Increasing the Amount of Technology Training to Help Effectively Use Technology in the Learning Proc

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Increasing the Amount of Technology Training to
Help Effectively Use Technology in the Learning
Process
James P. Hollis University of Phoenix EDD/576 Rona
ld P. Davis, EdD March 30, 2005
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Problem Description

• Teachers lack the training and experience to
  effectively incorporate technology to aid in the
  learning process
• Teachers are not provided with adequate support
  systems to utilize technology
• Teachers are not informed about professional
  development resources related to educational
  technology
• State does not require teachers to have minimum
  qualifications in the use of technology

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Problem Documentation

• A district-wide needs assessment revealed
• The average teacher has minimal experience in
  basic technology skills
• The average teacher has no experience using
  technology in the learning process
• Teachers do not use digital media in the learning
  process

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Problem Documentation
Scale 1 No Experience 2 Minimal Experience 3
Experienced 4 Extensive Experience
Overall Average 1.8
Averages based on 36 teachers participating in
the research study
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Problem Documentation

• Only four teachers have taken a formal technology
  training in the past two years
• District has provided only one technology-related
  workshop in the past two years
• Leadership admits that technology integration is
  not a priority
• No formal support structures are in place to help
  teachers integrate technology
• Majority of teachers have negative view of
  technology due to lack of meaningful support in
  the past

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Description of Work Setting
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Work Setting Learning Goals

• It is the mission of the district to acknowledge
  the importance of and to foster the following
  basic goals
• All students will demonstrate a minimum of one
  year of academic growth in reading, math, and
  writing each year
• The district student assessment scores on the
  AIMS and achievement test will improve 10 yearly
• Every child will be reading at grade level by the
  third grade
• All teachers will participate in high quality,
  on-going professional development training
• The school district will provide many
  opportunities for parents to participate in their
  childs education

• All teachers will participate in high quality,
  on-going professional development training

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Description of Population

• Small copper mining community with 32 of total
  population at poverty level
• 76 of student population eligible for state free
  lunch program
• 60 student households do not have Internet
  access
• Average teacher salary 35,000

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Solution Strategies

• Develop online Informational Support System to
  support teacher technology integration
  initiatives
• Develop and facilitate technology workshops based
  on teacher needs assessment survey
• Co-facilitate and/or model effective use of
  technology for other teachers
• Provide just-in-time technology support for
  teachers using technology

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Solution Goal
Increased Training and Experience Related to
Effectively Integrating Technology into the
Learning Process
Provide online technology Informational Support
System
Develop and facilitate technology workshops
Co-facilitate and/or model effective use of
technology
Provide just-in-time technology support
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Expected Outcomes

• All 36 teachers will participate in at least five
  hours of professional development training
  related to using technology
• All 36 teachers will create and facilitate at
  least two technology-based lesson plans
• All 36 teachers will increase their ability to
  use educational technology

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Results Attendance
158
total number of technology training hours for all
teachers
50 of teachers met goal of five or more hours of
training
The average number of technology training hours
per teacher
4.4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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Results Lesson Plan
total number of technology-based lessons created
by teachers
49
39 of teachers created two or more
technology-based lessons
One out of three teachers did not create and
facilitate a technology-based lesson plan
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Results Increased Skills
Initial Survey
Final Survey
Teacher Technology Skills Improved in Each
Category
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Analysis of Results

• Teachers gave the following reasons for not
  meeting study objectives
• Not enough time to attend training or create
  customized lessons
• Did not believe technology would significantly
  increase learning
• Did not know how to apply training to actual
  learning situation

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Recommendations for Change

• Provide additional prep time for teachers to
  experiment and develop technology-based lesson
  plans
• Provide additional in-service time allocated to
  technology training
• Require a minimum number of technology-based
  lessons be developed by each teacher
• Create student support system to provide support
  and assistance to teachers
• Increase encouragement from administration

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Future Research

• Actively seek the support of school
  administration and get commitments
• Ensure all stakeholders are involved in the
  decision-making process from the beginning
• Communicate project information on a weekly basis
  using multiple methods

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Feedback

• What results were most surprising?
• Should project be expanded or continued?
• Does project support district mission statement?
• Additional Comments/Questions?

Thank you!