Educational Technology Commons^™

Aligning Technology And Language Arts Standards, Catherine A. Feldmann

Graduate Research Papers

The standards of language arts and technology blend fluidly to provide for an optimal learning environment. Language Arts teachers and students of all levels can gain significantly from the incorporation of multimedia software into the curriculum. Educators demonstrate responsible teaching when the initiative is taken to incorporate these otherwise separate areas together. Multimedia provides for an additional method for students to obtain, demonstrate, and share information. The use of technology into all curricular areas helps to develop life skills that are considered necessities in many jobs today.

Enhancing Student Achievement In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom Using Computer-Based Instruction, Anne Nedved

Graduate Research Papers

Computer-based instruction (CBI) is one tool that has enhanced curriculum to meet individual learning needs and enable students to succeed in the mathematics classroom. CBI creates an environment centered on individualized, flexible learning where students can be more self-directed and independent.

The importance of this review is to cite specific research and studies to determine the effectiveness of such computer-based applications in the mathematics classroom in relation to student achievement and professional development. The most productive and positive integration of CBI in terms of student achievement and motivation in the classroom was due to the professional development and training of …

Teachers And Technology : Encouraging Teachers To Integrate Technology Into The Curriculum, Diane Roethler

Graduate Research Papers

Technology is one path in preparing students to enter the working world. In response to this important role, the International Society for Technology in Education has created technology standards for students and teachers to promote change in teaching and learning practices. A study done by Apple Computer identifies how far teachers are in the integration of technology to meet these standards.

When teachers' levels and concerns are identified, programs help teachers overcome their computer concerns, such as not having enough time, right equipment, or knowledge. Teachers also need to frequently practice what they have learned. In this time period, follow-up …

Minimizing The Effects Of The Digital Divide, Trevor Walker

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper reviews the differences between technology deployment in affluent school districts as well as low-income districts. The attempt to bridge the digital divide is challenging to individuals, communities, and society at large. Students with limited or no access to computers are falling behind in developing skills that are needed in college and in the job market. The research cited in this paper addresses the existence of a divide, describes the affects of teacher philosophies and behaviors in urban school settings, suggests instructional strategies to train teachers, and provides factors that contribute to the Digital Divide as well as …

A Review Of Online Career Services In The Twenty-First Century, Marsha Yvette Saddler

Graduate Research Papers

The need to examine and explore the status of career services online is not only timely, but necessary in the ever-changing technology movement that has affected the very culture of student affairs in American higher education. The purpose of this paper is to accomplish that task by providing a synopsis of research gathered from three main categories of online career services, and to discuss how using the Internet to deliver these services can enhance the career development of college students.

Developing A K-12 District Technology Plan, Greg Reese

Graduate Research Papers

Educational Technologies and technology integration into the curriculum have become hot topics in educational institutions and legislature across the country. Schools are scrambling to buy computers, install networks, buy software, and connect to the Internet. This interest in technology is rooted in various places: pressure from the state legislature and federal government, the business community, and parents in the district who see technology as necessary for their child's success (Lockwood, 1999).

Intime Video Field Production And Editing, Jennifer Mohlis Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

The Integrating New Technologies into the Methods of Education (InTime) project is a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The main function of this grant is to produce and deliver videos, via the Internet, of teachers using technology with their students. The target audience is pre-service and practicing teachers.

