) social emotional, (b) cognitive, (c) physical motor, (d) language and literacy, and (e) mathematics. The influence of technology use on teaching and the family are also addressed. Furthermore, this literature review includes implications for the future, continuing research, and recommendations from the American Academy …

Impact Of Technology Use On Early Childhood, Paige Davidson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Technology is something that has evolved immensely over the last 20 years and only continues to grow and change. Technology has affected early childhood education, in the home and classroom. This literature review explores the impact of technology use on young children, as well as how educators can support students learning using technology. The literature review will analyze how technology can positively affect student learning through increased collaboration, enhanced engagement, strengthened motivation and creativity. In addition, the literature review will explain how technology can improve academic skills, such as reading and math. Educators are the key facilitators for improving student …

The Negative Effects Of Technology For Students And Educators, Amanda Strom

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review analyzes over 30 peer reviewed, scholarly articles to find a correlation between technology use and the negative impacts it can have on students and educators. This review was able to determine that the overuse of technology can lead to negative health effects as well as impair student learning. With the rapid development of new technologies, educators are having a challenging time keeping up. Without proper training and support, educators are unable to incorporate technology tools and resources into their lessons effectively. Technologies are being used on a daily basis within the school systems, which has drastically increased …

Lessons Learned: What The Covid-19 Global Pandemic Has Taught Us About Teaching, Technology And Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jane Roitsch, Robert L. Moore, Annemarie Horn

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose. This paper examines the impact of the abrupt transition from attending school face-to-face to participating in online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by a parent of a student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Design/methodology/approach. A phone interview was conducted with the parent of a child with ASD. The semi-structured interview focused on how the child’s family was impacted when classes shifted to virtual from face-to-face learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings. Four themes emerged from the interview. Three of these included adjustments to changes in 1) routines and roles, 2) …

Stem Education In The Early Childhood Classroom, Julia Biagiotti

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This qualitative study focuses on the type of STEM education students are getting at the early childhood level (PK-2). Based on gaps found in literature, an interview protocol was created and six participants with various careers in the field of STEM education were interviewed. The research was concentrated on trying to determine what components of STEM education make it successful in the early childhood classroom. All of the interview responses were analyzed and coded and determined the results found below. A few integral parts of a successful STEM education seem to be curiosity, asking questions and a hands-on component, but …

Technology Leadership Qualities In Secondary School Principals In Nebraska Who Support Student-Led Social Media Teams, Jill M. Johnson

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study addresses secondary school principals in Nebraska who are dealing with the negative ramifications of their students’ social media interactions. To combat the problem, this study sought to identify the technology leadership qualities possessed by secondary school principals in Nebraska who support student-led social media teams. A purposeful sampling of six secondary school principals in Nebraska, who have all been practicing principals for at least three years, engaged in individual semi-structured interviews via Zoom in January 2021. The primary research question was: What technology leadership qualities are possessed by secondary school principals in Nebraska who support student-led social media …

Mathematics Education: Good, Bad, & Ugly, Katie L. Johnson

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A thought experiment centering around K-12 mathematics education, and the possible changes that may come about due to the use of technology and social learning.

The Effects Of Technology On Student Engagement And Academic Success, Austin Reese

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The prevalence of educational technology has grown exponentially over the last decade. As schools continually increase use of educational technology throughout the various classroom environments and settings, does educational technology actually increase student engagement and academic success? A multitude of research studies regarding educational technology use in various K-12 classroom settings were analyzed while writing this literature review. The research found various educational technologies and methods, when applied appropriately for differentiated populations, can be a contributing factor to yield increased student engagement and increased academic success.

Technology Instruction In The Classroom: Effects On Struggling Writers' Success, Courtney M. Smith

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Technology use within the writing classroom for writers who struggle can offer independence and lead to success. This literature review examines the use of technology with struggling writers, the effects of technology use of student engagement, specific strategies used for the implementation of technology, and the professional development opportunities presented to educators for this implementation. The research affirms the benefits of assistive technology within the writing classroom and the importance for the training of educators to properly utilize and engage technology within their classrooms promoting student success and achievement.

The Impacts Of One-To-One Technology On The Engagement And Achievement Of Middle School Students, Caleb Weathers

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review discusses the many effects, both positive and negative, of educational technology on 21st century students. The specific problem at hand is determining the true effects of this technology integration on students’ overall levels of academic engagement and achievement. More specifically, the purpose of this research is to determine the potential effects of technology integration on middle school students’ engagement and achievement. The review begins by examining the history of technology in education and how it has progressed over the years. Moving forward, the review then examines the perceived role of technology in education. From there, the review …

Uptodate Use As A Predictor Of Medical Student Success, Connor Buechler, Kurt Wendland, Jason Booza, Diane Levine

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background

Both practicing physicians and student learners prioritize speed of access and ease of use over most other criteria in choosing how to look up clinical information, with electronic resources far outpacing books for these reasons. While there are many variations of electronic reference materials available, UpToDate is one of, if not the most, frequently referenced clinical knowledge resources. It is professionally written and edited by practicing clinicians with frequent updates as new information or studies become available to inform care, allowing the learner to answer clinical questions rapidly, correctly, and fully. Given its proven popularity, the usefulness of UpToDate …

Teaching Mathematics Education Online: Instructional Theories, Strategies, And Technologies, Angie Hodge-Zickerman, Cindy S. York, Patrick R. Lowenthal

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This overview chapter provides an introduction to instructional theories, strategies, and technologies that can guide teachers new to teaching mathematics (both content and methods) online in a formal online classroom setting. We begin by discussing different types of online learning environments, including synchronous, asynchronous, bichronous, and HyFlex environments. We then focus on different theories, such as cognitive apprenticeship, individualized/personalized instruction, social learning, and inquiry-based mathematics education theories. After that, we focus on some common technologies and strategies, such as think/pair/share, student groups, whiteboards, discussion boards, and more that someone new to teaching mathematics teachers online may use to engage learners.

Technology And The (Re)Construction Of Law, Christian Sundquist

Articles

Innovative advancements in technology and artificial intelligence have created a unique opportunity to re-envision both legal education and the practice of law. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the technological disruption of both legal education and practice, as remote work, “Zoom” client meetings, virtual teaching, and online dispute resolution have become increasingly normalized. This essay explores how technological innovations in the coronavirus era are facilitating radical changes to our traditional adversarial system, the practice of law, and the very meaning of “legal knowledge.” It concludes with suggestions on how to reform legal education to better prepare our students for the emerging …

Blended Learning And Return To Learn Plan, Erin Lorch

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of the school improvement project was to determine the importance of blended learning, especially in relationship with the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on schools. An extensive review of literature on blended learning is provided, along with a comprehensive Return to Learn created by a task force from Sheldon High School, a public school located in Northwest Iowa. The task force was made up of leaders and administrators collaborated virtually and created plans for the next school year incorporated blended learning. The review of literature provided current research and potential strategies to implement technology. A comprehensive definition …