Technology Integration Practices Research Articles

Leadership practices and support structures enabling teachers’ informal learning for educational technology use: an appreciative inquiry approach

ABSTRACT Teachers increasingly turn to informal learning but often encounter challenges in their agency to improve technology integration practices. Through a qualitative paradigm and partly adopting the strength-based Appreciative Inquiry (AI) method, this study explored best leadership practices and considered how teachers’ self-directed learning might be enabled to better support technology use in pedagogy. Applying the discovery and dream phases of AI, the study engaged Ghana’s teachers, headteachers and education officials in constructive phone dialogues to identify practices that foster teachers’ informal learning. Different shared themes emerged through thematic analysis, revealing enabling leadership and support mechanisms contributing to teachers’ self-directed learning. Leadership support from key individuals at home, the district, and the school ecosystem surfaced as enablers for engagement in informal learning during the discovery phase. At the dream stage, teacher motivation, access to computers, headteachers’ leadership for collaborative learning, and dedicated time for independent and informal collaboration were envisioned to nurture teachers’ cointinuing self-directed learning. Findings have implications for education researchers and leaders to transition from deficits towards a strength-based inquiry as a promising tool to uncover inspiring leadership practices, actors, and support structures that cultivate and reinforce teachers’ self-directed learning to supplement formal professional development for technology integration.

Picturing digital equity in the curriculum: Cultivating preservice teachers’ digital equity mindsets in a technology integration course

Although access to technology has substantially increased in U.S. schools, inequities in technology usage persist, especially in classrooms serving disproportionately higher numbers of minoritized students. Driven by expert recommendations for increased teacher preparation focused on addressing this phenomenon, we sought to cultivate preservice teachers' (PSTs') digital equity mindsets in a stand-alone technology integration course. A qualitative analysis of pre- and post-course drawings and written reflections where PSTs indicated their intentions to build digital equity in the curriculum showed a significant evolution of their mindsets in five related dimensions of digital equity. This study provides novel insight into how PSTs' digital equity mindsets can be effectively cultivated, and how doing so might engender more equitable technology integration practices in the K-12 curriculum.

EFL Teachers’ Perceptions of the Challenges of Technology-Based Professional Development

Pre-service teacher professional development could assume an urgent part in raising teaching quality and learning outcomes. Evolving technologies allow for new and different forms of professional development. However, teacher professional development opportunities are limited and outcomes are controversial. In this study, to capture the challenges of a technology-based professional development, the researchers examined teachers’ perceptions of the barriers to technology integration and instructional practices. Three hundred participants were recruited through an online survey- Technology-Based Professional Development Questionnaire. Through employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the researchers analysed the data. The results of the study indicated that the gap between information and the use of technology-based apparatuses was viewed as related with the difficulties confronting teachers with technology-based directions. Technology-literate teachers knew how to integrate their insight into their commonsense instructing and had higher students’ commitment and inspiration. In any case, technology-illiterate teachers had mechanical troubles that reduced their education. A few ramifications can be drawn from the review, for example, the requirement for teacher instruction projects to further develop teacher consciousness of new educational innovative learning strategies, and the significance of giving chances to get computerized proficiency. Our findings have both theoretical and practical implications for pre-and in-service teacher training programs. Based on these discoveries, suggestions for the plan of online professional development and gaps for future examinations are discussed.

Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery Operations: Leveraging Predictive Analytics, Technology Integration, and Sustainable Practices

In the contemporary landscape of e-commerce and retail industries, the optimization of last-mile delivery operations emerges as a pivotal element for sustaining customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. This study delves into a comprehensive exploration of various strategies aimed at refining the last-mile delivery process, a segment known for its significant challenges, including high costs, inefficiencies, and environmental concerns. By integrating predictive analytics, this research goes beyond traditional logistics methods to forecast delivery needs and driver performance accurately, allowing for pre-emptive adjustments that enhance reliability and efficiency. Furthermore, the investigation into technology integration sheds light on how advanced software solutions, such as route optimization algorithms and real-time tracking systems, can drastically reduce delivery times and operational costs while simultaneously increasing customer satisfaction levels. Additionally, the paper emphasizes sustainable practices within last-mile delivery operations, exploring eco-friendly approaches that not only mitigate environmental impact but also potentially lower delivery costs through fuel savings and efficiency gains. Through the analysis of real-world data and illustrative case studies, this research articulates a holistic framework aimed at improving last-mile delivery. Such a framework is indispensable for companies seeking to maintain a competitive edge in the fast-paced and ever-evolving retail sector. The findings of this study underscore the importance of embracing technological advancements and sustainable practices to address the multifaceted challenges of last-mile delivery, ultimately leading to improved service levels and operational excellence.