In order to capture on tape real teachers in real classrooms with real students, many things need to be considered. Determining what activities and teachers must be included in the project, which elements of the model are to be illustrated, and how to facilitate access to the videos and lesson …

A Social Studies/Science Technology Project Manual For Upper Elementary Educators In The Dubuque Community School District, Jenny M. Kress

Graduate Research Papers

In the last five years, the Dubuque Community School District's technology infrastructure has grown tenfold. With the implementation of a district-wide networked computer system also came growing expectations for classroom teachers to provide technological opportunities for students (Dubuque Community School District, 2001). With the administration's eagerness to bring Dubuque's students into the information world, teachers have not been provided with any technology curriculum or manuals on how to incorporate computer projects into their lessons. This graduate research project was developed to give the classroom teacher a means to provide these technological opportunities in a very systematic and step-by-step manner. The …

The Use Of Electronic Technologies In The Cedar Rapids Community Schools' Physical Education Programs, Nicholaus J. Daniel

Graduate Research Papers

How often is electronic technology used in physical education programs? How much electronic technology is available to physical education programs? Does electronic technology and physical education go together? When most people think of electronic technology, they do not think about physical education. Most people tend to think that technology is anything related to a desktop or laptop computer, something you sit down at and work on, not something that involves being physical.

From the researcher's experience in the Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD), there is some pressure for all subject areas to implement and integrate electronic technologies into the …

Fifth Grade Website: Improving Leaming Through The Use Of The Web, Brent Thiessen

Graduate Research Papers

The Internet has improved the way that information can be presented to students in an educational setting. Teachers have taken advantage of improving education through the Internet by creating their own websites. However, some of these websites are not created in a way that allows them to be used effectively by students .. The author of this paper has created a website that will be used with his fifth grade students entitled The Fifth Grade Website (http://homepage.mac.com/brthiessen). The goal of the website is to enhance the educational experience of the students who use it. The website was designed in a …

Removing Dust Bunnies And Expensive Paperweights From The Classroom : Effective Staff Development In Educational Technology, Margaret F. Krzywicki

Graduate Research Papers

With major funding directed toward putting technology in the classroom and training students to be tomorrow's workers, there needs to be an effective technology staff development program in place for the teachers. Developers of staff development programs need to include the learning style of adult learners (andragogy), instead of pedagogy. Successful staff development for the teachers must include innovation, release time, and quality equipment. The learning styles of adult learners should be foremost in the development of courses and workshops. Staff development is more than just the technical side of the technology. It should provide teachers with the tools to …

Technology Staff Development, Paul A. Rabara

Graduate Research Papers

Traditional staff development does not suffice for emerging technologies and evolving pedagogy for teacher use of technology in instruction. Societal changes have produced new needs. Change causes a need to systematically look at progress and the attributes associated with the diffusion of innovations (Rogers, 1995). Roswell (1997) is only one of several schools who have dedicated considerable resources to developing a technology staff development plan with results in higher percentages of teachers using technology in the classroom. Technology staff development should have characteristics in models that coincide with the attributes of diffusion. Technology staff development can bridge the use and …

Linking The Literacy Curriculum With Technology, Scot J. Surprenant

Graduate Research Papers

Evaluating the process and needs of linking literacy and technology in the educational setting. The technology is presented as the driving force of change in the literacy. Teachers, administrators, and parents need to formulate a plan for training sessions along with organizing supportive people around them to integrate technology into the curriculum. They need to design professional development to empower teachers to use technology, in the curriculum. Understanding that students are exposed to multimedia literacy, technology will be a medium to motivate and synthesize learning. Teachers facilitate students to be responsible and empowered learners for their own learning. There is …

Second Language Learning With Computer Software, Sonia Uppal

Graduate Research Papers

This article addresses diversity in the classrooms and the need for technology for English language learners. Language acquisition and English language learning are overviewed with highlights of the different stages in language learning and various methods used for language. Integrating the role of technology in learning English as a second language is presented as a practical way in which to instruct English language learners. However, selection of software is seen as a critical aspect of effectively using technology for English language instruction. Various important aspects for evaluating a software program for English language learners are presented. A software evaluation form …

Dvd Technology For Educational Purposes, Donald J. Devore

Graduate Research Papers

This review of literature is about the technology of the Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). Provided is a brief overview of information in the area of DVD technology world, the evolution of DVD technology, areas that have enhanced educational advancement, and directions to be explored.

