"Technology, Pedagogy and Education"

Friedman, Alon

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2017.1408490pmid: N/A

AbstractGrowing interest in Big Data is leading industries, academics and governments to accelerate Big Data research. However, how teachers should teach Big Data has not been fully examined. This article suggests criteria for redesigning Big Data syllabi in public and private degree-awarding higher education establishments. The author conducted a survey of 35 Big Data syllabi across different academic institutions in the USA using Palmer, Bach, and Streifer’s rubric criteria. The role of syllabi in higher education has an established tradition in summarising topics covered in a single course and textbook, and in referencing the instructor’s resources. Yet, despite the central role of course resources, the present study did not find a common textbook. The majority of resources referenced were academic articles and blog postings used by the instructors and other professionals in the field. Based on Palmer et al.’s score rubric, this study found that many of the syllabi broke down the main ideas of Big Data into smaller content items using interpretations of the instructor’s subject knowledge. The study recommends that Big Data instructors need to provide a better breakdown of each component of the syllabus to reflect a clear understanding of grades and resources available on the subject. Future studies also need to examine students’ expectations of those classes.

Burke, Paul F.; Schuck, Sandy; Aubusson, Peter; Kearney, Matthew; Frischknecht, Bart

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2017.1387602pmid: N/A

AbstractThis research examines how the pedagogical orientations of teachers affect technology adoption in the classroom. At the same time, the authors account for the stage of concern that teachers are experiencing regarding the use of the technology, their access to the technology and the level of schooling at which they teach.The authors’ investigation of these factors occurs in the context of a contemporary technology, the interactive whiteboard (IWB), in Australian schools. A structural equation model was estimated using a reflective measure of technology usage with antecedents in the form of pedagogical-oriented beliefs and best–worst scaling derived scores for a teacher’s stage of concern regarding IWBs. Teachers with constructivist-oriented pedagogical beliefs were significantly more likely to use IWBs than transmission-oriented teachers. However, the strongest determinant of usage was whether the technology is immediately accessible or not.

Pareja Roblin, Natalie; Tondeur, Jo; Voogt, Joke; Bruggeman, Bram; Mathieu, Griet; van Braak, Johan

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2017.1414714pmid: N/A

AbstractThe unique characteristics of tablet PCs promise important benefits for education. Yet, little is known about the rationale underlying teachers’ decisions concerning their educational uses within the constraints of daily classroom practice. The current multiple case study investigated the practical considerations informing nine secondary school teachers’ decision-making processes regarding the use of tablet PCs. Stimulated recall interviews revealed 10 criteria underpinning teachers’ instructional decisions. Four criteria influenced the degree of congruence with teachers’ previous practices: familiarity, alignment with course content, opportunities to achieve (new) instructional goals efficiently, and compatibility with established pedagogical beliefs. Costs and benefits of tablet PCs were determined in terms of educational added value, lesson preparation requirements and potential disruptions to the learning environment. Finally, access to a solid technology infrastructure, supportive school policies and knowledge of how to effectively integrate tablet PCs with course content were identified as important pre-conditions for sustainable implementation. Overall, the results suggest that practical concerns constitute a critical element in teachers’ decision making, influencing not only teachers’ intention to adopt tablet PCs, but also the ways in which they use this technology to support instruction.

Burke, Anne; Hughes, Janette

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2017.1396492pmid: N/A

AbstractAs technology becomes a larger part of people’s everyday lives, it is logical to think that it should also become a part of the learning process. The use of tablets in classrooms is becoming an area of interest as researchers are trying to understand what the benefits are – if any – to using these devices. This article gives an overview of some of the recent literature related to the benefits and challenges associated with the use of tablets with students in middle schools. Prevalent themes include the benefits of using tablets with students who have learning disabilities, and the challenges that can arise in the classroom, specifically issues of safety and security, access to apps and disruptive behaviours when using these devices. The authors share qualitative case studies of two teachers who have used tablets extensively with their students and discuss how their experiences resonate with the literature. The authors conclude with a summary of the affordances and constraints of using tablets with students who have special needs and offer workable solutions for some of the challenges educators face when using these devices.

McGarr, Oliver; Gavaldon, Guillermina

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2018.1429950pmid: N/A

AbstractInformation and communications technology (ICT) now plays a prominent role in pre-service teacher education programmes across the globe. Despite this emphasis, research indicates that pre-service teachers’ use of ICT is often less than expected, even though they express positive opinions of its benefits. This study aimed to explore pre-service teachers’ views of ICT and consider the function of their expressed opinions. This longitudinal study, using one-to-one semi-structured interviews, was conducted with pre-service teachers on entry and on completion of a one-year Masters programme in Spain. The pre-service teachers held quite traditional views of teaching and learning, presenting teaching in an either–or manner – either ICT supported or non-ICT supported. They also spoke positively about ICT while simultaneously expressing reservations about it. The article argues that these contradictory positions may be a result of the need to navigate two competing environments, the higher education institution and the practicum school, where expectations of ICT use may differ. The article explores this performative function of their talk.

Lawlor, John; Conneely, Claire; Oldham, Elizabeth; Marshall, Kevin; Tangney, Brendan

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2017.1405066pmid: N/A

AbstractThere have been calls for decades by many educational writers and commentators for a new model of learning to facilitate what is generally described as twenty-first-century learning. Central to this challenge is the required shift in responsibility for who leads and owns the learning – from teacher to student. Such a shift requires a pragmatic pedagogical model to facilitate the transfer of control and ownership of learning. Vygotsky’s ‘more able other’ identified the peer as a key figure in learning. Teamwork facilitates project-based learning and, when mediated with technology, proves an effective partner in creating an engaging and autonomous learning experience. This paper describes the rationale for the design of a team-based model of twenty-first-century learning, particularly drawing upon the team-based learning model of the World Scout Movement. Results from a year-long study of the implementation of the model in an out-of-school context with 288 second-level students are presented. The authors argue that Bridge21 is a candidate learning model for effective, implementable, twenty-first-century, team-based learning.

Turula, Anna

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2017.1370388pmid: N/A

AbstractThe article investigates a system of academic education called tutoring implemented in a blended format. It looks at this teaching and learning experience based on the results of a student satisfaction survey (N = 9) as well as the analysis of the discourse between the tutor and six tutees recorded during four meetings: two traditional and two cloud tutorials. It is argued here that the blended format is a good solution which enables the two modes to reinforce each other and compensate for each other’s deficiencies. By offering more interaction and establishing good rapport, the face-to-face meetings develop social presence. In turn, cognitive presence is stronger in the online tutorials, in which the students appear to have reached higher levels of critical thinking. What is more, these two types of tutorials appear to pave the way for each other.

Kärki, Tomi; Keinänen, Heli; Tuominen, Anu; Hoikkala, Marianna; Matikainen, Eila; Maijala, Hanna

doi: 10.1080/1475939X.2018.1430061pmid: N/A

AbstractThe authors consider the use of mobile learning environment ActionTrack in teacher education. Pre-service class teachers’ (N = 277) experiences of the mobile learning environment were measured with a 7-point Likert-scale questionnaire based on seven attributes of meaningful learning. Students’ ratings for different attributes were analysed quantitatively. The authors conclude that, based on this analysis, it is possible to create meaningful learning experiences using ActionTrack. All the measured attributes of meaningful learning obtained positive values. In the mobile learning events of this study, three attributes arose as the essential features: mobile learning in the outdoors was primarily considered collaborative, active and contextual.