Use Of Technology In Classroom Research Articles

Kahoot! Game‐based digital learning platform: A comprehensive meta‐analysis

AbstractBackgroundIn recent years, the widespread use of technology in classrooms has encouraged the transition from traditional lecture methods to digital‐based learning environments. Technological game‐based learning platforms, such as Kahoot!, which are used to encourage students' active participation and interaction in learning environments, are used significantly by teachers and students in educational environments worldwide.ObjectivesThis article aims to examine the effects of Kahoot, a digital learning platform, on education through meta‐analysis. This meta‐analysis provides a holistic understanding of the potential impact of Kahoot on education by synthesizing the results of various experimental studies. This study evaluates the influence of Kahoot on key educational variables, such as academic achievement, retention, motivation, anxiety and attitude, which are essential for enhancing teaching methods and optimizing learning environments.MethodsThe study conducted a meta‐analysis following the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA). A total of 43 studies that met the specified criteria were included in the sample, providing a comprehensive overview of the impact of Kahoot across different contexts. The sample was n = 1706 for the experimental group and n = 1647 for the control group.Results and ConclusionThe findings from the meta‐analysis indicate that Kahoot has a significant moderate positive effect on academic achievement, with an average effect size of 0.772 (95%CI: 0.540–1.004). The analysis also shows a very large positive effect on retention, with an average effect size of 1.492, suggesting that students using Kahoot tend to have significantly higher retention compared with those who do not. For motivation, Kahoot demonstrates a large positive effect, with an average effect size of 0.960, indicating that students using Kahoot tend to be more motivated. The impact on anxiety is less clear, with a small negative effect size of −0.338, suggesting a moderate reduction in anxiety levels among students using Kahoot. Lastly, Kahoot appears to have a medium positive effect on students' attitudes towards learning, with an average effect size of 0.678.TakeawaysThese results underscore the potential of Kahoot as an effective educational tool. The results of this study provide valuable guiding information for educators and policy makers by helping to optimize teaching methods and learning environments through the effective use of digital tools, such as Kahoot. The findings suggest that Kahoot can increase academic achievement, retention, motivation and attitudes and potentially reduce anxiety, making it a promising digital tool for modern educational practice.

Sickness Presenteeism Correlates to Teaching-Learning Activities: Implication Focus on Public Secondary Schools in Busia District, Uganda

To evaluate the implications of sickness presenteeism on the teaching-learning services in public secondary schools in Busia district, Eastern Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and gathered responses both qualitatively and quantitatively using structured interviews and questionnaires from secondary school teachers and Headteachers in government secondary schools in Busia District. The study used a stratified sampling technique with a sample size of 215 respondents. The study reveals that teachers’ on-time work plans, focus on their duties, and understanding of students’ needs and learning styles are crucial for effective teaching and learning. Teachers must prioritize and meet deadlines to maintain classroom cleanliness and discipline. The study recommended that the Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, should provide continuous professional development opportunities for teachers, enabling them to update their skills and knowledge. Additionally, the government should put in place mechanisms to encourage the use of technology in classrooms to foster interactive and engaging learning environments. Implication of the study, the government through the Ministry of Education and Sports should advocate for the introduction of insurance for teachers to further support and incentivize their commitment to their profession. This insurance could provide financial protection for teachers in the event of illness, injury, or any unforeseen circumstances that may prevent them from working. By offering this benefit, schools can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their teachers and their dedication to ensuring their job security.

Maker music education: Towards a post-digital, participatory and empowering music education

This theoretical paper aims to delineate a music-specific interpretation of a concept known as maker education by addressing substantial challenges within educational technologies, particularly in music education. Challenges include the potential constraints on musical agency, limitations to specific music genres and sounds and the environmental impact of increased music technology use in classrooms. In response, the maker education concept is introduced, adapted and refined as a pathway towards a post-digital, participatory and empowering music education. Employing a Design-Based Research approach, design principles for ‘maker music education’ are delineated, and the subsequent steps in the research process are outlined.

The how and how much of technology use in the classroom: A motivational approach to teachers' technology use

AbstractTechnology in the classroom can facilitate learning, but little is known about how the motivational climate set by teachers shapes its impacts on students. Informed by self‐determination theory, the current study explored technology use in English language classrooms to understand how autonomy‐supportive and structured teaching styles influenced positive outcomes of classroom technology use. Teachers (N = 101) reported on technology use and motivational styles, and students (N = 550) aged 9–16 years reported on basic psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness and competence) and academic well‐being (interest and effort). Findings of nested models showed no direct benefits for the amount of technology use; more autonomous teaching style and low structure linked to students' need satisfaction and interest. Beyond these main effects, when teachers were more autonomous, using technology enhanced student need satisfaction and interest; the combination of both was most beneficial for these student outcomes. Counter to expectations, when teachers had low structure technology use enhanced their impact on students. Findings suggest that to optimize student well‐being and interest in learning, teachers benefit from combining autonomy‐supportive education styles and technology use.

