Educational Technology Commons^™

Understanding The Present And Preparing For The Future In Collegiate Esports, Marc C. Dearmond

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

While esports continues to grow as a varsity sport across higher education campuses, new programs are being built focusing on esports as a field of study. However, more research is needed about how esports programs are being administered on college campuses and how these programs are being measured for success. This three-article dissertation focuses on esports at the collegiate and undergraduate levels. The first study is a literature review focused on topics of research available for reading assignments in an online program based on the esports ecosystem as defined by Anderson et al. (2018). It contains an examination of current …

Immersive Simulations In Tourism Education: A Case Study, Eric Hawkinson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This research employed a mixed-method case study approach to explore the experiences of participants in immersive tourism simulations within vocational tourism studies. Utilizing the ”My Hometown Project,” a virtual tourism platform, the study designed and deployed tourism simulations where groups of students guided guests through virtual tours, blending immersive technology with face-to-face interaction in the ”Future Hub,” an innovative immersive learning laboratory. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, collecting reports from groups post-simulation (Shared Immersive Experience Reports - SIER) for qualitative insights and administering post-simulation surveys to measure presence and motivation quantitatively. This approach aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of …

From Pages To Pixels: Library Workers’ Perceptions Of Power In The Digital Era, Sean Gaffney

Dissertations

This work explores how library workers experience power during the era of digital transformation. As libraries transition from traditional knowledge repositories to dynamic, technology-driven information centers, power structures within these institutions are undergoing significant change. Despite the extensive implementation of digital transformation initiatives, there is a critical gap in understanding how digitalization is impacting employees’ experiences of power within the library context.

Drawing on French and Raven’s Bases of Social Power model, this study investigates how digital tools, platforms, and processes influence how power is perceived among library workers and its distribution and sources. A qualitative survey study was conducted …

Empowering Learning Networks: Insights From Social Network Analysis In Inquiry-Based Discussions, Ayesha Sadaf, Larisa Olesova, Hajeen Choi

School of Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigated the dynamics of complex interactions within inquiry-based discussions by visualizing patterns using social network analysis. Researchers explored network measures when learners participated in inquiry-based discussions with Practical Inquiry Model (PIM) questions and non-PIM questions while playing the weekly moderator’s role. The findings revealed that at the group level, purposefully designed inquiry-based discussions can create fairly cohesive, evenly distributed, and proportionally consistent networks. Discussions featuring both PIM and non-PIM questions resulted in a moderate level of interaction, as learners adhered to the specified requirements for the number of responses. While discussions with non-PIM questions appeared more interactive with …

Use Of Assistive Technology By Teachers Of Students With Visual Impairments: A Descriptive Analysis, Paul M. Ajuwon, Ximena Uribe-Zarain, Phoebe Okungu, Nora Griffin-Shirley, The Nguyen

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

In schools, technology is used as a tool to enhance the knowledge and skills of learners with disabilities. The three primary challenges for students with visual impairments are access to information, independent travel, and a lack of meaningful experiences. Assistive Technology (AT) can mitigate these deficits. This study aims to determine the use of AT in schools. An online survey was distributed to schools in Canada, the United States, and adjoining territories; 347 teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) responded to the survey. The results explored the use of Refreshable Braille devices, Braille embossers, Braille Translation Software, Speech Access …

Elevating The Online Learners’ Experience By Cultivating Social Presence In The Online Learning Environment, Lori Doyle, Tanya M. Tarbutton

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The online learning environment does not inherently offer opportunities for learners to experience the benefits of enhanced social presence. The lack of social presence can negatively impact students, the primary group of stakeholders that influence institutional success. On the contrary, research on the Community of Inquiry model, specific to social presence, has been shown to pay positive dividends. There has been an increase in online course offerings; therefore, an intentional push toward elevating the online learning experience is worthy of consideration. Virtual learning environments, if not deliberately cultivated, may be void of authentic relationships and opportunities to connect. In the …

Ethical Intelligence: Responsible Ai Integration In Challenge-Based Learning, Seden Dogan

