Education Commons^™

Rural Teacher Attitudes And Engagement With Computing And Technology, Melissa P. Mendenhall, Colby Tofel-Grehl, David Feldon

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

The purpose of this sequential Case Study-Mixed Methods research is to explore rural teacher attitudes toward, approaches to, and engagement with making and computational thinking during STEM professional development and co-teaching learning experiences. Specifically, we examine the professional learning needs of two rural, middle school teachers as they engage technology. Using the lens of cultural historical activity theory, this paper examines the ways in which teacher attitude about computing shifted throughout professional learning and instructional practice. Findings show three broad themes that emerge surrounding teacher attitudes, approaches, and engagement with technology: Anxiety, Independent Learner, and Integration. Additionally, findings suggest that …

Connecting Inquiry, Research, And Technology: The Multigenre Digital Inquiry Project, Marla K. Robertson, Amy Piotrowski, Jennifer M. Smith

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

This article describes research on a Multigenre Digital Inquiry Project (MDIP), a technology-infused project designed to provide an opportunity for students to inquire about a topic of interest and share their research using 21st century technologies. Instead of composing a research paper or literature review, students designed a website with pieces written in multiple genres to share their learning, including at least two pieces created using digital tools. In this article, the authors share the design of the MDIP and how it was implemented in three teacher education courses. Data analysis aimed to understand how pre-service teachers engaged in this …

Integration Of Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math Into A Food And Nutrition Curriculum In Utah, Cathy A. Merrill, Becki G. Lawver

Applied Sciences, Technology and Education Faculty Publications

In 2014, Family and Consumer Sciences teachers in Utah revised the Food and Nutrition Sciences curriculum to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)‐related content. This study is a needs assessment of the state implementation of the STEM‐enhanced curriculum in 2015–2016. A Borich needs assessment model was used to analyze mean weighted discrepancy scores between teacher‐perceived levels of importance and teacher‐perceived competence for each objective in the new curriculum. The results showed that although teachers felt moderately competent to teach the new curriculum, the highest ranked need for professional development was in Standard 1: Kitchen Safety Procedures and Sanitation. Professional …

The Money Mentors Program: Increasing Financial Literacy In Utah Youths, Zurishaddai A. Garcia, Dave Francis, Amanda Christensen, Stacey S. Macarthur, Margie Memmott, Paul A. Hill

All Current Publications

Utah 4-H and Fidelity Investments collaborated on a program for increasing the financial literacy of teens and children. The collaboration resulted in positive impacts for both Extension and Utah youths. Extension benefited through partnership with a corporation that provided content expertise, volunteers, and funding for a financial literacy program. Youths benefited from improved financial literacy. A Teens Reaching Youth (TRY) team approach was used for the training of 81 teens, who then taught 530 youths statewide. The curriculum addressed research-based financial concepts through activities and technologies that were interactive, appealing, and engaging. The program development and implementation processes may serve …

Perspectives On The Use Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Related Mobile Apps: Results From A Survey Of Students And Professionals, Benjamin G. Pierce, Michael P. Twohig, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Although mobile apps have proliferated as self-help or adjunctive therapy supports, scant research has explored their implementation among mental health practitioners. Little is known about uses and perceptions of mental health apps among applied practitioners, nor are agreed-upon criteria for evaluating and choosing apps available. The present survey study examined the uses and perceptions of mental health apps among 356 professionals and students familiar with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as indicated by being a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. The survey found that practitioners are interested in using ACT-related apps, but that use of and familiarity …

More Than Just Plain Old Technology Adoption: Understanding Variations In Teachers' Use Of An Online Planning Tool, Heather Leary, Victor R. Lee, Mimi Recker

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper examines variability in teachers’ usage patterns as they interacted with an online teacher support tool, the Curriculum Customization Service (CCS), as part of their professional work. The CCS is a web application that supports teachers in planning, adapting, sequencing, and enacting differentiated instruction in Earth science education. By mining the usage log files of over 40 teachers who used the CCS over a yearlong period, we analyzed for variability using a framework developed in marketing research to characterize appropriation of technology. This analysis helped reveal different kinds of teachers’ patterns along two dimensions: frequency and variability of use. …

Knowing And Learning With Technology (And On Wheels!): An Introduction To The Special Issue, Victor R. Lee

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

This special issue of Technology, Knowledge and Learning is dedicated to bicycles and computing. Yes, you read that correctly. The theme of the issue is really and truly bicycles and computing.

Learning Mathematics With Technology: The Influence Of Virtual Manipulatives On Different Achievement Groups, Patricia S. Moyer-Packenham, J. M. Suh

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

This study examined the influence of virtual manipulatives on different achievement groups during a teaching experiment in four fifth-grade classrooms. During a two-week unit focusing on two rational number concepts (fraction equivalence and fraction addition with unlike denominators) one low achieving, two average achieving, and one high achieving group participated in two instructional treatments (three groups used virtual manipulatives and one group used physical manipulatives). Data sources included pre- and post-tests of students’ mathematical content knowledge and videotapes of classroom sessions. Results of paired samples t-tests examining the three groups using virtual manipulatives indicated a statistically significant overall gain following …

A Self-Study Of Virtual Teaching: Making The Leap From Distance Face-To-Face To Wimba Technology, Susan A. Turner

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

How do I best make the shift from teaching a graduate course currently using distance face-to-face technology to WIMBA technology?

Inst4010 - Principles And Practices Of Technology, Spring 2008, Kurt Johnson

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

This course is designed to provide pre-service teachers with a working knowledge of instructional technology and the application of technology to the teaching/learning process.