Teachers’ Perceptions and Use of ICT Facilities in Teaching Mathematics: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Gasabo District, Rwanda

This study investigated the perspectives of mathematics teachers on the integration of ICT facilities in teaching within four public secondary schools in the Gasabo District. Employing a mixed-methods approach with 23 participants selected through simple random sampling, the study utilized a questionnaire, structured interview and classroom observation checklists for data collection. Results indicated a generally positive perception among mathematics teachers towards the incorporation of ICT in their teaching practices and their perceptions towards ICT in education support its integration into mathematics teaching practices. Notably, teachers actively utilized smartphones and computers for tasks such as writing lesson plans, creating teaching materials, grading and collaborating with peers. The study suggests ongoing encouragement for the use of technology in classrooms to further enhance ICT integration in secondary education.

ESL teaching methods and approaches: Essential strategies for encouraging effective language acquisition.

The present study contributes to the field of English as a Second Language education by examining the effectiveness of different teaching methods, including interactive techniques, technology integration, and culturally responsive teaching strategies. By relying on a mixed-methods research methodology that relied on a triangulation of classroom observations, literature review, and ESL teacher surveys, this study identified several strategies that may have a positive impact on language learning. In particular, the results suggested that interactive activities improve student engagement and promote hands-on practical language application, technology use in classrooms ensures inclusivity and supports the diverse needs of learners via multimedia supports, and culturally responsive teaching that integrates students’ social and cultural backgrounds into the learning process increases relevance and motivation. The current paper also addresses the implications of these findings for ESL practitioners and lists potential avenues for further studies that could help advance ESL pedagogy in the future. The results of the study serve as a call to ESL teachers to employ these methods in their classrooms and modify them to fit their specific teaching and learning context to promote the effectiveness of this type of language instruction and inclusivity within classrooms.

Public Health Students and Instructors Weigh in on Generative Artificial Intelligence: Are They on the Same Page?

Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) technology is used among students, yet it remains unclear how public health students and instructors perceive it to be effective in a learning environment. We described how and why public health students and instructors are using genAI technology along with their perceived benefits and limitations of using genAI, noting where perceptions overlap. We surveyed public health students and instructors at a higher education institution in the United States. Student survey questions covered which genAI technologies they used, which activities they used genAI for, and perceived benefits and limitations of using genAI. Questions for instructors covered which genAI technology they used, course activities genAI was integrated, and perceived benefits and limitations of using genAI. Student respondents ( n = 300) indicated using genAI technology for writing or clarifying concepts. Students and instructors ( n = 62) agreed genAI technology could save time on tedious tasks and will be part of our future workforce. They agreed that appropriate use in the classroom will better prepare future professionals. Alternatively, students and instructors indicated genAI may impede learning, produce inaccurate information, and pose opportunities for unethical behavior. While students and instructors agree on many aspects of genAI technology, instructors should be explicit about their expectations and rationale for use of genAI technology in classrooms.

Exploring English lecturers’ self-efficacy in the use of educational technology in post COVID-19 pandemic

This study examines the levels of self-efficacy and factors influencing the self-efficacy on the use of educational technology among English lecturers in Islamic higher education institutions in East Java, Indonesia, in the post-COVID-19 pandemic. There are two research questions addressed: 1) What levels of self-efficacy do the lecturers exhibit on the pedagogical skills and actual use of educational technology in the post–COVID–19 pandemic? 2) What factors influence the lecturers’ self-efficacy on the use of educational technology in the post–COVID–19 pandemic? Utilizing a survey research design, data were collected using an adapted version of the Professional Self-Efficacy Scale for Information and Communication Technology Teachers (PSES) questionnaire. The data from 37 participants were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result showed that the lecturers’ self-efficacy in their pedagogical skills and the actual use of educational technology was moderate, and they will continue integrating educational technology in their classrooms in the post–COVID–19 era. Moreover, the qualitative data indicated that the lecturers had moderate skills in using technology with limited educational technology tools. Age, gender, qualifications, and teaching experience emerged as factors influencing the lecturers’ self-efficacy on the use of educational technology in classrooms. The findings highlighted the need for English lecturers in Islamic higher education institutions to broaden their skills in using educational technology for learning. Policymakers need to design appropriate strategies to enhance lecturers’ pedagogical practices in using educational technology for online learning to ensure effective and efficient teaching in the post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Constructivist Beliefs And The Attitudes Towards Computers As Predictors Of Classroom Technology Use Amongst Pre-Service Teachers

