Western Pacific Teachers’ Perceptions of Implementing Technology in the Classroom

At a Western Pacific Region school district with six public high schools, district administrators implemented an educational technology training program (ETTP) to improve technology integration in the classroom as measured by the Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool, but there was no follow-up to determine how the teachers perceived the ETTP and to identify the experiences of teachers related to instructional technology after taking the district training. This basic qualitative study, guided by the technology acceptance model, addressed this problem in the district by exploring how the teachers perceived the technology professional development program provided by the district and the teachers’ experiences related to instructional technology after taking the district training. The purposeful sample included 13 Western Pacific Region high school teachers who were interviewed via Zoom. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to create codes, categories, and themes. The participants perceived the ETTP as helpful because they learned new tools and increased their confidence in using technology in their classrooms. Results showed that after completing the ETTP, teachers still needed content-specific technology training and continuous professional development. High school teachers expressed the need for these trainings to continue integrating technology using up-to-date technology tools. Rethinking science professional development is one potential form of social change.

Integrated Support of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities

This chapter outlines the integrated approach to support children and young adults diagnosed with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this context, the authors, first, discuss the legislative background providing legal basis for the disability support in educational environments. They, further, address psychological and neurological aspects of learning disabilities and ASD diagnostics and consider how legislative and neurological issues influence special education methods, counseling, and instructional technology support. The educational tools addressed include mobile devices and applications, virtual reality, and robotics. The chapter concludes with a report on the development of college-level course in instructional technology, intended for technology facilitators and teachers working with the ASD students. The case study focuses primarily on the use of the affordable and popular LEGO robots. The holistic approach to support of those with disabilities, outlined in the chapter, combines educational leadership issues, psychological and job counseling, special education methods, and instructional technology.

Investigating K-12 Pre-Service Teacher TPACK in Instructional Technology Learning

This study investigated the change in pre-service teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) self-efficacy beliefs in a technology integration course in a teacher education program. It assessed knowledge components that predicted TPACK self-efficacy beliefs. Pre and post-surveys were administered using Schmidt et al. (2009) instrument at the beginning and end of the course. The study revealed statistically significant change in all dimensions of TPACK self-efficacy beliefs. Cohen’s effect size revealed medium effect size on TPACK self-efficacy beliefs during the pre-service teacher education technology integration course. PCK and TPK were the significant predictors of TPACK in both pre and post-survey report. Content Knowledge (CK) was a significant predictor of TPACK in the post-survey. The result implies that instructional technology courses should pay attention to the factors affecting TPACK during curriculum design and course delivery. In the current research context CK, PCK and TPK predicted TPACK. TK and PK can be mediated by TPK and PCK respectively.

Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers: OER and Active Learning in Mathematics

This article will discuss how open educational resources and instructional technology are used to support student academic success and continuous faculty pedagogical development, as well as reduce barriers to access at an R1 university. This article uses case examples from two instructors from a Mathematics and Computational Sciences department who are using open educational resources and instructional technology as part of an inclusive active learning pedagogy. The first case study is from an integral calculus course and the second case study is from a discrete mathematics course. The article highlights the role of the educational developer in providing pedagogical and technological support to the faculty. The support the educational developer provides is framed by an inclusive pedagogy that foregrounds access and accessibility. Future considerations provided in the article highlight the need for connections and collaborations supported through a Teaching and Learning Collaboration with an emphasis on active learning, classroom training, and open educational resources to create more pedagogically comprehensive and inclusive learning environments.

A Content Analysis Study for Instructional Technology Themed TUBITAK Projects

The purpose of this research, themed Education Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) content analysis of the instructional technology projects, is to make an assessment of the situation. The data of the research were collected through document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, and subjected to descriptive and content analysis. As a result of the research: when considering the distribution by years, the most projects are seen in 2015 and 2017. Considering the disciplines in which the projects take place, it is evident that they are mostly in the field of Information Technologies. When we consider the result regarding the level of the schools involved in the teaching-themed projects, the highest number was seen in the projects that included primary and secondary schools.

Design Learning Environment Based on ISTE Standards

The study aimed to design learning environment based on ISTE standards for students and computer science educators. For answering the questions of the study, the researchers adopted the descriptive approach, they Identified the ISTE standards and analyzed the content of instructional technology course based on ISTE standards for students and for computer science educators, then they designed learning environment based on this standard. The sample of the study consists of all students enrolled for an instructional technology course at the first semester 2017 in faculty of education in the Islamic University; the tool of the study was a content analysis to analyze and design the learning environment based on ISTE standards. The study recommended Integrate ISTE standards in academic preparation programs for teachers of faculty of education and Hold training courses for students and teachers in universities to introduce ISTE standards, and motivate teachers and students to embrace these standards.