Tensions between technology integration practices of teachers and ICT in education policy expectations: implications for change in teacher knowledge, beliefs and teaching practices

AbstractIn line with ICT in education policies and curricula in Ghana and many other countries, teachers are expected to integrate digital technologies into instruction to facilitate meaningful and engaging student learning experiences. More research is however needed to investigate teachers’ actual classroom practices with technology to determine whether these align with national ICT in education policies and curricula expectations. This qualitative study conducted phone interviews with twenty teachers from twelve schools and used a synthesised ICT pedagogy classification framework as a lens to investigate teachers’ technology integration practices in relation to Ghana's ICT policies and curricula requirements. Following a thematic analysis procedure, the article finds that teachers mainly use technology conveniently for lesson preparation and direct instruction delivery, treating technology primarily as a productivity tool to support traditional teacher-centred teaching tasks. The use of technology for constructivist practices and fostering student-centred learning appears to be limited, which contradicts the priorities outlined in ICT in education policies and curricula in Ghana. The findings highlight a discrepancy between the requirements of ICT policies and the actual classroom practices of teachers. The implications of the findings are discussed, emphasising the need to action change in teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and teaching practices in order to bridge the gap and effectively translate ICT curricula and policy plans into actual teaching practices.

Aligning Pedagogical Beliefs and Technology Integration in English Language Teaching: A Multiple-Case Study of Islamic Senior High School EFL Teachers

Understanding how teachers' pedagogical beliefs regarding language teaching and learning have been transferred into technology integration practices in English teaching would assist teachers in optimizing learning outcomes and facilitating teaching-learning. The purpose of this study is to explore how language teachers' pedagogical beliefs, which beliefs about language instruction and learning that have been translated into technology integration in English instructional practice. This study used a case study as the research design, this research also used other instruments, there were interview guidelines, documents checklist, and observation form/field notes. The data analysis of this study consisted of two phases: within-case analysis (phase 1) and cross-case analysis (phase 2). The results of this study showed rule-based practices with technology implemented by teachers. In this study typically entailed using technology to support grammar and practice in the classroom. Also, it showed the purposeful study and assessment or application of grammatical rules within appropriate contexts. Moreover, the integration of Islamic education with science and technology learning is expected to be meaningful and easily understandable. Therefore, the goal of Islamic education in leading students to recognize, understand, contemplate, believe, and have a noble character in implementing the teachings of Islam from the primary source, the holy book of Al-Quran and Al-Hadith, can be accomplished through teaching guidance, practicing, and the use of experience

Practices and Challenges of Teachers in Teaching Science Online

Educational disruption brought by this pandemic changed the practices and challenged teachers and students to navigate the new learning landscape. This descriptive research study determined the practices and challenges of science teachers in teaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 54 science teachers in Zambales, Philippines responded to the researcher-made Practices and Challenges of Science Teachers Questionnaire (PCSTQ). Results revealed that science teachers use printed module as a learning delivery modality in their classes. They often employ varied science teaching strategies, utilize assessment strategies and incorporate technology integration in teaching during educational disruption. They often encounter challenges in academic workload, laboratory experimentation, and physical infrastructures, while they sometimes face challenges in terms of digital infrastructure, instructional resources, digital competence, and assessment and supervision. There are significant differences in the teachers’ teaching strategies by trainings, and technology integration practices by trainings and modality used. Furthermore, there are significant differences in the challenges in instructional resources, physical infrastructure, digital competence, and academic workload by years in service; challenges in digital competence by zone; and challenges in academic workload by age. Implications of the study to pedagogy, policy, and practice are discussed in the paper. The study also contributes to the dearth of literature in describing the teachers’ practices and challenges in science teaching in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF TURKISH NOVICE EFL TEACHERS AFTER ONLINE PRACTICUM

