TEACHER DISPOSITIONS AS PREDICTORS OF TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION: A CHANGING TIDE

Technology initiatives are becoming commonplace in the U.S. Although technology is widespread, its use by teachers is not always clear. This study addressed teacher dispositions to predict classroom technology integration for a public district in the Southwest United States. A modification of the Teacher Attribute Survey was given to 250 pre-k through 12th-grade teachers, examining teacher self-efficacy, teacher philosophy, openness to change, and classroom technology use. Results showed technology use was significantly related to hours of professional development and willingness to continue graduate courses with no incentive. Implications suggest a shift from teachers learning the technology toward needing resources for implementation.

IEngage: Using Technology to Enhance Students’ Engagement in a Large Classroom

<p class="JLDAbstract">This paper aims to answer how we can increase students’ engagement in a large class. We hypothesised that the use of KeyPad, an interactive student response system, can lead to enhanced student engagement in a large classroom. We tested a model of classroom technology integration enhancing the students’ engagement among first year undergraduate students (n=131). This study provides evidence of significant effect of positive attitude and social pressure on the intent to use KeyPads. In turn, the intent to use KeyPads leads to the actual use of KeyPads which is directly associated with the level of student engagement. In addition, we find evidence for the relationship between extraversion and level of engagement such that compared to extrovert students, introvert students felt more engaged.</p>

Today's university students and their need to connect

Higher education is rapidly changing and university instructors are presented with new types of students for whom technology is a significant influence. They perceive technology as a way of life and express a need to feel connected at all times. With increasingly diverse university classroom, technology integration is both a challenge and an opportunity. Supportive communication is important in the promotion of relationships and essential in a university classroom. A convenience sample of 390 students was surveyed to investigate the perceived influences of technology on relationships, including preferences, usage and time with technologies. Results indicated that technology makes communication easier, allows students to stay in touch with more people, and have relationships that would otherwise not be possible. Implications of this study suggest positive influences of technology on academic work, performance and maintenance of relationships, but disadvantages such as increased stress, addictive feelings toward technologies, and increased misunderstandings in relationships and conflict.