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This article examines whether teachers properly utilize technology in their classrooms, despite their level of technological competency, and how to better prepare teachers to use technology in the classroom. First, this study found that teachers are often not properly taught how to teach with technology and, as a result, often do not properly implement technology into their classrooms. It was then found that teachers who went through "hands-on activities in a collaborative, non-threatening environment", such as schooling or professional development training, on how to better understand and utilize technology within the classroom became more comfortable with technology and almost unanimously moved towards using it within their classrooms.

Using iPads in the classroom has been helpful reading Hamlet. Shakespeare is difficult to understand, but students can get help accessing No Fear Shakespeare on their iPads.

I have the same problems Khader in trying to integrate Chromebooks as much as possible. I constantly feel that it is a struggle to get their attention and maintain it especially if they are convinced they should be allowed to "multitask" between the assignment and a game, but in the end the resources I am able to integrate in is well worth those struggles.

I agree with the problem of technology in the hands of students can often be distracting. The temptation to play games, search google, and social media is huge. It is so difficult to find a balance in a less than ideal world. My hope is that the earlier we introduce technology in the classroom, the novelty will wear off by the higher grades. Even with controls on wifi and devices, students are so tech savvy, they find ways around it.

A study into how iPads were perceived by teachers and implemented in a school. This link might be better. Not sure. http://www.worldcat.org.library.esc.edu/title/an-analysis-of-teachers-processes-of-technology-appropriation-in-classroom/oclc/5882295313&referer=brief_results

Interesting article and so relevant to what I, and so many others, face in the classroom every day. I feel that the initial implementation of iPad distribution (or any technology) should not be rushed just to get it out there. Teachers need to be properly educated and be comfortable using that technology. In addition, any technology should contain all necessary software or applications ready to use before distribution. One other issue that often goes over looked is the wifi in the building. If the wifi in the building is not strong or cannot support a high number of users simultaneously, how can it be used effectively in the classroom?

"Not every classroom can get a laptop every day, so [devices like smartphones], even if you have to pair up, become something useful for teachers," Halla says. "The number of kids with phones has just been blown out of the water the last couple of years," he adds. This is an interesting take on the use of smart devices in learning. Being at an institution where we still have 30+ computer classrooms and over 250 open access computers - 100 of which are 24/7/365 access - I wonder what the future of these sorts of labs hold for students and whether they will even be a part of their learning process.

From the abstract: 'Also, though there have been large investments made to integrate technology into K-12 classrooms to equip students with the skills needed to prepare for college and a career, the practical use of this investment has not been impressive. Lastly, several meta-analyses showed promising results of effectiveness of technology in the classroom. However, several inherent methodological and study design issues dampen the amount of variance that technology accounts for."

Digital divide[1], participation gap[2], cultural divide[3]: over the decades the language of equity issues in technology have shifted along with the technology. This shifting language reflects the way we view technology and our relationships with it. What hasn't changed is the challenge that these terms highlight-that some individuals have greater access to technology, both inside and outside the classroom.

ABSTRACT: The teaching of digital literacies is regarded as an important facet of literacy teaching in the 21st century. With many literacy tests continuing to indicate that students' levels of achievement tend to be differentiated along socioeconomic lines, it seems timely to consider the connections between home and school and how these play out in relation to digital literacies. This is particularly important in light of the considerable evidence that has demonstrated how important home-school connections are in ensuring improved traditional literacy outcomes for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. With these points in mind, this article reports on an investigation into the usage of digital technologies in two middle-years classrooms in low socioeconomic suburbs in a regional Australian city. Using a range of ethnographic techniques, the study explored two teachers' approaches to teaching students how to use digital technologies in one school term. Through snapshots of digital practices in the two classrooms, three issues are considered: teachers' pedagogical approaches; students' access to digital technologies at home and at school; and the teachers' recognition of students' prior knowledge of digital technologies. The article concludes by reflecting on the need for teachers to draw on the digital literacies that students are using in their out-of-school lives, to make bridges to school learning and thus address the challenge of preparing students to be literate in the 21st Century.

The conflict between keeping students safe and interfering with educations. Explains the CIPA act but also how some inappropriate content still comes through the filters. Some schools use a variety of methods to prevent the dangers of the web from infiltrating the classroom, including acceptable use policies, internet filtering software or a combination of both.

