"Technology, Knowledge and Learning"

Fokides, Emmanuel; Chachlaki, Foteini

doi: 10.1007/s10758-019-09409-6pmid: N/A

The study presents the results from a project in which a 3D multi-user virtual environment was used for informing students on issues related to the protection of the Mediterranean monk seal. The target group was 326, 10–12-years old students divided into three groups. The first one was taught using printed material, the second used a web-based application, and the third used the virtual environment. Data were collected by means of evaluation sheets and three questionnaires for recording students' views and attitudes. The third group of students had better learning outcomes compared to the first, but the results were inconclusive compared to the second. Then again, the MUVE had a notable impact on students' attitudes toward seals compared to the other tools. As for attitudes toward eco problems, the outcomes were better only compared to the first group. Moreover, fun and an increased motivation for learning were evident in the third group but co-existed with significant problems related to the use of the virtual environment. The findings point to the need for further examination of the use of multi-user virtual environments for raising the awareness of environmental issues.

Kaplon-Schilis, Aleksandra; Lyublinskaya, Irina

doi: 10.1007/s10758-019-09404-xpmid: N/A

This long-term single group study was conducted with pre-service special education elementary teachers taking a required graduate level course on integrating technology into mathematics and science instruction in a New York City public University. The purpose of this study was to explore whether Technological Knowledge (TK), Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), Content Knowledge in mathematics and science (CKM and CKS) and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) are independent constructs in the TPACK framework and to develop instruments for assessment of each basic domain of the theoretical TPACK framework. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the developed instruments suggest that the TPACK construct is independent from TK, PK, CKM and CKS. Further analysis using multiple linear regression showed that TK, PK, and CK are not predictors of TPACK. These findings provide an opportunity for independent assessment of different types of teacher knowledge defined by the TPACK framework. This could help teacher preparation programs to evaluate effectiveness of courses that prepare teachers for integration of technology.

Lameu, Paula

doi: 10.1007/s10758-019-09411-ypmid: N/A

The purpose of this study was to discuss the influence of the use of tablets and mobile learning in post-secondary education and their impact on the emotions and affects felt by a teacher and students and on their identity constitution. Assemblage theory was the onto-epistemological perspective in which this investigation was grounded, and assemblage ethnography was the methodology used to collect data. An ethnographic account was provided based on what was observed during lessons, and was analysed using the concepts of emotions, affects and subjectivation. Findings indicated that no contradictory emotions and affects emerged as a result of the actions and interactions of components in the assemblage. There was a smooth relationship among human components, influencing the way they see each other and their roles. However, regarding human and non-human components, the affects and emotions that emerged impacted each other, causing tensions between these components.

Jung, Sung Eun; Lee, Kyunghwa; Cherniak, Shara; Cho, Eunji

doi: 10.1007/s10758-018-9394-8pmid: N/A

This case study focused on the robotics learning process of Mark (a pseudonym), a Latino-American second grader diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Drawing on Polanyi’s (Personal knowledge: towards a post-critical philosophy [Kindle version], 1958/2015) notion of “tacit knowing” and “dwelling in tools,” we attempted to understand Mark’s unique processes and ways of engaging in learning about a Light Sensor by pursuing two research questions: (a) How does Mark, with his unique behavioral and socio-emotional characteristics, engage in the robotics class? (b) What insights can we gain from his inquiry as we develop responsive robotics education? Findings revealed that Mark used a non-sequential inquiry process filled with repetitive free explorations and unexpected expanded inquiries about the Light Sensor. This non-sequential inquiry process highlighted that dwelling with robotic manipulatives was Mark’s distinct ways of exploring the Light Sensor. His non-sequential inquiry process emerged from his tacit engagement and expanded to his sophisticated and holistic understanding of the Light Sensor. We discuss implications for a robotics education program that is responsive to young children with diverse needs and characteristics.

Pérez-Vázquez, Elena; Lorenzo, Gonzalo; Lledó, Asunción; Lorenzo-Lledó, Alejandro

doi: 10.1007/s10758-019-09415-8pmid: N/A

Irruption of technologies in the educational context, specifically robotics has meant changes in the use of learning tools for students with ASD. In this sense, the inclusion of robots in intervention with these students allowed to design simpler and more controlled learning environments, adjusted to the needs of these students. From this line of research, the main of this study has been to realize a systematic and thematic review providing a state-of-art review about the use of robots as a tool for social interaction with ASD students using some variables such as instrument, features of the participants, aim of the research, results, developed activities, worked areas. Therefore, a bibliometric study has been applied through the Web of Science (WOS). The advanced search with keywords on the subject, object of study, ended with 13 publications which were adjusted to previously established criteria such as age of the participants (between 2 and 16 years), purpose of articles (academic) or the years of publication (between the years 2005 and 2017). The results have showed, according to the established variables, an evolution of the scientific production, being year 2017 the most productive and observing that, in general lines, the prototypes of recent robots have more work options. The conclusions, in line with previous studies, show that robots have been used in the intervention with children with ASD being more used and effective as a tool to promote communicative interaction while there is no evidence of intervention in curricular contents, what may indicate its effectiveness in this area and transfer future studies to other areas.