How To Develop And Design A Webquest, Amy Neville

Graduate Research Papers

This review will help to solve the problem of not knowing how to develop and design a WebQuest. A WebQuest is "an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation" (Dodge, 2001, p. 1). They help teach research skills using the Internet. By learning how to write a WebQuest, an educator would be able to integrate one into his/her …

Designing A Web Page To Facilitate Communication, Lori B. Lee

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this action research project was to build a teacher-controlled web page that would facilitate communication between home, community, and school. The web site contained information about administration, athletics (including schedules), honor roll and awards, faculty and staff information, advisor/advisee programs, academic information with assignments, special events, and students of the week.

Twenty-three seventh grade parents volunteered to respond to surveys about their communication with the staff at the Nashua-Plainfield Middle School and the implementation of the middle school web site.

The response by the parents indicated that they liked the monthly news, information on assignments, and athletic …

The Effects Of Using Computer-Assisted Learning To Teach Multiplication, Brian Unruh

Graduate Research Papers

This case study investigated the effects of using computer-assisted learning (CAL) while teaching multiplication facts to 32 third-graders. This quasi-experimental study spanned a six-week period and was analyzed using a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Among these qualitative techniques were participant observation and formal and informal interviews. The quantitative component included document analysis of three separate instruments. This study demonstrated a low correlation between the use of CAL and recall skills. However, students felt comfortable and enthusiastic working with the computer. In addition to the excitement, students felt significantly more confident and successful using the computer. There was evidence …

Utilizing The Classroom Computer In A Special Education Setting To Facilitate Cooperative Learning: A Case Study Using Kidpix, Audrey Dieken

Graduate Research Papers

Collaboration and cooperative teaching methods have been researched since the late 70's. The research indicates students will learn from each other given the proper environment and tools. In this study, six elementary students were evaluated to examine the effects of teaching individual tasks to students and observing the students for collaboration between partners. Two students were placed side-by-side at one computer and observed by an undergraduate researcher.

The results of the observations report the students were engaged in the activity of KidPix 60-l 00% of the time. All of the students were able to complete the tasks over 95% of …

Microsoft Word Basic Skills Workshop, Rui Wu

Graduate Research Papers

This project is an instructional lesson. The purpose to develop this workshop is to teach Chinese college students Microsoft Word (Office 97) basic skills through distance learning. The author uses distance education basic principles as this project's foundation to create a workshop site and participants. It will include the brief history of distance education, the definition and concepts of distance education, some major advantages and limitations of distance education, lesson plan, needs analysis, workshop goal and objectives, methodology, media selection, and project evaluation (includes learners and lesson's evaluation). It encloses eight appendixes also. At meanwhile, the author will create a …

Integrating "Kindergarten Technology Activities" Into The Kindergarten Classroom, Tania Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

This graduate project outlines how technology was integrated into a kindergarten classroom using the activities from" Kindergarten Technology Activities." The activities were tested during the 2000-2001 school year with a kindergarten class of fifteen students. The project gives a brief description of the activities, how effective the activities were, and what modifications may need to be made.

After any revisions, the activities will be shared with the other members of the kindergarten team for the following school year. These activities will improve the use of technology with the kindergarten students. The teachers will gain knowledge of additional technology activities that …

The Design Of Web Sites With Quality User Interface, Amery L. Moultry

Graduate Research Papers

Usability engineering focuses on how well Web sites are structured. Many designers are unaware of the diversity of usability engineering and what it can offer the developer in efforts to produce a usable Web site. Three researchers in the field, Borges, Morales, and Rodriquez (1998), have created a style guide of content, which recommends essentials for user-friendly Web sites. They included in their list Common Look and Feel (CL&F), Information Display, Navigation, and Labels. This research paper goes through the steps it took to create a quality Web site using the style guides of the noted researchers.

