The Beginning

Understanding the Needs

Step 1: Needs Analysis

Excel Spreadsheet.xlsx

The Survey

Prior to beginning our coursework, we took a survey designed by Dr. Warr to gather data about technology use among educators. The survey was shared with colleagues, administrators, technology leaders, and curriculum designers to gain insight into their experiences with technology intergration and how those experiences could be improved upon.

Are You Interested Yet?

Survey Analysis

What was surprising? Un-surprising?

One fact I found un-surprising is that fewer teachers were comfortable with using spreadsheets. A lot of programs teachers typically use already have the ability to compile data reports for them so the need to use a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets may not be necessary.

What seems most important or significant?

The Majority of teachers had 0-5 years of experience.
Most taught Language, Science, and Math.
The majority of teachers teach at public schools. There were even a few that taught at charter schools.
A lot of teachers use their mobile devices for non work-related technology use.
A lot of teachers use Facebook for non work-related use.
The majority of teachers use Google or Google apps for work and/or in their classrooms
The majority of students use laptops. (A lot of schools were able to move to a 1:1 device ratio due to the pandemic.)
Students use technology most to communicate, create documents, access news/information, and to learn new skills.
The primary LMS used is Google Classroom.
Teachers seem relatively comfortable with using technology in the classroom for a multitude of things, except gaming.
Teachers believe using technology in the classroom makes teaching easier and learning more enjoyable.
Teachers believe that using technology enhances teaching and learning.

What are the primary needs you see based on the survey results?

There seems to be a need for reliable internet and reliable technology, as well as, more PD on technology use and integration.

What was interesting, insightful, etc?

Technology was seen as a bit of a double edged sword, as it can be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes teachers are expected to use technology without the proper training or reliable devices.
Many teachers were comfortable with using technology, but not necessarily when it came to helping colleagues learn new technology programs.
There were not many responses from teachers in private schools.
There were a few administrative responses, along with a few responses from paraprofessionals.

Summarizing the Needs

While investigating the views, feelings, and needs of teachers regarding technology use in their classrooms, I came to the conclusion that the majority of teachers were relatively comfortable with incorporating technology on a regular basis. The types of technology used varied among teachers depending on their level of expertise, experience, and access to devices, but all took advantage of some sort of technology to enhance teaching and learning.

The research articles I studied revealed that using technology could have a positive impact on student engagement and motivation that otherwise would not be possible using existing methods. While the survey analysis revealed that more training opportunities are needed to fully prepare teachers to successfully use technology in their classrooms.

More equity is needed to ensure that teachers and students have access to reliable technology that levels the playing field among schools and school districts. The teacher interview gave me some insight into how a newer teacher with less experience viewed technology use in the classroom. While relatively comfortable, she still saw it as somewhat intimidating, especially when trying to use it with little learners. Having reliable devices, proper technology training, and assistance with implementation of technology were the primary concerns.

Based on all of the information I collected I was able to create a persona to reflect this experience. My collective analysis showed that teachers need more support with technology implementation and integration that supports and enhances their best practices and thereby allows them to modify their teaching pedagogy to adapt to the technological advancements in education.

Step 2: Learner Analysis

Teacher Interview

Below is a brief description of some of the answers I received to questions asked during the interview:

Background information (experience, education, school characteristics)

LSU Grad
3 years teaching Elementary

Describe how it feels when students are learning.

It feels like together we are on a hike. Sometimes the path is smooth and short with a cool breeze. There are also moments of learning that feel like a long and rough hike that requires a lot more energy to reach the end. Either way, we keep moving forward.

What does it feel like when you use technology tools in your classroom?

Using technology tools in the classroom gives me a feeling of ease. I also believe it allows the students to experience the feelings of control and independence in the classroom.

Tell me about a time you used a new technology and it worked.

A new technology tool that I have used that has benefited my instruction is my wireless clicker mouse. It has allowed me to walk my room while also controlling the pace of the lesson that I am presenting.

Tell me about a time you used a new technology and it didn't work.

There are sometimes technology issues when the internet is down or the projector bulb is malfunctioning.

What role does a teacher play in learning?

A teacher's role in learning is to model, guide and monitor student growth. We allow students to take control of their own learning by modeling skills, guiding them through their independent practice and monitoring their growth.

What role does technology play in learning?

Technology provides a visual representation for students to reference when learning. It can also promote independent learning that engages students and encourages students to take ownership in their learning.

