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1 – 10 of over 155000Mohamed Melwani, Lee Yong Tay and Cher Ping Lim
This chapter reports on an ethnographic case study of how a group of elementary school teachers designed technology enhanced learning with mobile technology (e.g. notebooks…
Abstract
This chapter reports on an ethnographic case study of how a group of elementary school teachers designed technology enhanced learning with mobile technology (e.g. notebooks, tablet computers and mobile phones) to facilitate students’ development of literacy and twenty-first century competencies. These teachers designed the school’s literacy pedagogical approach, leveraging the use of technology, namely digital storytelling. The school in this case study is one of the eight Future Schools in Singapore under the FutureSchools@Singapore program. The school has been providing one-to-one mobile computing learning devices and wireless Internet access for its students. The introduction of technology in the classroom makes it possible for twenty-first century competencies to be integrated into literacy development. The conversational framework is used as a framework to examine how the design of the digital storytelling pedagogical approach brings about the various teaching–learning activities – acquisition, inquiry, practice, production, discussion and collaboration. The use of digital storytelling as an approach to integrate information communication technology (ICT) into the classroom has not only modified how ICT is being used in the school, it has redefined how ICT could be used to engage young learners. It has fundamentally transformed conventional storytelling with the use of current state-of-the-shelf (i.e. easily and widely available) technologies. This case study also outlines the processes involved in improving the design of digital storytelling over the years by the teachers. The ecosystem of the school is also taken into consideration and described in detail. Findings suggest the importance of the collaborative efforts of the teachers in the continuous improvements made to this design. The adoption of a learning design framework, such as the one used in this study, can be beneficial to ensure a systematic approach to the design of learning. In addition, the availability of technological infrastructure and computing devices are necessary for the seamless use of technology in the classroom. The just-in-time learning approach is adopted for students to learn technology as they are developing their digital stories.
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Saran Donahoo and Michael Whitney
Spurred on by the global economy and greater public interests, technology is no longer a luxury reserved for or exclusively used in wealthy schools. Indeed, educational leaders…
Abstract
Spurred on by the global economy and greater public interests, technology is no longer a luxury reserved for or exclusively used in wealthy schools. Indeed, educational leaders now experience strong pressure to increase and improve the use of the technology in their schools. Utilizing current research, program models, and best practices, this chapter provides educational administrators with issues associated with the costs of school technology plans, instructional, management, and other topics to address in planning to add or change the use of technology in schools, and a list of basic tenets to assist in creating and operating school technology programs.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the significant challenges school administrators encountered leading a one-to-one laptop school and what vision school administrators have…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the significant challenges school administrators encountered leading a one-to-one laptop school and what vision school administrators have for one-to-one laptop use in the classroom.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology for this study was a case study approach. In total, 15 school administrators were interviewed from the Western region of the USA.
Findings
Results from the study indicated that significant challenges for school administrators were budgeting and sustaining the initiative, and negotiating and setting expectations for instructional use with teachers. School administrators also envisioned one-to-one laptop use as a mean to enhance student-centered learning and inquiry.
Research limitations/implications
Further research is needed which examines how school administrators make financial decisions in regards to sustaining one-on-one laptop initiatives and how they manage conflict with teachers in respect to one-to-one laptop instruction.
Originality/value
Minimal literature exists which examines the challenges and vision of school technology leaders. Policy-makers and school administrators can use the findings to recreate teacher evaluation forms, develop conflict management strategies and teaching standards that are aligned and conducive to one-to-one laptop schools.
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The purpose of this study is to determine the self‐perceived impact of technology training on the transformational leadership practices of pre‐service school librarians who…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the self‐perceived impact of technology training on the transformational leadership practices of pre‐service school librarians who participated in a Master's degree program in library and information studies focusing on leadership development.
Design/methodology/approach
A concurrent triangulation mixed method design was implemented using two paper‐based self‐administered surveys. The first survey measured transformational leadership behaviors. The second obtained demographic variables and the participants' perceptions of the skills they learned in each of the five transformational leadership dimensions.
Findings
The results indicate that the leadership curriculum taught the participants how to be transformational leaders by using technology. The participants also use technology in a way that is significantly different from other teachers in Florida. Moreover, it is important to teach practical applications for integrating technology.
Research limitations/implications
This study was limited to a cohort of 30 pre‐service school library media specialists from six Florida counties.
Social implications
However, there are several practical implications. First, school library training programs can help change the perceptions of school librarians by teaching them to lead through technology integration. Next, school districts should support technology integration by developing infrastructures to support their success. Finally, project‐based experiences with feedback provide the best opportunities for teaching educators how to implement technology.
