Rationale for and Examples of Internet-Based, Software, and Hardware Technologies That Can Be Integrated into the Science Classroom

The global market and workplace today demand knowledge and skills associated with technology. More often than not the responsibility to provide students with the exposure to technology is left up to the classroom teachers, whether or not the teachers themselves are experienced with it. The natural intersection of science and technology is a recognized element of science education in 21st century classrooms. This thesis project presents some of the more accessible forms of technology to understand and offer assistance to both pre-service and in-service teachers as well as suggested methods for integrating technology in a science classroom. While technology integration can be straightforward, teachers still need introduction to and experience with its implementation. It is suggested that teacher preparation programs devote time in analyzing current curriculum and teaching practices for ways to incorporate more opportunities for intentional partnerships of science and technology. Some of the recommendations culled from the research analysis, specifically directed to science teachers, includes suggestions for teacher education programs on incorporating technology requirements into standard education classes, developing technology-specific mini how-to classes that on website development and podcast creation, and courses that involve both the introduction to and the use of handheld computers and probeware. (Appendices list instructional websites created for teachers; some with a direct science focus.

Modelos de integración didáctica de las TIC en el aula

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de un estudio que analizó el grado y tipo de utilización que el profesorado hace de las TIC en aulas con abundante disponibilidad de tecnologías de la información y comunicación: un ordenador por alumno, Pizarra Digital Interactiva, proyectores multimedia y acceso a Internet. El objetivo del estudio fue detectar modelos o patrones de uso didáctico de las tecnologías y relacionarlo con algunas características personales y profesionales del profesorado, tales como el género, los años de experiencia, la etapa educativa, la competencia digital y el grado de uso de las TIC en su vida cotidiana. Se empleó un diseño de tipo descriptivo correlacional basado en un estudio de encuesta donde respondieron más de 3.160 profesores de toda España que participaban en el Programa Escuela 2.0. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que existen dos tipologías nítidas de modelos de uso de las TIC en función de la frecuencia y el tipo de tarea demandada al alumnado: un modelo de integración didáctica débil frente a un modelo de integración didáctica intensa de las TIC. Asimismo, se concluye que el perfil del profesorado que desarrolla un modelo de uso didáctico intensivo de las TIC es un docente con bastantes años de experiencia profesional, ciudadano usuario habitual de las TIC y que, además, se percibe suficientemente formado y con competencia digitalWe present in this paper the results of a study analyzing the scope and use that teachers make of ICT in classrooms and schools with abundant availability of information and communication technologies: one computer per student, interactive whiteboards, multimedia projectors and internet access. The main goal of this study is to detect models or patterns of educational use of ICT resources available in classrooms related to some personal and professional characteristics of the teachers that took part in the study, such as gender, years of experience, educational stage, digital competence and degree of use of ICT in their daily lives. A descriptive correlational design based on a survey study answered by over 3160 teachers from all over Spain who participated in the School Program 2.0 was used. The results show two clear different patterns of ICT use according to frequency and type of tasks assigned to the students: a weak integration-teaching model against a strong educational integration of ICTs. We come to the conclusion that teachers who develop a model of intensive educational use of ICTs are teachers with many years of professional experience, that make regular use of ICTs and, moreover, perceive themselves as sufficiently trained and with a highly developed digital competenc

Models of educational integration of ICTs in the classroom = Modelos de integración didáctica de las TIC en el aula

We present in this paper the results of a study analyzing the scope and use that teachers make of ICT in classrooms and schools with abundant availability of information and communication technologies: one computer per student, interactive whiteboards, multimedia projectors and internet access. The main goal of this study is to detect models or patterns of educational use of ICT resources available in classrooms related to some personal and professional characteristics of the teachers that took part in the study, such as gender, years of experience, educational stage, digital competence and degree of use of ICT in their daily lives. A descriptive correlational design based on a survey study answered by over 3160 teachers from all over Spain who participated in the School Program 2.0 was used. The results show two clear different patterns of ICT use according to frequency and type of tasks assigned to the students: a weak integration-teaching model against a strong educational integration of ICTs. We come to the conclusion that teachers who develop a model of intensive educational use of ICTs are teachers with many years of professional experience, that make regular use of ICTs and, moreover, perceive themselves as sufficiently trained and with a highly developed digital competence

A Mixed Methods Case Study of the Levels of Interactive Whiteboard Use by K-12 Teachers

The growing presence of educational technology in our nation\u27s K-12 schools has had little effect on teacher practices to enhance student learning (Once, Delialioglu, & Brown, 2008). Sophisticated levels of educational technology use are believed to influence student learning (Hall, Loucks, Rutherford, & Newlove, 1975) yet research on effective levels of use is almost non-existent. The Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) assesses a teacher\u27s level of educational technology use across eight stages, ranging from the lowest level of nonuse to the most sophisticated level where the teacher\u27s technology implementation utilizes instructional strategies to support knowledge building, reflection, and goal setting. Prior studies indicate that higher CBAM levels are linked to enhanced pedagogical change and increased positive attitudes for teachers (Hutchison & Reinking, 2011; Lee, 2010), as well as more effective instructional strategies and collaborative classrooms (Hall et al., 1975; Somekh et al., 2007). Instructional settings incorporating these success elements also show equal conversation from both teachers and students (Beauchamp & Kennewell, 2010), the analysis of which can be facilitated with the Flanders Interaction Analysis Matrix (Flanders, 1961b). Guided by the Concerns-Based Adoption Model and modified Flanders Interactive Analysis Categories, this study explored the use of Interactive Whiteboards in one school district of 427 K-12 teachers. Approximately one-half the district\u27s classroom teachers completed a three-part survey which collected demographic data, assessed attitudes toward Interactive Whiteboards, and determined a self-reported level of technology use in their classrooms. Results show that despite positive attitudes, the district\u27s teachers use Interactive Whiteboards at a level that does not yet consider student achievement. Observations of 23 classroom teachers in the same district validated the survey findings