An Integrated Technology Project In One Iowa Middle School, Beverly R. Nielsen

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to determine whether implementing an integrated technology project at Columbus Middle School in the Columbus Community, Iowa School District would have any positive learning effects on the eighth grade students. Secondly, the research set out to determine if there are advantages to integrating technology into middle school curriculum. Finally, the purpose of the research was to find selection criteria for an integrated technology project for the middle grades. After selection and implementation, the project was evaluated through teacher observations and student self-evaluations. Both evaluations indicated that this integrated technology project had positive learning effects …

Web-Based Portfolios In Higher Education, Marilyn Murphy

Graduate Research Papers

Portfolios offer an authentic means of assessment for higher education. The management of paper portfolios, however, is problematic,. Electronic portfolios solve many of the problems associated with paper portfolios and offer several added benefits. Making electronic portfolios accessible on the World Wide Web is advantageous for faculty, students, and employers. The problems associated with web-based portfolios are generally manageable.

Fundamental Design Considerations For Creating Web Pages, Damon Staker

Graduate Research Papers

Fundamental Design Considerations for Creating Web Pages is a graduate review paper that was written to increase awareness of the proper use of design principles and web page layout in designing school web sites. This was written in response to the increase of poorly designed web sites that are difficult to read and understand because of the use of improper text and text size, distracting backgrounds, and color combinations that do not match. Information is given as to what design considerations and background information is needed to create a web site. The use of tables and frames is compared along …

Case Study : The Kjef Student Video News, John Kennedy Wickham

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact and effectiveness of a student video news project that was initiated in the fall of 1998 as the result of receiving a McElroy Trust Fund grant. A secondary purpose was to determine whether the student video news production was more effective than the traditional approach where the principal used the public address system. Three questionnaires were used to solicit input from school staff and students. The staff was surveyed in the spring of 1999 and 2000 whereas students were surveyed in December 1999 after one year of production. Results were …

What Is The Significance Of Online Technology As A Training Tool, Thomas Clifton Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the current directions and future trends of using online sources and activities as a tool for learning. It concentrates on the developmental progress of the most powerful force shaping the evolution of this technology: the Internet. As we enter the 21st Century, online training is becoming the dominant educational technology. The Internet has succeeded in removing the time and space barriers to online multimedia instruction.

Technology Integration : Comparing Technology Integration Kofu Middle School To Des Moines Public School, Catie Seeley

Graduate Research Papers

Based on two years of experience teaching in the Kofu middle schools and ten years teaching in Des Moines Public Schools, this paper compares technology integration between Kofu, Japan middle schools and Des Moines, Iowa middle schools. For over twenty years the two cities have enjoyed a strong sister city relationship, participating in many annual cultural exchanges including a teacher exchange. Five Des Moines educators teach English in all the Kofu middle schools for one school year. Over the years attempts to create web based or electronic cultural exchanges have met with limited success.

This paper examines the current technology …

Developing And Managing An E-Business, Stephanie Tekippe

Graduate Research Papers

Papa Bear Acres created its first e-business in the fall of 1999. Stephanie TeKippe designed and currently manages the web sites, which are operational. Creating a successful e-business on the Internet is not an easy task, but a complicated and tedious one. Rudi, an Internet marketing specialist, stated ( 1999) "Over 94% of all online small businesses are currently losing money"(p.1-2). Papa Bear Acres was created to become a booming presence on the Internet. The process of making this a reality has been slower and more time consuming than anticipated. There are many various aspects to creating a successful e-business. …

Technology In Education : Is It Working?, Daryl Hartwig

Graduate Research Papers

Presents an overview of determining if implementation of technology into classrooms of schools is a significant factor in the increase in student learning. Results in technology assessments as well as the comparing and contrasting of traditional learning versus constructivist learning by ways of technology are closely examined. Successful guidelines for the implementation of technology into classrooms are also discussed in showing their important relationship in the enhancement of student learning. The end results are that there is much evidence which proves that the integration of technology into the classroom of schools is advantageous and therefore draws upon the conclusion that …