What types of digital technologies do you use in your classroom?

Wireless Clicker Mouse
Projector
Document Camera
Desktop computers & Chromebooks
Amazon Echo Dot

How do you select tools to use?

I select tools based on availability and the lesson I want to teach.

What problems do you run into when you use digital technologies?

There is sometimes a lack of PD training and the access to newer devices.

Based on the responses I recieved, the teacher I interview seemed pretty confident in her ability to intergrate technology into her lessons. She enjoys using technology whenever she can to enhance her lessons and to improve student engagement. The main problem she noted was the lack of PD and training available to teachers on how to utilize and implement technology into their instruction. There is also an issue with having access to updated technology, especially for the younger students who are often given older technology as compared to older upper grade students.

In conducting this interview, I learned that while this teacher is comfortable using technology on a daily basis, she lacks access to adequate training on technology and software programs that could further enhance her lessons. I would like to continue to keep in touch and follow up with her regarding her access to technology PDs. One way I feel I could help is by connecting her to online forums for teachers seeking training on technology utilization and intergration in the classroom.

Empathy Map

User Persona

Using the information collected during the teacher interview, along with data from the technology survey, I was able to develop the user persona of "Ms. Norbury", a first grade teacher from South Louisiana. The persona outlines her pedagogical and technology beliefs, as well as any barriers to technology use in her classroom.

Based on her profile, school context, and professional information, I determinded that teachers needed more technology-based professional development support to improve the ways in which they integrate personalized interactive learning technology into their teaching practices.

Exploring the Problem

Step 3: Problem Framing

Original Problem Statement & KWL Chart

Attempt #1

Original Problem Statement: My collective analysis showed that teachers need more support with technology implementation and integration that supports and enhances their best practices and thereby allows them to modify their teaching pedagogy to adapt to the technological advancements in education.

Reframing the Original Problem Statement: Teachers need professional development support to improve the ways in which they integrate technology into their teaching practices.

Refined Problem Statement & New KWL Chart

Feedback from Dr. Warr: "See if you can refine your problem statement to something more specific--what type of professional development support? Integrate technology how?"

Attempt #2:

Refining the Reframed Problem Statement: Teachers need technology-based professional development support to improve the ways in which they integrate personalized interactive learning technology into their teaching practices.

Step 4: Content Analysis

ISTE Standard & Resource Summary

1. NEW Problem Statement: Teachers need technology-based professional development support to improve the ways in which they integrate personalized interactive learning technology into their teaching practices.

2. Selected Standard: Review the ISTE Standards for Educators and select a standard you think aligns with your problem statement.

1 LEARNER - 1a Set professional learning goals to explore and apply pedagogical approaches made possible by technology and reflect on their effectiveness.

3. Key Terms & Definitions: Learn about, test and add into regular practice a variety of proven, promising and emerging learning strategies with technology.

This suggests that teachers would engage in learning about best practices involving technology integration that fosters learning through the use of technology-based learning strategies.

4. External Resource Summary: The Pedagogy of Technology Integration

This article explores the ways in which teachers and educational professionals define “technology integration” as it relates to pedagogical practices. It focuses on the idea that technology should be used to enhance learning and should not be thought of as a separate entity. Pedagogical principles must be examined prior to implementation of technology tools to ensure that the lessons taught properly incorporate the correct technology hardware and software for the tasks in question. It relates to ISTE standard Learner 1a because it encourages educators to explore their existing pedagogical practices and modify them to incorporate technology in an effective manner. The content is broken down into three main categories. They are as follows: The Scope of Instructional Technology, Problems of Technology Integration, and Relationship between Technology in Education and Pedagogy. Each outlines some of the current views on what teachers think about technology and alternative views on best practices, common issues, and pedagogical relationships involving technology. I learned that one of the main reasons that some teachers struggle with technology integration is because technology is often seen as an afterthought or a means to an end rather than the core of how a lesson can be taught, delivered, and designed. One shouldn’t plan the lesson and then integrate technology afterwards. Technology should be woven into the curriculum through backwards design with extensive thought and consideration shown to the type of technology and its intended audience and use.

The Problem

After completing the first four steps in the design process, I had developed a slightly better understanding of the type of technology needs of educators and the depth of that need.

Teachers have not been provided the amount technology-based training needed to successfully implement and incorporate technology programs into their curriculum and best practices. This prevented them from utilizing district-wide technology programs, specifically the personalized learning aspects, with fidelity and consistancy.

So what now?

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