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The paper explores the ethical integration of AI in Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) within higher education. CBL fosters critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. AI enhances CBL by providing personalized learning, adaptive problem-solving, and real-time feedback. However, ethical concerns—such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, faculty roles, and governance—must be addressed. The paper proposes a framework for responsible AI integration, emphasizing inclusive access, data ethics, human-AI collaboration, governance, interdisciplinary co-design, iterative ethics, and digital literacy. AI can augment learning, improve scalability, and enhance faculty roles, but risks like inequity, over-reliance, and weak accountability must be mitigated. The framework ensures AI aligns …

Bridging The Digital Divide In Developing And Developed Countries: A Meta-Analysis, Jessie King, Eric Gotte

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

Global school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a universal shift towards technology-augmented education. This transference of learning platforms revealed both the potential and the challenges of implementing digital tools for learning worldwide. This meta-analysis examines the digital divide between developed and developing countries and how this divide disrupts the learning for students with disabilities, those living in poverty and extreme poverty as well as for those who live in remote areas. It concentrates on how technology has been used to surmount educational disparities, predominantly within the marginalized groups of students with disabilities, individuals in poverty, and those living in …

“Kematz'ib' Para Gritar” Innovative Technologies In Revitalizing The Mayan Languages: Empowering Youth Through Poetry - A Narrative Study, Héctor De Jesús Palala Martínez

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores innovative approaches to preserving and revitalizing the linguistic and cultural heritage of Mayan-speaking youth of Guatemalan descent in rural Nebraska. It delves into the intersection of technology, artistic expression, and cultural practices, emphasizing the revitalization of Mayan languages in Abya Yala (the Americas), particularly emphasizing the Guatemalan and the Mayan diasporas in Nebraska.

The research investigates the roles of digital humanities, culture-based education, and poetic expressions in language preservation/revitalization efforts among Mayan youth and unaccompanied minors in transnational educational settings. Central to the study is an academic initiative for transnational Mayan high school students integrating poetry and …

Taking A Closer Look At Tpack: Examining Teacher Perspectives Of The Knowledge, Competencies, And Context Needed For Improved Remote Education In Grades 4-8, Jennifer Christine Buth Bell

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Though wrought with challenges, the COVID-19 Pandemic, which led to the closure of schools worldwide and forced educators into a rapid transition from traditional to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT), held some promise for furthering the integration of digital technology in schools. But now, years following the crisis, policymakers, administrators, and teachers continue to grapple with how best to incorporate lessons learned and improve the future of teaching and learning in both traditional and remote settings. This mixed-methods study (n = 21; n = 6) followed an explanatory sequential design to collect and analyze data from a sample of 4th-8th …

Populations Digitally Excluded From Education: Issues, Factors, Contributions And Actions For Policy, Practice And Research In A Post-Pandemic Era, Don Passey, Jean Gabin Ntebutse, Manal Yazbak Abu Ahmad, Janet Cochrane, Simon Collin, Asmaa Ganayem, Elizabeth Langran, Sadaqat Mulla, Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo, Toshinori Saito, Miri Shonfeld, Saunand Somasi

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

This conceptual paper draws on a wide range of research and policy literature, providing a contemporary view of issues, factors and practices that affect education for digitally excluded populations. Concern for how education for digitally excluded populations can be supported is focal to this paper, with different sections offering key related perspectives. From an analysis of issues, factors and practices, actions for policy, practice and research are identified. Given a key finding that power issues can have major effects on plans, implementation processes and outcomes when addressing needs of education for digitally excluded populations, the paper concludes by offering frameworks …

Examining The Adoption Of Digital Transformation Initiatives In Higher Education Institutions: A Mixed-Methods Investigation Of Employee Perceptions And Decision-Making Processes, Donald Behneman

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Digital transformation refers to the strategic integration of innovative technologies, which include mobile devices, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, to name a few. These digital technologies weave into business processes to drastically enhance and ultimately improve the customer experience, optimize operational efficiency, or forge new revenue streams (Beach, 2021). This mixed-methods study investigated the dynamics of digital transformation in higher education from the perspective of information technology professionals. There were four primary research questions: • Research Question 1 (RQ1): Does one or more demographic factor predict an employee’s level of decision-making in higher education as it relates to digital transformation? …

