Educational Technology Commons^™

Designing Teacher Preparation Courses: Integrating Mobile Technology, Program Standards, And Course Outcomes, Serena Hicks, Devshikha Bose

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

This discussion paper demonstrates the need for applying backwards design principles to already-existing course syllabi in order to embed technology alongside pedagogy in teacher preparation programs. The problem is first addressed as a need to integrate technology in one secondary course based on lack of proficiency demonstrated on multiple measures. A design framework that was implemented is then explained, including a step-by-step process for aligning mobile technology applications to course standards and outcomes. Challenges to the process are explored, as well as supports available for duplicating this work in other contexts. The paper concludes with steps the instructor is now …

Faculty Perceptions Of Online Teaching At A Mid-Sized Liberal Arts University In The Pacific Northwest: A Mixed Methods Study, Dana Shreaves

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Faculty resistance to online teaching is a problem that can affect institutions looking to increase online learning options for students. Prior research has identified a number of encouraging and discouraging factors that may affect faculty motivation to teach online. Given limited institutional resources, it would be difficult for an institution to address all of the factors identified in prior research. Furthermore, faculty at liberal arts colleges have not been studied as a specific population of interest in prior research. Therefore, to increase acceptance and participation in online teaching at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), this study employed a convergent, parallel mixed-methods …

Does Class Size Matter?: An Exploration Into Faculty Perceptions Of Teaching High-Enrollment Online Courses, Patrick R. Lowenthal, Rob Nyland, Eulho Jung, Joanna C. Dunlap, Jennifer Kepka

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Class size has been a popular topic for decades. There is renewed interest in this topic now with the growth of online learning. Online courses can accommodate hundreds, if not thousands, of students in a single course. Very little research, though, has been conducted recently on class size in online courses and the research that has been conducted is mixed. As the demand for online courses increases, so likely will class size. In this exploratory study, we investigated the perceptions and experiences of 37 faculty teaching high-enrollment online courses. In the following article, we report the results of our inquiry, …

Personalized Professional Learning Experiences And Teacher Self-Efficacy For Integrating Technology In K-12 Classrooms, Allison Barsnica Hall

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The studies in this dissertation were designed to develop an understanding of the impact of personalized professional learning experiences for K-12 teachers. These studies took place in a large, preK-12, public school district in the Southwest region of the United States. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology, these studies measured the growth of teachers’ perceptions of their ability to work with technology tools and their self-efficacy towards integrating technology purposefully to improve the learning experiences of their students, as well as delving into the personal experiences of select teachers in the program. The Core Conceptual Framework for teacher …

Using A Multifaceted Robotics-Based Intervention To Increase Student Interest In Stem And Computational Thinking Skills, Mary Alice Hudson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact of a robotics-based intervention on elementary-aged students’ interest in STEM subjects and careers and development of computational thinking skills. Previous research suggests educational robotics programs integrate a wide array of skills projected to be essential for success in the workforce of the future. The current research was motivated by two research questions: (1) What is the impact of a robotics-based intervention on elementary-aged students’ interest in STEM subjects and careers? (2) What is the impact of a robotics-based intervention on elementary-aged students' computational thinking skills? To answer these questions, action research was used to examine …

Predicting Teacher Usage Of Learning Games In Classrooms, Joseph M. Waarvik

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses a problem of ambiguity in academic writing regarding whether learning games are underutilized in educational settings, what type of educators use learning games, and what factors are the most important in predicting educator usage. The purpose of the study is to clarify and explain the current state of educator usage of learning games in these areas in order to inform designers of educator professional development. There are two well-known frameworks that can be used to understand learning game integration by educators: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework. This study uses …

Using The Technology Acceptance Model To Determine Student Perception Of Elearning Readiness In Kazakhstan, Anthony Ray Hetrick

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Researchers widely accept the technology acceptance model (TAM) to determine behavioral intention that leads to actual technology use. However, researchers are advised to exercise caution when applying TAM to different cultural contexts. This study used TAM to assess the readiness of students to engage in elearning in Kazakhstan, which is classified as a developing nation. This project then compared the results of the TAM analysis of student perceptions of a learning management system (LMS) to elearning studies in developed countries to ascertain if the determinants are the same. This study determined that TAM was unpredictable, and that perceived ease of …