Spiteri, Marthese; Chang Rundgren, Shu-Nu

doi: 10.1007/s10758-018-9376-xpmid: N/A

Digital technology is widely available in schools; however, results from international studies indicate that they are not effective toward students’ educational achievement. Teachers need to realise the potential of digital technology in their daily practises and use them well. However, teachers need training and guidelines to develop their expertise when using technology for teaching and learning. Failure to do so might result in students lacking the necessary coping skills for their future life in the information age. This literature review aimed to find out what factors affect primary teachers’ use of digital technology in their teaching practices, so as to suggest better training, which will eventually lead to a more guided and relevant use of technology in education. After applying the concept map to the data from the selected studies, four influencing factors were identified: teachers’ knowledge, attitudes and skills, which are also influenced by and influence the school culture. From these findings, recommendations on teacher training with technology and suggestions for further research are given.

Puhala, Jeffrey J.

doi: 10.1007/s10758-018-9370-3pmid: N/A

K-12 teachers participate in formal professional development programs to improve the art of teaching and learning. This qualitative study explored the experiences of elementary educators as they implemented their newly acquired blended learning skills in the classroom. Analysis of the results revealed how teachers understand and make meaning of a professional development training program experience. After formal professional development programs, district level administrators failed to support K-6 professionals who desired change at the classroom level, therefore undermining their efforts to grow. Findings point to recommendations for improving district-wide professional development programs.

Sangkawetai, Cheeraporn; Neanchaleay, Jariya; Koul, Ravinder; Murphy, Elizabeth

doi: 10.1007/s10758-018-9373-0pmid: N/A

The goal of this study is to identify the relationship between K-12 teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, classroom goal structure and use of instructional strategies. The study also aims to determine if there is variance in the relationship between these constructs for primary versus secondary school teachers. Data collection involved completion of a self-report survey by 810 primary and secondary school teachers in Thailand. Results revealed that personal and ICT teaching self-efficacy directly predicted both mastery and performance classroom goal structures for K-12 teachers. Mastery classroom goal structure predicted deep learning. Performance classroom goal structure predicted surface learning. ICT teaching self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of teachers’ instructional strategies with ICTs. Results also revealed that primary teachers’ performance classroom goal structure was positively associated with the use of deep-learning strategies with ICTs and student-centered learning with ICTs. In contrast, for secondary teachers, mastery classroom goal structure was positively associated with student-centered learning with ICTs, whereas both mastery and performance classroom goal structures were positively associated with the use of deep-learning strategies with ICTs. Results of this study suggest that classroom goal structure may be different for ICT classrooms than for regular classrooms. Implications relate to the need to help teachers design ICT activities that reflect both performance and mastery classroom goal structures.

Yildiz Durak, Hatice

doi: 10.1007/s10758-018-9391-ypmid: N/A

The aim of this research is to determine the effects of Scratch and Alice tools and programming teaching practices on student engagement, reflective thinking and problem-solving skills and computational thinking (CT) comparatively. A quasi-experimental design was used in the research and patterns with pretest–posttest control group were chosen for the variables. The study group was compromised of 110 students at 5th grade in 2016 spring semester. 1st and 2nd groups of Computing Technologies Course have been assigned objectively. Alice programming tool was preferred in the learning process of the 1st experimental group, whereas, Scratch programming tool was utilised in the 2nd study group during application process which lasted for 8 weeks. Results of the research show that programming teaching with Scratch has affected engagement and reflective thinking skills of the students for problem solving more positively than Alice. It has been stated that teaching with Alice affects skills related to CT of the students positively. Furthermore, some recommendations have been made for the future researches.

Hembre, Oda J.; Warth, Line Lundvoll

doi: 10.1007/s10758-019-09405-wpmid: N/A

iPads have become increasingly popular as tools for teaching in early education. With their multifaceted and interactive affordances as handheld and mobile devices, they have been ascribed great potential to change and expand on classroom practice. However, the iPad often becomes just another technology hype in education, and explanations often point to teachers’ and schools’ lack of technical know-how and ability to utilise the devices’ affordances. In this qualitative case study, we explore how teachers organise and practise iPads in two different classrooms. Classroom observations and interviews with the teachers were conducted to enrich our knowledge about the complexities of iPad use in teaching and to strengthen the knowledge of how different settings produce different iPad practices. Using an actor–network theory approach, the study suggests that iPads are not simply put into use, but enacted through fluid, heterogeneous assemblages of human and non-human actors in the classroom. The iPad’s affordances, such as mobility, are performed rather than inherent qualities of the devices themselves, and the classroom becomes a mishmash of fostering and hindering mobile practices.