The Shift: Web 2.0 Tools And Learner Engagement From The Teacher Perspective, Deig Aaron Sandoval

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 epidemic has altered the educational technology landscape and made Web 2.0 tools' potential for online instruction more apparent. This study uses the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) paradigm to examine teachers’ perceptions of Web 2.0 tools and online learning. The study aims to investigate and advance the expanding body of research on teachers' perceptions of Web 2.0 tools' potential to increase student participation in the classroom. The research questions examine how ready instructors are to utilize Web 2.0 tools, how they feel about using them, how perceived behavioral control variables affect their intents, and how subjective norms …

Online Learning Communities And Secondary Educators' Tech-Enhanced Instructional Practices: A Correlational Study, Oscar R. Carrera

Theses and Dissertations

This correlational study investigated how secondary educators' engagement in online learning communities relates to their tech-enhanced instructional practices, a relationship that gained importance following the COVID-19 pandemic's acceleration of educational technology adoption. Through the lens of Keller's ARCS Model of Motivation (Keller, 1987) and demographic analysis, the research examined three key aspects: the relationship between community engagement and tech-enhanced instructional practices, demographic predictors of engagement, and correlations between ARCS motivational components and engagement. Data collected through a cross-sectional survey of 115 secondary educators revealed a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between engagement in online learning communities and tech-enhanced instructional practices. …

Enhancing Educator Technology Skills In The Digital Age: A Comparative Analysis Of Video And Screenshot Microlesson Professional Development, Brittni Knebel Kalich

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined video and screenshot microlesson formats as a technology professional development for enhancing educators’ technology skills. As educators face increasing demands for technology proficiency in the twenty-first century classroom, this study was conducted to help address a need for further investigation into whether screenshot or video microlessons can serve as effective PD tools for teachers (Bowman, Vongkulluksn, Jiang, and Xie, 2020). Using a comparative design, this study evaluated three groups: one receiving video microlessons, another receiving screenshot-based microlessons, and a control group receiving no lesson. Data were collected through post test scores (multiple choice questions), a Likert-scale survey, …

Understanding Social Media As A Communicative Tool To Facilitate Critical Discourse: Using #Blackgirlmagic To Explore How Black Women In Higher Education “Talk Back", Crystal Spruill Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have engaged through social media platforms, as a mechanism to uplift their embodiment, despite being relegated to the margins. The hashtag #BlackGirlMagic (BGM) is linked to narratives of Black women in higher education that are empowering and problematic. The development of the popular social media movement during a time when Black women were being portrayed negatively made engaging in the discourse "talking back" possible. This study explores the lived experiences of Black women college students and recent graduates, using currere as an analytical tool for my own communication journals entries as a data source to structure my reflections …

Exploring 3rd-8th Grade Teachers’ Conceptions Of The Nwea Map Assessment And The Relationship On Grade Level, Content Area, And Students’ Academic Growth, Dymphna Jewelle Canales

Theses and Dissertations

In education, assessment helps shape teaching practices and student outcomes, as it influences how teachers perceive their roles, approach instruction, and engage with students. This study investigated 3rd-8th grade English Language Arts and mathematics teachers' conceptions of the NWEA MAP Growth assessment, focusing on four key factors: (1) improvement for teaching and learning, (2) school accountability, (3) student accountability, and (4) assessment irrelevance. The research examined the relationship between teachers' conceptions and variables such as grade levels, content areas, and students' academic growth as measured by NWEA MAP scores. Using a descriptive correlational design, data were collected from 61 teachers …