Originality/value
The results provide evidence that it is possible for degree programs to train school librarians to excel as technology integration leaders. Placing emphasis on this role can help change the perceptions of school librarians. These outcomes strengthen current knowledge of the technology integration role of school librarians.
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Linda Flanagan and Michele Jacobsen
This paper examines current issues related to technology integration and provides a contextual framework with which school principals can undertake new leadership responsibilities…
Abstract
This paper examines current issues related to technology integration and provides a contextual framework with which school principals can undertake new leadership responsibilities in this area. Selected examples of successful technology integration are provided to inform current technology leadership practices. The leadership goals, competencies and responsibilities needed in order to achieve this preferred future are described. In the final section, the authors draw on professional experiences as researcher and teacher/leader to build and expand on a five‐part leadership model currently in use by a large urban school district to interpret multiple dimensions of technology leadership for principals. Ways in which this framework can serve as a guide for school leaders as they develop technology competencies, implement professional growth plans, work with their community, and provide daily technology leadership, mentorship and advocacy for teachers in an elementary school are discussed.
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Today, public schools are under considerable pressure to integrate computer technology into their instructional programs. Results from studies of computer technology usage in…
Abstract
Today, public schools are under considerable pressure to integrate computer technology into their instructional programs. Results from studies of computer technology usage in public education and its impact on student achievement have not been very promising. Yet, schools are expected to purchase more computers and to incorporate them into classroom instruction. This paper examines several theories of leadership and decision making related to technology integration in primary and secondary schools and their impacts on public education. Finally, a number of leadership strategies for public school superintendents to better integrate computer technology in the instructional programs of public schools are presented.
This paper is aimed at describing and analysing what school organisers express when they network to expand the access and application of digital technologies in educational…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is aimed at describing and analysing what school organisers express when they network to expand the access and application of digital technologies in educational systems. Digital technologies develop rapidly in society, creating challenges and opportunities in people’s lives. Schools have an important task: to prepare young people for a future permeated by digital technology.
Design/methodology/approach
Participant observations and semi-structured interviews were used to describe and analyse how school organisers describe digitalisation work in the educational system.
Findings
The findings show that school organisers describe digital competence and providing support to schools as being important for expanding the access and application of digital technologies in the educational system. They also talk about equality connected to digitalisation work, changes in organisations, the importance of a holistic perspective, and a gold thread. They furthermore explain that networks, a sharing culture, good relations, and good communication enable digitalisation work. In addition, they point out that the lack of time, attitudes towards digital technologies, the lack of digital competence, and resistance to change are some of the constraints for digital technologies in the educational system.
Practical implications
School organisers need to implement digitalisation policies, which can be problematic because they work strategically to support operational activities.
Originality/value
This paper contributes knowledge about school organisers’ work to expand the access and application of digital technologies in the educational system.
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Information regarding best practices of information technology (IT) management in K‐12 schools provides school leaders with a basis for developing their own IT systems or…
Abstract
Information regarding best practices of information technology (IT) management in K‐12 schools provides school leaders with a basis for developing their own IT systems or evaluating their existing systems. Important as this information is, limited literature coverage exists on this topic. Over 100 technology audits conducted by graduate students in school organizations in north‐east Ohio in the United States have yielded insights of best practices that school leaders should find useful. The insights discussed in this article include attention to the access rate of users, leadership promise, technology planning, staff development, technical support, strategic hardware and software procurement, the technology budget, and an expanded view of infrastructural facilities. The article concludes with recommendations to school leaders who are interested in taking their IT practices to another level of excellence.
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Anu Vedantham and Laura Breeden
Explains the need for quality educational technology in our schoolsand notes the contributions of existing technology in improvingeducation. Describes the potential that…
Abstract
Explains the need for quality educational technology in our schools and notes the contributions of existing technology in improving education. Describes the potential that telecommunications network technology holds for revitalizing American education. Out‐lines the major federal programs that provide policy guidance and funding assistance for educational institutions to access and contribute to the evolving National Information Infrastructure (NII), and summarizes federal activities to date. In particular, describes the relevant experiences of the first year of the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) which is part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce. Contact information for all federal programs is provided as well.
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In this article, an overview of the current status of technology in schools in developed countries is provided. This is followed by establishing what the current status of…
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In this article, an overview of the current status of technology in schools in developed countries is provided. This is followed by establishing what the current status of technology in schools in a province in South Africa is through interviews with principals. The findings of the empirical survey is put in the context of the need for technology in schools as a tool to improve a society as a whole. The recommendations given are based on the results of the empirical survey and the relevant literature, and are provided in table form, indicating the duties of the different role players.
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