Faculty Perceptions Of Smartphones And Smartphone Integration In Faculty Development And The Classroom: A Case Study, Jeanna R. Cronk

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the perceptions of university faculty on the integration of smartphones in faculty development programs. The literature on higher education smartphone integrations has focused almost exclusively on individual courses or mobile learning implementations limited to pre-service teacher education departments. Current practice indicates that faculty are electing to use smartphones for their own professional learning. This study advances our understanding of faculty perceptions, outside of education departments, to provide insight for faculty developers designing programs that incorporate smartphones by addressing the following research questions: (1) What are faculty perceptions of smartphones? (2) How are faculty using smartphone technologies for …

Review Of Educational Technology: Closing The Gap Between Modern Technology And The College Engineering Classroom, David Pinkerton, Krishna Pakala

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper aggregates information from past and current studies regarding the implementation of technology in engineering classrooms and identifies the most promising ideas, technologies, and techniques. This paper provides insight into best practices for implementing technologies to improve the education of engineering students. This paper provides recommendations to adopt non-traditional teaching methods. Educational tools and techniques are evaluated on the basis of: Adoption and Assimilation, Access, Community, Intellectual Presence, Student Perception, and Development of Social and Professional Skills. Best practices are highlighted with descriptions of the technologies and techniques that were found most promising.

The Seven Layers Of Complexity Of Recommender Systems For Children In Educational Contexts, Emiliana Murgia, Monica Landoni, Theo Huibers, Jerry Alan Fails, Maria Soledad Pera

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Recommender systems (RS) in their majority focus on an average target user: adults. We argue that for non-traditional populations in specific contexts, the task is not as straightforward–we must look beyond existing recommendation algorithms, premises for interface design, and standard evaluation metrics and frameworks. We explore the complexity of RS in an educational context for which young children are the target audience. The aim of this position paper is to spell out, label, and organize the specific layers of complexity observed in this context.

How Emotional Self-Control Relates To It Mindfulness And Technostress In Students, Amy J. Connolly, Daniel Rush

IT and Supply Chain Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Students in IT-intensive courses such as Introduction to MIS must learn new technologies in a short amount of time, similar to self-directed knowledge workers in a company. Technostress reduces employee performance, engagement and satisfaction, but how does it affect business students? Although emotional intelligence has profound effects on student outcomes, its relationship with technostress and IT mindfulness is unexplored. Instructors cannot design effective theoretically-based interventions without understanding the underlying problems that students are experiencing. To address this gap, this paper reviews current literature on these concepts and presents a research model to explore the effects of these relationships in business …

Pushing The Boundaries Of Participatory Design With Children With Special Needs, Jerry Alan Fails

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite its inherent challenges, participatory design (PD) has unique benefits when designing technology for children, especially children with special needs. Researchers have developed a multitude of PD approaches to accommodate specific populations. However, a lack of understanding of the appropriateness of existing approaches across contexts presents a challenge for PD researchers. This workshop will provide an opportunity for PD researchers to exchange and reflect on their experiences of designing with children with special needs. We aim to identify, synthesize and collate PD best practices across contexts and participant groups.

Here, There, And Everywhere: Building A Scaffolding For Children’S Learning Through Recommendations, Ashlee Milton, Emiliana Murgia, Monica Landoni, Theo Huibers, Maria Soledad Pera

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Reading and literacy are on the decline among children. This is compounded by the fact that children have trouble with the discovery of resources that are appropriate, diverse, and appealing. With technology becoming an evermore presence in children’s lives, tools that can minimize choice overload and ease access to online resources become a must. A powerful but underutilized tool in regards to children that could assist in this situation is a recommender system (RS). We posit that RS could be used to impact children’s learning, using them to not only suggest what children might like but what they need in …

Knowledge-Sharing And Virtual Community Of Practice Potential In The Uscg’S Afloat Community: A Qualitative Case Study, Lisa Rodman

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) may provide the afloat community of the USCG greater opportunities for learning and professional development. The affordances of virtual engagement, including increased access to learning and peer feedback may enhance interaction and opportunities for the development and refinement of professional expertise. Although the specific learning needs and constraints of this community, including geographic separation and dynamic deployment schedules, appear well-aligned with VCoP structure and objectives, it is critical that the knowledge-sharing culture of the USCG’s afloat community be thoroughly explored before pursuing any form of performance and learning intervention. Grounded in Lave and Wenger’s (1991) …

The Administration Of Online Programs In Statewide Systems: A Case Study Of The University System Of New Hampshire, Christopher Lynn Labelle

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Enrollments in postsecondary online programs have grown over the years. As enrollments have grown, postsecondary institutions have experimented with different ways to administer their online programs. In many cases, institutions have shifted to a more centralized business model that consolidates the governance of their online programs under a single high-level institutional officer (Legon & Garrett, 2017). However, even as more colleges and universities prioritize the administration of online programming and dedicate staffing and resources to administer those programs, there is very little research focused on the best way to administer online programs in four-year public statewide systems.