An Analysis Of Security Risks Posed By Text-Based Generative Ai And Corporate Security Weaknesses Leading To Data Leaks, Tashya Rakshana Byreddy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Generative AI (GenAI) has become a fundamental part of modern life, influencing how we work, learn, and interact with technology. This project focuses specifically on text-based GenAI, which is widely used for tasks such as information gathering, code improvement, and content creation. Despite its benefits, it presents significant security risks that are often underestimated by users. This project investigates these risks and the corporate security gaps that lead to unintentional data leaks. The project also provides a brief overview of Large Language Models (LLMs), which are based on the deep learning technique known as Transformer architecture, used for performing …

Stem Teacher Perceptions In East Tennessee About Using Artificial Intelligence In Classroom Operations, David Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the perceptions of Secondary STEM Teachers in rural East Tennessee about Artificial Intelligence instructional use. The researcher examined secondary STEM teachers' positive attitudes toward AI, challenges of using AI in the classroom, educators' confidence in using AI, and perceived benefits of AI. The participants of this study were located throughout East Tennessee, and had to self-identify as a 6-12 STEM teacher teaching in a rural district. The data were collected through Google Forms and the link to respond was posted in two different Facebook groups for distribution. The survey included 16 …

Understanding How Social Media Influences Student Engagement Within The Classroom: Middle Grades Students' Perspectives., Anthony Dawyne Myrks-Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the concept of student engagement and participation through the lens of middle school students. Studies and research show that overall student engagement amongst middle school-aged students is the most unengaged period throughout students' K-12 educational journey. Today's students live in a completely different generation from their guardians and parents due to the technology component, including smartphones making the element of social media more accessible. Social media is a platform that helps people communicate through various applications, and middle school students engage and participate in various social media applications daily. Student engagement is a critical component within education …

Behind The Screen: Exploring Parental Roles In K-12 Online Education, Barbara T. Sandberg, Charles R. Graham, Jered Borup, Richard E. West, Rocio Quiroga Velasquez

Faculty Publications

Independent engagement can be challenging for K-12 online students. Parents’ physical presence makes them an important source of engagement support. Previous research on parental support in online courses is limited and focused on asynchronous learning within a single program. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online enrollments have grown and instructional modalities have evolved. To better understand parental support post-Covid, we interviewed 21 parents across eight online programs with asynchronous, synchronous, and bichronous course offerings. Parents identified their affective, behavioral, cognitive, and other support roles. Implications for parental roles in addressing the academic engagement gap are provided to both researchers and practitioners.

A Qualitative Study Of Iranian Efl Teachers’ Perceptions Of A Digital Diversified Education, Seyed Mohammad Reza Marvasti Zadeh, Azizollah Dabaghi Varnosfadrani Advarnosfadrani, Mohammad Amiryousefi

The Qualitative Report

Because Iran is a country of learners of diverse languages, socio-economic classes, genders, and ages, digital diversified education seems appropriate to address needs in English language education. However, there is a notable gap in research on teachers’ perceptions about this type of education. To fill this gap, this study aimed to investigate the perspectives of Iranian teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) regarding a diverse digital education. Data were collected via an open-ended survey with 30 EFL teachers, both male and female, who were selected through convenience sampling. Analysis revealed several key themes, including the utilization of diverse …

Data Security In The Apple Ecosystem: An Evaluation, Kayrene Woods

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of data security within the Apple ecosystem, focusing on the company’s privacy policies, user perceptions, and the effectiveness of its App Store review processes. Employing an interdisciplinary methodology, the research examines Apple’s commitment to data protection, emphasizing transparency and user trust. A survey of user experiences revealed varying levels of engagement and understanding of Apple’s privacy practices, with only 32.8% of respondents having read the Privacy Policy and mixed opinions on its clarity. Additionally, concerns persist about third-party app security, with 39.7% of users expressing apprehension and skepticism about Apple’s App Store review process. …

Effectiveness Of Virtual Reality Training Environments, Lindsay Kristina Gouedy

Doctoral Dissertations

As technology has evolved so has training methodology in many applied fields. Training of aviation professionals is adapting by including technology features that allow for safer and less costly training methods. Pilot training is expensive given the number of flight hours and all that is included in the cost of flying an airplane. The main goal of this project is to assess the efficacy of the use of virtual reality environments as a valid training tool. Based on our literature review, we hypothesized that trainees perform simulated flight tasks more efficiently, with fewer errors, when trained using VR technology. The …