Despite vast improvements in technology infrastructure and classroom technology implementation across Malaysia, there still remain teachers who fail to seamlessly integrate technology in their lessons. Potential explanations for this behaviour span from low self-efficacy and computer anxiety to personal attitudes and beliefs. Technology has been shown to aid learning and even contribute to an improvement in standardized test results when integrated into the curriculum in a meaningful manner. This study investigates the causes for the reluctance to integrate technology in classrooms. It also looks into whether it can be understood from teachers' attitudes towards computers or from their constructivist teaching beliefs. A correlational research study was conducted with 135 pre-service teachers from 3 public Malaysian universities. Multiple regression analysis was performed to establish the predictive value of the variables. Our analysis showed that teachers’ attitudes towards computers can directly predict how likely they are to incorporate technology in their lessons. However, constructivist beliefs did not predict pre-service teachers’ intention to use technology in the classroom. Additional analysis and t-test found that female teachers were significantly less likely to want to incorporate technology in their lessons when compared to males. We concluded that when teachers’ attitudes towards computers are more positive, they are more likely to use technology in their future lessons. However, this may not apply across the board, with female teachers appearing less likely to utilise technology when compared with male teachers.

Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge: An Australian Case Study

Teacher Education students, at the bachelor’s and post-graduate level, complete programs that expose them to educational theories and best teaching practices. However, the extant literature has repeatedly demonstrated that many preservice teachers (PST) are unprepared to apply such knowledge to real-world educational settings. The problem may be particularly acute when it comes to the use of technology in classrooms. Given increasing government investment in technology and the burgeoning digital industries, teachers can play a critical role in demonstrating the effective use of technology in the course of teaching and learning. This study used a survey based on the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model to evaluate PSTs self-perceived competencies in integrating technology into their teaching practices. Over a span of two years, PSTs enrolled in a unit offering six weeks’ professional experience were invited to respond to the survey and rate their cognizance of relevant teaching practices. Respondents indicated some familiarity with TPACK, but significant gaps were also evident. Moreover, despite the lack of significant differences among age groups in PSTs perceived ability to apply the TPACK model, noticeable differences were observed in their experiences regarding gender and prior employment.

Digital Integration: A Productive Pedagogy and its Efficacy of Language Learning

Technology in Education is the catalyst and has become a ubiquity in bringing education to all and bridge the digital divide. In the field of Teaching and English Language Learning the profound nature of technology plays a multifarious role. It facilitates both the Teacher and the Learner in the form of Digital Tools. A plethora of digital tool gives us multifaceted use of technology in classrooms by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Meticulously using ICT tools will liberate and enable a new way of learning, teaching, communicating, and working collaboratively. The use of digital tools in teaching creates an environment of learner centred education. The intention of this paper is objective to show the impact of the use of ICT tools in English Language teaching among the learners. Incorporating gamification tools creates encouragement and participation also builds teamwork,produce creativity and deep thinking amongst the learners. Therefore, the advancement of technology in education develops an inclusive environment and help the learners to learn the English language. The integration of digital tools in the pedagogy brings the experiential learning among the students and learns the language effectively and productively.

Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Attitudes towards the Use of Information Technology in Classrooms

This research aims to measure the level of integration of ICT in teaching, learning, and assessment practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. We propose measuring teachers’ attitude, self-efficacy, and skills in using technology because the quality of education during the pandemic was influenced by these factors. An online questionnaire was distributed amongst 189 teachers from all levels of education, from kindergarten to high school, and the sample was described using the means, distribution, and number of years of experience in education. The statistical analyses employed for the quantitative data included correlational study and mediation analysis. We found a correlation between gender, environment, barrier level and teachers’ attitude, self-efficacy, and skills. Also, the teachers’ attitude mediates the association between ICT skills and ICT integration in the educational process. The results reveal high positive scores in terms of ICT integration in teaching practices, teachers’ attitude, self-efficacy, and ICT skills. The novelty of this research is that this is the first time a questionnaire based on attitude, self-efficacy, ICT skills, and ICT integration in the classroom has been applied in the northern Moldavian region of Romania, and the results underline the educational implications for in-service teacher training.