Although technology is a vital part of 21st-century education, teachers in English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts face challenges when using digital tools in their teaching. Studies have been conducted with in-service teachers to understand their beliefs and practices with digital learning of English. However, there is a gap in the literature about investigating the technology integration beliefs and practices of newly graduated EFL teachers who experienced online teaching practice during their pre-service education. Thus, this study aimed to investigate how novice teachers’ online practicum affects their teaching with technology in face-toface classrooms. To this end, this study adopted a qualitative case study research design and collected data through six open-ended questions from 20 Turkish novice EFL teachers who received their teaching practice and school experience courses online and conducted semi-structured interviews with 5 participants. The thematic analysis of the data showed that the participants were aware of the importance of technology use, and their online teaching practice experience helped them get familiar with teaching English with digital tools before graduating. However, the lack of resources and support in their current face-to-face teaching contexts prevented them from using technology. The findings revealed that teacher education programs should offer updated content and opportunities for creating digital material to prepare EFL teachers for the future.

MODEL DAN STRATEGI PEMBELAJARAN QUANTUM TEACHING & LEARNING

This research presents an exploration of the Quantum Teaching & Learning model and its associated strategies. Quantum Teaching & Learning is an innovative approach to education that blends various pedagogical methods, technology integration, and learner-centric practices. This study delves into the key components and principles of the model, emphasizing its adaptability to diverse educational settings and subjects. The research also investigates the effectiveness of Quantum Teaching & Learning in enhancing student engagement, critical thinking, and overall learning outcomes. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and opportunities for implementing this model in contemporary educational contexts.

Factors That Support Technology Integration Practices in the Math Education of Children with Intellectual Disabilities.

The current paper explores the relationship between technological knowledge, beliefs about technology use in education, beliefs about the limits of technology use with respect to children with disabilities, self-efficacy beliefs, and their effects on technology use or teacher practices in the special education setting regarding mathematics education. Research was conducted via an online questionnaire. A total of 83 teachers working in the field of special education answered the questionnaire. The answers were analyzed via quantitative and qualitative analyses. In addition, correlational analyses were conducted. A prediction model that included all the aforementioned variables was tested. Our regression analysis evidenced the strong predictive value of technology-related knowledge with respect to technology integration practices but not toward the other models that included beliefs. Through mediation analysis, we found that technology-related knowledge mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and technology integration practices. The qualitative findings provided information on the interplay between knowledge, practice, and beliefs that are contextualized; on the specificity of technology-related knowledge. Implications are discussed with reference to factors important for the professional development of teachers with regard to technology integration.

How field experience shapes pre-service primary teachers’ technology integration knowledge and practice

ABSTRACT The expectation for teachers to integrate technology within their classroom practice is growing. However, few studies examine the influences on pre-service teachers’ technology integration knowledge and practice, and the role of field experience in shaping these. Narratives from semi-structured pre-COVID interviews with 35 pre-service primary school teachers in one teacher education programme in Ireland, some of whom used a digital camera, were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Opportunities for pre-service teachers to develop their knowledge and practice were shaped by their interaction with the primary school context, the people within it and the digital resources provided, the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). While the initial teacher education programme provided opportunities and digital resources to support the primary teachers’ learning, the Zone of Promoted Action, these were ultimately shaped by the ZPD. The results have implications for professional development programmes striving to support teachers in developing innovative practice in a post-COVID era.

Teaching during COVID-19 Pandemic: Students’ Experiences, Perceptions and Lessons for Higher Education Institutes

A sudden shift to complete online teaching and learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for educational institutes, their administrators, teachers and students. This study investigated students’ online teaching experiences with the intention to shape higher education institutes’ (HEI) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration policies and practices. A mixed-method research approach was used to collect data. The quantitative data were collected using a survey questionnaire and focus group discussion method was used to gather qualitative data. The students’ views of their instructors’ online instructional and assessment strategies revealed that teachers confined themselves to the university guidelines and used the recommended learning management system (LMS) and digital tools but lacked the training to utilise many of the features available in the recommended LMS and digital tools that could be integrated with the LMS due to poor knowledge and ICT skills. This study suggests that HEIs should invest in research to understand students’ choices of digital tools and train teachers to maximise the use of the LMS.

School learning support for teacher technology integration from a self-determination theory perspective.