Aviateok: A Stem App To Increase K-12 Student Engagement In The Aviation And Aerospace Industry, Irene Miller, Amy Rutledge, Timm Bliss

Journal of Extension

STEM industries are driving technological and economic growth across the globe. To remain competitive, the U.S. needs to focus on the advancement of STEM education and develop a sustainable pipeline to provide a well-qualified workforce to STEM-related industries. The Department of Aviation and Space Education (AVED) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) has developed aviateOK, which is a STEM application, to provide aviation/aerospace content to students, parents, and extension educators. The aviateOK STEM application promotes extension education by providing access to free activities and resources for grades K-12. AviateOK equips 4-H youth programs with the resources needed for extension educators to …

Transformative Interactions: Chatgpt’S Role In Facilitating Professional Development Among Vietnamese English As A Foreign Language Teachers, Thi Thuy Tran, Trut Thuy Pham, Thanh Thao Le

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: This study delved into the integration of ChatGPT as a medium for English teacher professional development among Vietnamese English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers.

Methods: Rooted in the Constructivist Learning Theory and the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, the qualitative exploration employed semi-structured interviews with nine teachers categorized into novice, mid-career, and near-end career stages. The objective was to understand teacher experiences, perceptions, and insights regarding the role of ChatGPT in their professional journey.

Results: Key findings illuminated that ChatGPT facilitated enhanced personalized learning, bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical application, and even indirectly spurred …

Experiencing Ai: Learning Through Exploration, Nicole Mishnick, Dana Wise

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

The strategy of experiencing AI is centered around AI exploration and reflection in a doctoral-level technology course. Throughout the course, students were encouraged to use AI to complete assignments. However, they were also asked to critically reflect on the impact of AI use on their academic development and understanding of the coursework. Through discussion, reflection, and exploration, students learned to navigate the complexities of AI in a way that aligns with academic values and professional expectations.

Generational Differences And Teacher Burnout In The Post-Pandemic Era, Michelin Springer

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intricate relationship between generational cohorts and the efficacy of technology integration in the context of teacher burnout, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As educators transitioned from virtual online instruction back to blended or traditional face-to-face learning environments, this study explored teachers’ sense of technological efficacy in adopting and integrating various technological strategies and its relationship with their experiences of burnout during these shifts. Additionally, this study examined how different generational groups may experience teacher burnout and report their efficacy in technology integration in the post-pandemic context. Surveys which …

Using Chatgpt For The Acquisition Of Computational Thinking Skills: A Case Of African Indigenous Games, Dick Ng’Ambi, Mohamed A. Mitwally, Mwewa Peter, Oluwaseun Oyekola

The African Journal of Information Systems

This paper proposes using a ChatGPT-generated algorithm for an indigenous game to mediate the acquisition of computational thinking skills. The paper seeks to answer the question: How can the ChatGPT-mediated algorithm for indigenous games foster the acquisition of computational thinking skills? Using a Participatory Action Research approach, 19 collaborators from 11 African countries gathered 185 indigenous games. The paper focuses on one of those games that is played in all 11 countries. The paper concludes that involving collaborators, who are indigenous members of their communities and have experiential knowledge of the game, led to their acquisition of computational thinking skills.

Engaging Students With Pocketlab Interactive Mobile Technology In A Science Classroom: A Mixed Methods Study, Olha Ketsman, Juan A. Colon Santana

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

This mixed methods study explored the impact of PocketLab interactive mobile sensors on science content knowledge among undergraduate students in an algebra-based physics laboratory course. The study also examined students' perspectives and experiences using PocketLab to learn class concepts. While no statistically significant differences were found between the control and treatment groups for items evaluating definitions and conceptual mastery, the control group outperformed the treatment group on problem-solving items. This difference may be due to the alignment of traditional Vernier technology experiments with the analytical problem-solving approach emphasized in lectures. Despite this, students using PocketLab reported greater flexibility and …