Impact of ICT-Driven Teacher Professional Development for the Enhancement of Classroom Practices in South Africa: A Systematic Review of Literature

Education is critical to the development of any country. The quality of education depends on the quality of teachers in the education system. Studies affirm that the initial teacher education that teachers enter the teaching profession with, is not enough to sustain the education system. Hence, there is a need for continuing life-long learning for teachers to keep abreast of their profession. Seemingly, teachers play a significant role in the integration of ICT into teaching and learning. Therefore, adequate and regular professional development of teachers is paramount to the use of learning technologies in classrooms. This study employed a systematic review of the literature to explore the impact of teachers' exposure to ICT through professional development activities on teaching and learning success. The TPACK framework was adopted as an underpinning lens to understand the phenomenon. The study affirms that the professional development of teachers should be situated within ICT pedagogical and content-related content to capacitate teachers' ICT knowledge and skills. Hence, teachers' ICT knowledge enhances classroom instructional delivery, using various learning technologies in teaching and learning. The study recommends adequate and regular capacity building for teachers with ICT training, while teachers should be supported with ICT gadgets and resources. Follow-up should be designed to ensure teachers’ adoption and use of ICT for teaching and learning in South African schools, to familiarise their learners with various learning technologies, and to enhance their academic performances.
 
 Received: 17 April 2023 / Accepted: 29 July 2023 / Published: 5 September 2023

The Value of Innovation in Educational Settings

Innovation in education is crucial to keeping up with the ever-evolving landscape of learning environments. This paper examines various innovative approaches that have been implemented in education settings to enhance student learning outcomes. Firstly, the paper discusses the use of technology in classrooms, including online learning platforms and educational apps that provide students with interactive and personalized learning experiences. Secondly, the paper explores the concept of flipped classrooms, where students watch pre-recorded lectures at home and then use class time for interactive activities and discussions. Additionally, the paper discusses the importance of collaboration and project-based learning in modern education settings. Finally, the paper examines the use of gamification in education to increase student engagement and motivation. Overall, this paper highlights the importance of embracing innovation in education to create more effective and engaging learning experiences for students in today's fast-paced world.

Will, skills, or conscientiousness: What predicts teachers’ intentions to participate in technology-related professional development?

To unfold the potential of learning with technology in classrooms, teachers must be prepared to integrate it meaningfully and with high instructional quality. Professional development (PD) is an important avenue for preparing in-service teachers to integrate technology into their teaching. Whereas existing research indicates that teachers’ motivation predicts classroom technology use and participation in PD, knowledge about other predictors (e.g., technology-related knowledge and personality) is scarce. This scarcity is surprising because technology-related prior knowledge and, for example, conscientiousness are especially important in systems in which teachers choose PD voluntarily. In this study, we analyzed unique data from 321 in-service teachers whose schools were randomized to receive one-to-one technology. Using sequential linear and nonlinear regression, we examined the extent to which teachers’ will, skills, and conscientiousness simultaneously (rather than separately) predicted their intentions to participate in technology-related PD. Controlling for important personal and contextual characteristics, we found robust evidence that the perceived utility of technology in classrooms was a stronger predictor of participation intentions than technology-related knowledge and conscientiousness. Contrary to existing assumptions, our findings illustrate that teachers should still be made aware of the utility of technology for instruction to strengthen their intentions to participate in technology-related PD.

Exploring Parents’ Technology Attitudes and Practices in the Context of School-Issued One-to-One Devices in Kindergarten

School districts are quickly adopting one-to-one mobile device programs for children as early as kindergarten, but evidence of successful device integration is mixed. One important area to consider is the home-school connection, i.e., the role of parents and the home environment in supporting or hindering children’s school-based technology use. Previous research has looked extensively at teacher-related barriers and facilitators of classroom technology use, as well as parent-related barriers and facilitators of home technology use. However, the home and school spheres are highly interconnected, especially for young children. Therefore, this survey-based case study explored the relationships between children’s at-home technology use, their parents’ attitudes towards technology, and their in-school tablet use utilizing a sample of 258 parents of kindergartners in a racially and socioeconomically diverse district that had recently adopted a one-to-one tablet program. Results highlight the ubiquity of kindergartners’ home device use and parents’ general optimism towards both home- and school-based digital devices.