Teacher technology integration research on persistence is needed. Teachers’ persistence is strongly associated with their autonomous motivation, as defined by self-determination theory (SDT); however, most SDT-based studies have focused on teachers’ support and students’ motivation and well-being. SDT founders also recently suggested that future studies should include teacher motivation towards the use of technology. Accordingly, this experimental and longitudinal study aimed to investigate how the proposed support encouraged and sustained the low- and high- quality teachers’ integration practices. It proposed a school learning support intervention with three dimensions—leader, expert, and peer support—to meet teachers’ basic needs and thereby increase their motivation for and persistence in classroom technology integration. It had a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, involved 122 school teachers and lasted for 22 months. Pre-, post- and delay- questionnaires and two arounds of interviews were used to collect the teachers perceptions on needs satisfaction and technology integration practices. The results suggest that the support increased the extent to which the teachers’ needs were met, resulting in more high-quality (student-centered) but not low-quality (lecturing) integration practices. However, the intervention sustained both types of integration practices. The findings offer three major empirical implications, makes two theoretical contributions, and offers four practical suggestions for researchers and practitioners.

Simulations to Teach Science Subjects: Connections Among Students’ Engagement, Self-Confidence, Satisfaction, and Learning Styles

With the increasing technology integration practices in education, the adoption of computer simulations to teach conceptual understanding of science concepts is widely accepted by educators across the globe. To understand the connections between learners’ engagement and satisfaction with simulations for science learning and their learning styles, the present study analyzed 1034 university students' perceptions and experiences of using simulations for learning physics, chemistry, and biology subjects. The study took place in a large public university in a gulf country. Precisely, this study provides an empirically driven exploration of the connection between tertiary students' engagement and satisfaction with simulation-based learning and their learning styles. The findings of this study showed that the participants showed a very high level of engagement and satisfaction with the use of simulations for learning science concepts in the subjects of physics, chemistry, and biology. Their self-confidence and VAK learning styles, particularly the kinesthetic style, were significant predictors of their engagement and satisfaction with the learning process. The findings from this study have implications for the benefit of researchers and practitioners interested in the effective adoption of computer simulations as a pedagogical approach in science education.

Career-changers’ technology integration beliefs and practice in initial teacher education: A summative cross-case analysis

Fundamental to career-changers’ successful transition into teaching is the design and delivery of post-graduate initial teacher education (ITE) programs. Career-changers enter teaching eager to share applied knowledge from prior occupations; however, support during ITE to facilitate the inclusion of these skills into teaching is often lacking. This study explored this phenomenon from a technology perspective and presents the outcomes of a cross-case analysis of four pre-service career-changers from an Australian university during ITE. Results indicated career-changers perceived their capacity to link existing technology skills to curricula depended on modelling and mentoring of technology integration during ITE subjects and school placements. School cultures combined with IT infrastructures also reportedly impacted technology practice. Recommendations to better support career-changers during ITE are discussed.

Using Web Video Conferencing to Conduct a Program as a Proposed Model toward Teacher Leadership and Academic Vitality in the Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted private basic education in the Philippines to hold a professional developmental program for faculty members using web video conferencing (WVC). Given the uncertainties of WVC educational quality and the challenge of shifting to a fully online environment, this study aimed to evaluate the use of web video conferencing and the development of a faculty development program on sustaining teacher leadership and academic vitality through research. The training was held for nine weeks, and 33 faculty members of the institution participated. Quantitative data include survey questionnaires on perceptions on action research, perceptions on technology integration, training proficiency, and pedagogical practices. Qualitative data include analysis of video recordings, reflection journals, observation notes, and actual research outputs. It utilized descriptive developmental action research using a convergent mixed-method approach, and thematic analysis. Findings show that the use of WVC as a mode of delivery proved successful in creating an effective educational experience for all the participants as evidenced by their enhanced teacher leadership skills and academic vitality. These skills were demonstrated through their willingness to promote professional inquiry as shown by their actual research outputs and demonstration of high proficiency in the adoption of technology integration.

The impact of prior occupations and initial teacher education on post-graduate pre-service teachers' conceptualization and realization of technology integration.