Teaching with the interactive whiteboard – How to enhance teaching vocabulary to primary children aged 8 and 9”

The integration of information technology (ICT) into primary classrooms is increasingly crucial for engaging and stimulating digital young learners who are in daily contact with technology. In 2005 Bahrain Ministry of Education started King Hamad Future Schools Project which aimed to adopt the interactive whiteboard (IWB) in all government schools. However, there has not yet been any study that investigates the utilization of this technology in English language teaching either in primary or in intermediate and secondary schools. This thesis studies the employment and effectiveness of IWB in teaching English vocabulary to 104 young learners and their attitude and perception towards its use in their learning. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, through questionnaire, language tests and classroom observations. The questionnaire and the observation results indicated that IWB is highly rated and preferred by the participating young learners. Three themes emerged from observation. The first theme is the IWB impact on children as learners which entails its influence on the children’s interaction, their learning, and their behaviour; the second theme is the impact of IWB on pedagogy; this involves the use of IWB multimedia, its presentational mode of range, and the use of games. The third and final theme is the IWB’s interactional affordances that include the teachers and the pupils’ use and control of the interactive board and the IWB’s effects on the lesson’s space. The analysis of the vocabulary tests has shown a positive impact on the learning of English vocabulary which was reflected by the pupils’ test results. As the study was conducted in Bahrain and on limited number of young learners, its results are limited and cannot be generalised

Factors Shaping the Uptake of ICT in Science Classrooms. A Study of a Large-Scale Introduction of Interactive Whiteboards and Computers

This paper characterizes how science teachers use technology in secondary school lessons, with a special focus on Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs), laptops and Digital Textbooks (DTs). This study also analyses how previous professional development or training may influence the way in which teachers use technology in their subsequent practice, as well as some possible relations with their perceptions. A total of 94 teachers from 69 secondary schools in Catalonia (Spain) were surveyed. Responses were collected and analysed combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Participants’ answers reveal the predominance of the use of IWBs and teachers’ computers, with scarce variety of uses, mostly aimed at supporting teacher-centred practices. Students’ participation in the use of these devices was low, calling into question the possible educational changes in science education. Although most teachers’ training in the use of technology seems to have caused little impact on their subsequent practices, some less frequent training approaches, such as training based on real examples, seems more effective in terms of changing teachers’ utilization of technology

The Impact of Teacher Attitudes on Technology Use During Instruction

This collective, instrumental case study measured the impact of attitudes on the amount of time technology was used by three Algebra 2 teachers. The Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) served as the theoretical framework. Data was collected through pre-observational surveys, classroom observations, and stimulated recall interviews. When common attitudes were discovered in participants, the amount of time that they used technology differed. Regarding the impact of attitudes on the amount of time spent using technology, results were mixed. In some instances attitudes had a profound influence, but in other circumstances they had none. There were cases where obstacles prevented the participants from using technology. Therefore, elements besides attitudes should be considered when determining why people neglect employing technology

Bringing Nordic mathematics education into the future : Preceedings of Norma 20 : The ninth Nordic conference on mathematics education Oslo, 2021

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Bringing Nordic mathematics education into the future : Preceedings of Norma 20 : The ninth Nordic conference on mathematics education Oslo, 2021

This volume presents Nordic mathematics education research, which will be presented at the Ninth Nordic Conference on Mathematics Education, NORMA 20, in Oslo, Norway, in June 2021. The theme of NORMA 20 regards what it takes or means to bring Nordic mathematics education into the future, highlighting that mathematics education is continuous and represents stability just as much as change.publishedVersio

Teaching and learning with technology: how the best teacher education programs are preparing preservice teachers

This study explored the utilization of best practices surrounding content and delivery strategies for educational technology preparation of undergraduate preservice teachers within some of the top public U. S. institutions of higher education (IHEs). This study was needed due to the changing nature of technology, a critical need to better prepare preservice teachers, and mixed opinions on what should be included in their preparation. The respondents were representatives from 11 NCATE-accredited, public IHEs. The 54 participants included deans, teacher educators, librarians, instructional technology staff, and department heads. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, surveys with selection and open-ended questions, and course syllabi related to technology. Data were analyzed using content analysis to review and code the documents, interview data, and survey data, which included constructing categories. The constant comparative method was used to determine emerging themes. Results revealed that the responding IHEs are preparing undergraduate preservice teachers to implement technology in their future classrooms both within and beyond required educational technology courses and that they are using many best practices and strategies as presented in the research literature and standards. However, only one of the 11 IHEs reported preservice teachers were required to take a technology course concurrently with a methods course, considered to be an important practice. Technology sandboxes were reported to be an effective way for preservice teachers to explore and learn about emerging digital tools, and meeting the challenge of the ever-changing nature of technology. Respondents reported challenges surrounding technology integration including a deadline to meet revised accreditation standards in spring 2016 as IHEs transition from NCATE to CAEP standards (CAEP, 2013). This study found IHEs are still facing historical challenges, such as varying technology dispositions among teacher educators, inservice teachers, preservice teachers, and institutional constraints. Some of the solutions to these challenges included the use of consultants to work with teacher educators and inservice teachers and preparation using digital tools outside of the required technology course. Implications of the results are discussed relative to the reported solutions of the IHEs, despite past and new challenges surrounding undergraduate technology preparation