A National Survey of Teachers on Their Perceptions, Challenges, and Uses of Information and Communication Technology

This study had five main purposes: (a) to investigate the extent to which literacy teachers nationwide integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into literacy instruction; (b) to investigate the extent to which ICTs are utilized in ways that promote the acquisition of literacy skills within digital environments; (c) to identify the perceived obstacles and challenges teachers face in their attempts to integrate ICTs into instruction; (d) to determine how literacy teachers define ICT integration and how they perceive the importance of ICT integration into reading instruction; and (e) to identify the distinguishing characteristics of teachers who report no or minimal integration of ICTs in their literacy instruction when compared to teachers who report extensive integration. These issues were addressed using online survey methodology with a national sample of literacy teachers (n = 1442). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and regression analysis. Results indicated that: (a) literacy teachers use ICTs relatively little in instruction and with little variety; (b) they typically do not use ICTs in ways that enhance skills for reading in online environments; (c) lack of time, lack of equipment, and lack of professional development are major barriers to ICT integration; (d) a majority of teachers have an incomplete or narrow view of what constitutes ICT integration; and (e) professional development factors, teaching experience, beliefs about technology, technology skill, technology access and support, and perceived obstacles all predict teachers\u27 ICT use at statistically significant levels. Implications for professional development and educational policy are discussed

Could natural selection change the geographic range limits of light brown apple moth (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) in North America?

We artificially selected for increased freeze tolerance in the invasive light brown apple moth. Our results suggest that, by not accounting for adaptation to cold, current models of potential geographic distributions could underestimate the areas at risk of exposure to this species

Teachers’ Perceptions of Integrating Information and Communication Technologies Into Literacy Instruction: A National Survey in the United States

In this commentary, we argue that literacy research would be more productive if researchers had a clearer, more nuanced understanding of theory. Specifically, we argue that theory in a practice-oriented field is most fundamentally productive when it provides instrumental guidance for literacy beyond academic understanding about literacy. Premises for that argument are presented, as well as how productivity connects to an instrumental view of theory within the philosophy of science. We provide examples from authoritative sources and relevant studies suggesting that conceptions and uses of theory in literacy research are ambiguous, diffuse, and incoherent. We argue that productivity could be a unifying construct to ameliorate those limitations. To stimulate discussion about theory, we propose several ways that theorizing might be more productive. Those proposals comprise a critique of theorizing in the field and illustrate how more productive theorizing could close the gap between research and practice. Finally, we discuss how our proposals might be implemented in the field’s research

Our understanding of mutuality when reflecting on our values and experience of caring

In this paper we respond to the question: How can we gain a better understanding of our own values and where they come from, and how this has influenced our work together and in our interests in improving outcomes for carers? We evidence our claims to knowledge in responding to this question in the areas of: shared values and how we came to them; our learning through writing this paper; our ability to give to hope to others. In analysing our claims, we find areas of mutuality that we had not predicted. We subsequently analyse further to understand our relational dynamics and we introduce our readers to our living-theory of mutuality that emerges. This account provides guidance for a way of writing a collaborative paper that enables both authors' voices to be of equal value, recognising both the unique and the shared perspectives as a result of our shared methodological approach. Through the process of writing a dual-authored paper we show how our mutuality develops as an explanatory principle and a living standard of judgement (Laidlaw, 1996)

iPads as a Literacy Teaching Tool in Early Childhood

Considering the increased influence of digital technologies on daily life (Fallows, 2004) and young children’s increased use of interactive technologies (Children Now, 2007), early childhood educators are beginning to think about the role of technology in their classrooms. Many preschool programs are beginning to purchase iPads, or similar tablets, for classroom use. Thus, it is important to consider how iPads, or similar tablets, can be used in a developmentally appropriate manner with young children. To this end, this article describes the use of iPads in two preschool classrooms of four and five year-old children

A Look at Summer Reading Programs Across Iowa

The purpose of this document is to report on the state of summer reading programs in Iowa. This report was commissioned by the Iowa Reading Research Center to better understand the types of current summer reading programming and how summer programs are conducted and supported

Using Blogs to Promote Literary Response During Professional Development

(First paragraph) The blogging has, I don’t want to say forced, but kind of made me read books that I haven’t necessarily read before, and I don’t think I would have. I’ve read lots of children’s books just through student teaching and everything, but it makes me look outside the box and maybe at other genres that I wouldn’t look at necessarily. (Sam, a pre-service teacher, blogging in a children’s literature course

Mantras Ambulance Services, Inc. Case 2: A Buyer-Side Business Valuation Case

“2017 is going to be an exciting year for your company, Daniel! I just received the requested information from that company that you are interested in buying. I’ll forward the information to you by email attachment, and I will get started on the analysis.” Penny knew that her boss, Daniel, would be anxious to review and discuss the new information on a potential acquisition, so she cleared her desk off to focus on the analysis. Daniel Gustafson started his company, QRT Ambulance Services, Inc. in 2010. He wanted to quickly expand operations, so his business strategy was to buy existing companies in locations he wished to operate. To facilitate this process, Daniel hired Kim Wilson, a business broker. Kim was responsible for identifying and soliciting interested companies to evaluate preliminary financial information. She would then send the most promising companies to Daniel for further consideration. Mantras Ambulance Services, Inc. had been identified as a company that would meet the objectives that Daniel had previously identified to Kim. This case was prepared by the authors and is intended to be used as a basis for class discussion. The views represented here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society for Case Research. The views are based on professional judgment