Post-graduate teacher recruitment schemes are designed to fulfil ongoing teaching shortages. However, despite the emphasis of technology integration in educational contexts, little research has examined the knowledge, skills and attitudes post-graduate pre-service teachers bring to teaching from a technology perspective. This paper presents findings from the final phase of an explanatory case study exploring the development of post-graduate pre-service teachers’ technology integration beliefs and practice during a teacher education program at an Australian university. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 post-graduate pre-service teachers after two professional (field) experiences. A social cognitive lens was applied to understand how technology integration beliefs and practice developed during this time. Results showed occupation-specific technology experience provided this group with a diversity of technology expertise, confidence using technology, resilience to overcome technical issues, and self-regulatory traits to learn new technology tools. Contributing personal factors influencing beliefs and practice included age, professional background, technology skills and technology self-efficacy beliefs. Initial practice revealed a predilection to integrate technology to supplement teacher-directed pedagogy. The shift towards technology integration to support student-centred pedagogy was dependent upon modelling and mentoring provisions offered by both teacher-educators and teacher-mentors during professional (field) experience placements. Other extrinsic factors, such as hardware provisions, Information Technology infrastructure, and school culture, were also instrumental in the conceptualization and realization of technology pedagogy. Recommendations include the necessity for post-graduate teacher education programs to recognise the untapped technology expertise this group may bring to teaching, and practical suggestions to support the development of meaningful technology integration epistemologies.

Teacher educators’ perspectives and practices towards the Technology Education Technology Competencies (TETCs)

ABSTRACT This mixed-method study explores current innovative methods towards technology integration in a teacher preparation programme at a mid-sized university in the Southeastern United States. The authors collected and analysed qualitative descriptive data from instructors of a foundational technology course. Using the recently developed Technology Education Technology Competencies (TETCs), they surveyed 17 faculty members and conducted follow-up interviews to understand their perspectives about the importance of the TETCs, and their belief of whether their current instructional technology integration aligned with them. Key findings suggest policies and initiatives to increase faculty technology integration did not tightly align with practice; teacher educators believed the TETCs were important, but most perceived their practices with teacher candidates were weak, and teacher educators with a higher proficiency with technology scored higher on their beliefs and practices with technology integration. The authors use their findings to propose ways to redesign teacher education programmes to increase faculty technology integration practices.

Technology Integration Through Evidence-Based Multimodal Reflective Professional Training

For technology integration to achieve intended instructional objectives, professional development is of paramount importance for in-service instructors. Technology enhanced reflection providing multimodality and evidence-based data has the potential of helping instructors achieve technology integration in their teaching. Thus, this study addressed the lack of professional development programs for in-service English language instructors aiming at technology integration through evidence-based multimodal reflective practices. By following the developmental research methodology, an instrumental case study was conducted using mixed-methods design including both qualitative and quantitative data. The professional training was carried out with eight English language instructors at tertiary level who aimed to integrate technology into their English classes by being involved in evidence-based multimodal reflective practice. In this study, there were five different data sources (instructors’ opinions, recorded lessons, video annotations, face-to-face interaction notes and pages in the learning management system) and seven data collection tools (interviews, tutor reflection template, self-reflection template, peer-reflection template, technology integration questionnaire, online discussion forums and evaluation criteria form). As a result, this professional training particularly designed and implemented for the in-service English language instructors at tertiary level did make a change in their both technology integration and evidence-based multimodal reflective practice. Apart from the change in the instructors’ technology integration, this study had an impact on their understanding, practice and quality of reflective practice involving evidence-based multimodal reflection tools as it helped the instructors to increase depth in their evidence-based multimodal reflective practice.

Integrating Technology in Qatar’s Higher Education Settings: What Helps Faculty Accomplish the Job

This qualitative, exploratory case study elicited faculty members’ perceptions of the factors that facilitate technology integration into their instruction. The sample for the study constituted 14 full-time male professors at a public midsized postsecondary institution in Qatar. Davis’s technology acceptance model is the theoretical framework that guided this study and served as the theoretical lens through which data were collected and analyzed. Procedures associated with qualitative research were used to analyze the data collected from the interviews. Salient findings that emerged from this investigation, such as basic technology skills, digital content availability, career enhancement, and self-confidence were perceived as major requirements for successful technology integration practices. Cultural restrictions were also perceived to enhance the use of technology for instructional purposes. Recommendations for future research are provided in light of the derived findings.