Inst7870 - Data Visualization Theory & Practice, Fall 2006, Brett Shelton

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

In this course you will explore the question of what visualization is, and why you should use visualizations for quantitative data. In doing so, you will address theoretical concepts and examine case studies that show the importance of effective visualizations in real world settings.

You will also look at how to interpret meanings in visualizations. Elements of cognitive science theory are addressed, and you will practice techniques to help with your interpretations. An additional objective will center on how to create meaning with your own visualizations, then examine appropriate forms for representation and also review design considerations.

In the lab …

Inst5270 - Flash, Fall 2006, Andrew Walker

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

This course uses Flash 8/Actionscript 2.0. You may also be interested in INST 5245, which uses Flash CS3 (Flash 9)/Actionscript 3.0.

This course familiarizes students with Macromedia Flash. Topics to be covered include fundamental programming concepts (variables, variable types, code re-use, commenting code, and basic control structures) in addition to the fundamentals of the flash environment (animation or “tweening”, vector graphics, use of sound and video). Students finishing this course will have at least one completed fully functional Flash project for their portfolios demonstrating a strong knowledge of the tool and a good foundation in the ActionScript language as the …

The Distant Exploration Of Wolves: Using Technology To Explore Student Questions About Wolves, Todd Campbell

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Inst5280 - Blogs, Wikis, New Media For Learning, Spring 2006, David Wiley

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

Innovation continues to occur on the internet at an extremely lively pace. What was once the realm of email, FTP, Gopher, and the Web is barely recognizable a mere 10 years later. Keeping up with the speed of innovation and maintaining a familiarity with the most recent tools and capabilities is handy in some professions and absolutely critical in others. This course is designed to help you understand and effectively use a variety of "web 2.0" technologies including blogs, RSS, wikis, social bookmarking tools, photo sharing tools, mapping tools, audio and video podcasts, and screencasts.

Inst7150 - Advanced Topics In Learning Object Design And Reuse, Fall 2005, David Wiley

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

This course is designed to help you understand and apply advanced topics in the design, creation, and reuse of learning objects. The course is structured around a practical, hands-on project using learning objects, intermingled with readings and discussion on a variety of topics.

Inst5400 - Computer Applications For Instruction And Training, Spring 2005, Brett Shelton

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

Introduction to basic computer applications on a Macintosh computer, with special emphasis on software that may be used in instruction and training. In this course, students will orient themselves to the Macintosh environment, get a brief overview of Macintosh-specific software, and learn the fundamental basics of the following tools available to assist in instruction and training: PowerPoint, Photoshop, GoLive, and iMovie.

If you wish to complete the assignments, you will need the following programs:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe GoLive

Apple iMovie

Inst7870 - Instructional Games, Spring 2005, Brett Shelton

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

The goal of this course is to explore the field of instructional gaming through a survey of readings, existing products, and those in development.

National Center For Engineering And Technology Education, C. Hailey, T. Erekson, Kurt Henry Becker, M. Thomas

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

The article reports that the overall impact of the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE) is to strengthen the nation's capacity to deliver effective engineering and technology education in the K-12 schools. Further, it informs that the National Science Foundation established the Centers for Learning and Teaching (CLT) program to address needs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The CLT program has three goals, based upon stated national needs. First, CLT are expected to renew and diversify the cadre of national leaders in STEM education. The CLT includes partners with strengths in engineering and in …

Inst7150 - Understanding Online Interaction, Spring 2005, David Wiley

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

This course is designed to provide an introductory level of understanding of the manner in which individuals interact with one another via the network. Possession of this understanding is absolutely critical to your ability to design effective learning environments on the network. This course takes an immersion approach to helping you develop your understanding by requiring you to make extensive, reflective use of several representative interactive media. You will also read several representative pieces of writing in each area.

Inst5240 - Producing Distance Education Resources, Spring 2005, Mimi Recker

Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences - OCW

This course focuses on the production of resources (broadly interpreted) for use in online education (including formal and informal settings). In particular, the course focuses on Internet-based tools and technologies, and how they are developed and applied for use in online learning.

Technical Requirements: Dreamweaver 8 or MX, File Transfer Software (FTP), WinZip or Equivalent

Technology For Care Networks Of Elders, Sunny Consolvo, Peter Roessler, Brett E. Shelton, Anthony Lamarca, Bill Schilit, Sarah Bly

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Computer-supported coordinated care uses technology to aid the network of people who support an elder living at home. The authors conducted interviews with people involved in the care of elders to identify their needs and subsequently conducted an in situ evaluation of a technology probe to study how a CSCC system might help satisfy these needs. The authors used these results to identify challenges faced by people caring for elders and offer guidelines for designers of coordinated care technologies.

Constructivism And The Use Of Technology, Kurt Becker

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Thai Students' Attitudes And Concepts Of Technology, Kurt Henry Becker, Somchai Maunsaiyat

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Of the eight major programs mentioned in Thailand's Eighth National Education Development Plan (1997-2001), one is aimed at developing human capability in the areas of science and technology. This is to address the fact that the teaching of technology in Thailand is lagging behind the technological changes of the last decade. Part of this reform effort is the development of conceptual based learning activities in science and technology for 12 to 15-year old students. These concepts are being introduced through the offering of a subject at the high school level. de Klerk Wolters (1989) indicated learning the concepts of technology …

Teaching Mathematics With Technology: Reflecting On Our Progress And Looking Ahead, Patricia S. Moyer-Packenham

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.