Dorian Brown, Joseph Sweeney, Lakavious Jones, Fatima Ferguson, Suha Tamim, Dr. Michael M. Grant

Michael M. Grant, PhD

http://bit.ly/mstc2011

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Background

� Purpose of the study: •  To explore/describe the use of mobile

computing devices in K-12 education.

Background

•  What does the research say about mobile computing devices?

•  What does the popular press say about mobile computing devices?

Background

•  What are barriers to integrating mobile computing devices?

•  What are supports for integrating mobile computing devices?

Research questions

Questions

How?

Changes? Barriers?

Supports?

Research methods

� Qualitative – Why? � Case study � Purposeful Sampling

Our participants Name Age Gender Ethnicity Grade(s) Subject Area(s) Public/

Private Location

1. Ashleigh 48 Female Caucasian BK-4th Computers Public Michigan

2. Steven 25 Male Caucasian 9th-12th Math Private Kentucky

3. Pam 53 Female Black 8th Inclusion Public Tennessee

4. Isabella 29 Female South American 3rd All/Dual Language

Public Tennessee

5. Marne 43 Female Caucasian 9-12 Spanish Public Tennessee

6. Gabe 27 Male Black 9-12 Algebra 1 Public Tennessee

7. Tony 29 Male Black 6-8 Input Technology Public Mississippi

8. Mike 39 Male Caucasian 12 English Public New York

Findings

� Control & ownership of mobile computing devices

� How teachers are using mobile computing devices

�  Teachers seek out & receive professional development

�  Technical problems & frequency � Administrators as champions or not

F I N D I N G S

Control and ownership of mobile computing devices

� Control •  Teachers use only •  Teachers determine use •  Students determine use

F I N D I N G S

Control and ownership of mobile computing devices

� Ownership •  School owns the devices for students to

use in school. •  School owns the devices for students to

use in school and take home. •  Students own the device •  Teachers own the device(s)

I N T H E I R W O R D S

I use it as a documentation tool. I can type out a quick note on my phone, and it will save it and it will sync to my computer automatically, so that I can look at that later whether in a conference meeting with parents.

“

” Steven

How teachers are using mobile computing devices: Steven

I N T H E I R W O R D S

They want to be involved, so they are actively involved in the application, 99% of the time.

“ ”

Ashleigh

The students before didn’t really care if they couldn’t use the computers, “

”

I N T H E I R W O R D S

My lessons are more student-centered. Students are directing their own learning. I only serve as a facilitator.

“ ” Yes, they (students) are going to play

around on their iPads or what I call "high tech doodling, but it is up to the teacher to keep them on task.

“ ”

F I N D I N G S

How teachers are using mobile computing devices

I N T H E I R W O R D S

It's almost like you're tricking them into learning, which is what we're always trying to do anyway...We want them to learn without realizing they're learning.

“ ” Isabella

F I N D I N G S

How teachers are using mobile computing devices: Isabella

F I N D I N G S

How teachers are using mobile computing devices: Isabella

I N T H E I R W O R D S

You're more eager to plan because it's like, "wow, wait 'til I show them this!" They are so eager to learn and participate.

“ ” Pam

F I N D I N G S

How teachers are using mobile computing devices: Pam

F I N D I N G S

How teachers are using mobile computing devices: Pam

F I N D I N G S

Teachers seek out & receive professional development.

•  Teach for America

•  Apple Distinguished Educator

•  Summer Webinars

•  iPad + iPod=Same

•  Background Experience

•  Self-Taught

I N T H E I R W O R D S

If they offered more (PD), I would definitely go!

“ ” With my background in working with

mobile devices as well as outside training outside the school, I believe that both have proved to be adequate training

“ ”

F I N D I N G S

Technical problems & frequency •  network errors •  Flash based

programs not compatible.

•  Lack of LCD projectors to show images from devices

•  Overload of network •  Lack of daily access

to devices •  E-mail only way to

send or recieve data.

F I N D I N G S

Teachers' perceptions of benefits to mobile devices

� Efficiency � Differentiating instruction � Enthusiastic planning � Students that... Want to participate!!

F I N D I N G S

Administrators as champions

My principal fully supports the integration of technology into my lessons.

My principal has allowed me the flexibility of conducting classes in other locations such as outside and in the auditorium in order to give children the opportunity to interact in different learning environments.

“ ”

Raymond

“ ”

F I N D I N G S

Administrators as champions

I showed her everything and she was just sold on the level of organization and documentation that it gave me per student.

“ ” Steven

F I N D I N G S

Administrators: Support vs. Budget It would be helpful if the principal would buy a classroom set.

We’ve had a discussion about becoming closer to a one-to-one school where we’ve got rolling carts and have iPads on them, and things like that, but as far as the teachers are concerned, they give each teacher a laptop, but I think that’s as far as they’ll go with teachers.

“ ” Barb

“ ” Steven

F I N D I N G S

Administrators: Misguided Logic Our board is really where we are not getting our support.

I’ve heard that the board, and again this is just what I heard, is that several of the board members did not understand why, and I guess some of the teachers didn’t understand why they would be put in the lowest grade level school first.

“ ” “

” Ashleigh

How can this help?

•  More ideas on how to use MCD in classrooms

•  Teachers will have an expectation of how they will be supported and trained

•  Administrators will understand teachers perceptions

•  Software developers

What we still want to know

•  Student achievment? •  iPod vs. iPad vs. iPhone? •  Use of non-Apple products? •  Impact on teaching practices? •  Why are some schools and teachers not

using them?

http://bit.ly/mstc2011

http://bit.ly/mstc2011

Download the slides

& resources from this

URL.

Michael M. Grant, PhD 2011