Given this gap …

How Teachers May Influence The Impact Of Computer Adaptive Instruction: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Implementing Lexia Core5 In Second-Grade Classrooms, Scott G. Woolstenhulme

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

School districts across the country have been adopting computer adaptive instructional programs as early reading interventions. It is imperative to learn whether CAI has an effect on student reading gains and what other factors may influence its effect. This mixed methods study employed an explanatory sequential design to first evaluate the reading gains of 2^nd grade students. An independent samples t test showed that 2^nd grade students in 2017 who participated in the Lexia Core5 reading intervention program for at least 30 hours had significantly higher gains than their peers in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 school years. …

The Design And Implementation Outcome Of An Online Undergraduate Thermodynamics Class, Dazhi Yang, Krishna Pakala

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Online learning is not common for most undergraduate core engineering courses. However, the growing need for online engineering courses necessitates the design and delivery of online courses that can allow for the flexibility and convenience the distance learning experiences can offer. Thermodynamics is among the most difficult engineering subjects to teach, especially online, where instructors are unable to demonstrate the overwhelming number of equations and applications as they would in face-to-face lectures. This paper describes the design and development of an online, undergraduate thermodynamics class. It reports the implementation outcome of student final course grade and the students’ learning experience …

Faculty Teaching Faculty: A Model Of Professional Development For Mobile Learning Integration In Higher Education, Devshikha Bose, Lana Grover

University Author Recognition Bibliography: 2017

The purpose of this study was to document faculty perceptions on the impact of an instructional designer supported, faculty peer instruction model of professional development. The aim of the study was to identify how this faculty development model impacts course design, assessment strategies, and the integration of mobile technology in teaching and learning. Data was collected during a three-day mobile learning, professional development program, via pre and post survey and a focus group meeting. Results indicate that faculty benefited positively from their experience. Faculty reported that they learned methods for integrating mobile learning into their course design and gained knowledge …

Integrating Mobile Devices Into The Classroom: A Qualitative Case Study Of A Faculty Learning Community, Devshikha Bose, Patrick R. Lowenthal

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite the pedagogic affordances of mobile devices, many instructors are not prepared to effectively integrate them into their courses. “Western State University” has developed a program to support faculty in the innovative use of mobile devices in the classroom. This qualitative case study documents instructors’ experiences and perceptions of integrating mobile devices in their courses. Themes under investigation were the impact of mobile devices on teaching practice, student learning, and course learning outcomes. Results indicate that instructors used mobile devices to create content, communicate, store, and share information. Assignments were modified to take advantage of mobile devices, digital fluency was …

Learner Perceptions On The Use Of Mobile Learning Strategies And Devices For Team E-Portfolio Content Creation, Devshikha Bose, Krishna Pakala

University Author Recognition Bibliography: 2014

This study intended to determine student perceptions on the efficacy of using mobile learning strategies and devices to create electronic content for inclusion in an engineering team/group e-portfolio. Sixty four students from an undergraduate engineering thermodynamics class, created multimedia videos and produced content demonstrating course content summaries, problem solving techniques, and written work on concept question solutions. Results from a post course completion anonymous survey and focus group meeting indicated that the majority of the students found this to be a very useful exercise in learning, communicating with their instructor, completing homework and assignments as well as to prepare for …

Research And History Of Policies In K-12 Online And Blended Learning, Kerry Rice

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This chapter provides a historical review of U. S. education policy from its earliest inception to the present day with a focus on policy developments in the 21st century that have influenced the growth and development of online and blended education and those that we can foresee will have the greatest impact moving forward. 21st century policies are synthesized into themes of Online and Distance Learning, Accountability, Innovation and Reform, and Teacher Preparation.