The preschool teachers' perspective of digital technology use in classrooms: A case study of North Maluku province, Indonesia

The significance of information and communication technologies in the educational sector in the last few decades has tremendously increased. The current study aims to examine the significance of various individual factors such as teachers' self-concept, self-efficacy and ICT-related subjective self in predicting their perceptions of ICT usability leading to enhance preschool children’s learning outcomes. To achieve the study objectives, the authors applied a quantitative research methodology. After surveying 386 preschool teachers in 55 preschools, the data were analyzed using SmartPLS software. Most educational institutions have transformed their traditional modes of education into virtual classrooms. Technological intrusion in the educational sector has increased during COVID-19 and is persistent in the post-COVID era. Similarly, in universities and colleges, the inclusion of digital technologies in preschools has remarkably increased. The current study adds value to the existing body of literature by extending the existing TAM3 to TAM3+ by adding a new domain of subjective self and predicting preschool teachers' ICT usage in the classrooms and the interaction of this usage with technical support to enhance the preschool children’s learning outcomes.

STUDENTS’ DISCOURSES DURING THE ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING IN THE FIRST WAVE OF THE COVID19 PANDEMIC: AN ACTION RESEARCH WITH STUDENTS AS CO-RESEARCHERS

The COVID-19 pandemic affected education communities by turning students and teachers abruptly to online teaching. This imposition of digital education is being investigated by various researchers all over the world since it has changed the way we conceive of the use of technology in classrooms and in our lives in general. Nevertheless, the students’ voice is being neglected and not taken seriously into account. In this paper an action research is presented with the teacher acting as researcher and the students as co-researchers. This action research took place during the first wave of the pandemic (March 2020-May 2020) in Crete, Greece. The students, after investigating the online education in general and after various discussions, in their final accounts reflected upon a. the changes in their role as students, b. the changes in the role of the teacher, c. they proposed the role that a teacher should have today. The teacher-researcher analyzed these three categories with Critical Discourse Analysis to identify the discourses the students promoted or silenced. The findings showed that online education is not a success story as promoted by researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders; rather it lacks human elements like humor, psychological support, and instant interaction.

Equity analysis of an augmented reality‐mediated group activity in a college biochemistry classroom

AbstractThe use of two‐dimensional images to teach students about three‐dimensional molecules continues to be a prevalent issue in many classrooms. As affordable visualization technologies continue to advance, there has been an increasing interest to utilize novel technology, such as augmented reality (AR), in the development of molecular visualization tools. Existing evaluations of these visual–spatial learning tools focus primarily on student performance and attitude, with little attention toward potential inequity in student participation. Our study adds to the current literature on introducing molecular visualization technology in biochemistry classrooms by examining the potential inequity in a group activity mediated by AR technology. Adapting the participatory equity framework to our specific context, we view equity and inequity in terms of access to the technological conversational floor, a social space created when people enter technology‐mediated joint endeavors. We explore three questions: What are the different ways students interact with an AR model of the potassium channel? What are salient patterns of participation that may signify inequity in classroom technology use? What is the interplay between group social dynamics and the introduction of AR technology in the context of a technology‐mediated group activity? Pairing qualitative analysis with quantitative metrics, our mixed‐methods approach produced a complex story of student participation in an AR‐mediated group activity. The patterns of student participation showed that equity and inequity in an AR‐mediated biochemistry group learning activity are fluid and multifaceted. It was observed that students who gave more explanations during group discussion also had more interactions with the AR model (i.e., they had greater access to the technological conversational floor), and their opinion of the AR model may have greater influence on how their group engage with the AR model. This study provides more nuanced ways of conceptualizing equity and inequity in biochemistry learning settings.

One-person armies: the border-crossing Taiwanese native-language teachers in technology-rich classrooms

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore native-language teachers’ efforts in technology-rich classrooms. The advancement of classroom technology and educational policies in Taiwan prompted native-language teachers to leverage technology that improved learning and instruction in native languages. Fifteen senior teachers participated in in-depth interviews and shared their observations and teaching experiences. Results showed that native-language teachers, while working mostly alone, leveraged technology as learning scaffolds, show-and-tells, and tools for mastery. However, teachers struggled with approaching, smoothing out, and stabilizing the use of technology in classrooms due to the marginal availability of both subject matter and technological content. The researchers examined the teachers’ experiences in the light of border pedagogy, where teachers in marginalized subjects such as native languages must accommodate, connect, and empower themselves and learners by using culturally aware technologies. Clearly, both native-language education and assisted technology should move beyond the function of transmission and technician.