This ethnographic research study investigated three elementary teachers' perceived self-efficacy beliefs and their attitudes toward mobile technologyenhanced instruction. Using technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) as a guiding theory, the authors sought to determine whether and how the three knowledge components that form the foundation of the TPACK framework-technological, pedagogical or content knowledgehave similar levels of influence on teachers' language arts teaching practices. They also examined how each teacher incorporated iPad technologically enhanced pedagogical practices and made connections to their beliefs about the role of technology and education. Data collection consisted of classroom observation field notes, teacher interviews and teacher blogs. Findings reveal that the teachers' attitudes toward the integration of iPad technology formed a basis for how they approached their pedagogy. Compared to their technological and content knowledge, teachers' pedagogical knowledge and years of teaching experience strongly influenced their decisions regarding mobile technology integration. By the end of the study, all teachers identified stronger connections and awareness in relation to the components of TPACK. The implications of these findings will provide insight relevant to the development of professional development opportunities for teachers regarding TPACK that could ultimately lead to more successful technology integration by teachers.
This article profiles the use of the iPad (a tablet) in classroom literacy activities in three different instructional environments in different parts of the world: Toronto, Canada; San Diego, United States; and Sydney, Australia. This two-year, qualitative study included observational fieldwork filming students' interactions with tablets in the midst of literacy events. Students in each context used the iPads to make meaning, with the participating classroom teachers affording their students some degree of self-determination with respect to technology use. We describe these three instructional environments and illustrate how these diverse landscapes reflected a variety of ecologies or models that contributed inherently to the nature of learning on the iPads. We describe our findings that show how context and environment allow for different kinds of learning and that may elucidate the array of learning potential afforded with this device.
On September 22, 2011, Sharan Merriam visited Brock University to give a Distinguished Speaker Lecture entitled "Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities for Adult Education." Based on her research about the future of adult education within a global context, Merriam’s lecture sets the tone for this special issue on the impact of globalization for adult education and higher education. Merriam (2010) unpacked the phenomenon of globalization, connected it to the knowledge economy, and situated it within a contemporary, political, social, cultural, and educational context. Merriam (2010) highlighted the need for consideration of the trends and trajectories in adult education related to globalization as "adult education does not occur in a vacuum" (p. 408). She emphasized the need to consider research on lifelong learning that has been impacted by global education. Merriam’s work further highlighted the need for the sharing of knowledge among international educators in a global context.
Computer simulation educational technologies provide a convenient way of augmenting learning. Simulation technologies have been used and researched in higher education classrooms in fields such as medicine (e.g: Al-Elq, 2010), nursing (Kim, Park & Shin, 2016), and chemistry (Cheng, 2017), among others. The University of Colorado Boulder has created a large number of Physics Education Technology (PhET) computer simulations relevant to concepts in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science and Mathematics. These PhETs have been studied in relation to teaching in elementary and secondary schooling (i.e. Hensberry, Moore, Perkins, 2015). However, there is a notable gap in the literature that speaks to the connection of simulation based technologies, learning theories, and pedagogy in practice relation to teaching Physics in higher education. This action research study seeks address that gap by exploring the role of the specific and intentional inclusion of Physics Education Technology (PhET) in the curriculum and teaching practice of an undergraduate Physics class in a Canadian university. Findings centre on the theme of teaching practice change, and discovery that PhETs have value as a more capable peer in relation to Vygotsky’s (1978) zone of proximal development.
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