The conflict between keeping students safe and interfering with educations. Explains the CIPA act but also how some inappropriate content still comes through the filters. Some schools use a variety of methods to prevent the dangers of the web from infiltrating the classroom, including acceptable use policies, internet filtering software or a combination of both.

In this article, Taylor examines what, if any, benefit technology has on achievement in the classroom. This analysis looks not only at the way that students benefit, but also how teachers benefit from additional classroom technology. It was shown that their lesson plans became more engaging, able to reach more students, and are more easily tracked and analyzed when utilizing technology. When technology was used more within a classroom, the achievement of the students went up significantly, helping to close the educational gap between rural or poor schools and wealthier schools.

Pros to online resources in the classroom. How online writing after an extensive reading can be positive for students

Ho, A. D., Reich, J., Nesterko, S., Seaton, D. T., Mullaney, T., Waldo, J., & Chuang, I. (2014). HarvardX and MITx: The first year of open online courses (HarvardX and MITx Working Paper No. 1). Retrieved from http://ssrn.com/abstract=2381263 The report analyzes in detail the interaction between the students and courses and draws conclusions based on the findings and suggests further research. One of the insights that makes MOOCs quite different than traditional classroom courses is the usage patterns. The authors pointed out that "[n]ew metrics, far beyond grades and course certification, are necessary to capture the diverse usage patterns in the data. A simple comparison of grades and viewed content shows thousands of users who fit a range of profiles. Of particular interest may be those students who accessed substantial course content but did not participate in assessments." (Ho, et al., 2014, p. 3.)

To Marian: I never really paid that much attention to MOOCs until you presented all this information on them. I suppose distance learning and MOOCs are the wave of the future. I am going to have to learn a lot more about MOOCs to understand where higher education may well be going -- at least at the undergraduate level.

Marian: We have an unusual culture where I work. If there is work, it comes with a price. We have many faculty who feel that they need to be paid a lot more to develop in this platform model. 100 students in a course is hard for them to imagine, but much of the grading can be automated. I would like to encourage the use of MOOCs for a few reasons, but I have two that are of value to the education industry. The first is students who are unsure of their educational goals can take advantage of the free or very low cost access to content to see if the path is for them. Second, there seems to be an opportunity for increased enrollment. This is an area that many institutions across the nation are struggling with. Having so much more online availability and larger classes could be part of the solution.

EducationWorld is pleased to present this article by Lisa Monthie, an education specialist at ESC Region 12 in Waco, Texas . Monthie enjoys finding innovative means of integrating technology in the English Language Arts/Reading classroom. The article originally appeared in TechEdge, a quarterly magazine published by Naylor LLC for Texas Computer Education Association members. What is interesting about this is the infographic that predicts that by 2018 there will be more full-time online students than students in traditional classrooms.

Bill, I was surprised to read that 12% of current high school students have taken an online course on their own just to learn more about a topic of interest! I appreciate that the article begins by informing the reader to consider answering a list of basic questions (albeit far from a complete list) related to online instruction, before making a commitment to develop an online course.

From the abstract: " This qualitative research study will select four exemplary teachers to discuss ways of improving technology in classrooms. Situations where introducing technology in mathematics classrooms will be discusses to see their relevance and whether they are helpful and fair or not. "

The mobile revolution is here. More and more schools are moving toward mobile learning in the classroom as a way to take advantage of a new wave of electronic devices that offer portability and ease of use on a budget.

Photo: Colleen Lanz Countryman/NCSU "Physics lab students use the smartphone gyroscope sensor to measure angular velocity at North Carolina State University. Cell phones have proliferated among high school and college students, and these pocket-size computers have become essential tools in physics classrooms. Sporting a range of sensors, smartphones offer educators and students a familiar device that can perform many of the same functions as expensive lab equipment." In understanding the learner aspect of technology this article speaks to the cost of technology in labs. Interestingly, the use of personal technology can help fill the gap when needed. This offers an opportunity for learners to look inside their own technology and understand the powerful tech they carry around with them.

Category: report, Abstract: The face of learning has changed. Over the past two decades, learning has evolved from traditional instructor-led classroom training to distance learning to e-learning to virtual learning environments and to massive open online courses. And, the face of learners has changed as well.