Applying Technology in Training and Preparing PSTs for Technological Integration in Teaching
Instructions:
Throughout this course, you have read and evaluated nine articles on the topic identified in Topic 2. Now that you have a greater understanding of the research that is available on your topic, using the Research Plan Matrix create a literature review synthesis about three articles you feel have had the most influence on your topic.
In addition to the synthesis, respond to the following 10 key strategic points to outline your action research plan:
1. Title
2. Purpose: The intent of this Action Research is to increase the understanding of . . . .
3. Problem Statement: It is not known. . . .
4. Sample
5. Research Questions/Hypotheses
6. Variables
7. Phenomena Being Studied
8. Data Collection Approaches
9. Methodology
10. Data Analysis Approaches
Submit both the Research Plan Matrix and responses to the 10 key strategic points to your instructor.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
I am required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. (This is very important as we are graded on similarity to other papers. Please limit the amount of citing.) I need less than 4% similarity.
Solution
Applying Technology in Training and Preparing PSTs for Technological Integration in Teaching
The extensive use of technology experienced in the past decades continues to influence all aspects of life. The development of new technologies enhance efficiency in the way we do things. The adoption and implementation of new technologies in education, health care, business and economics among other sectors plays a fundamental role in the enhancement of efficacy. The integration of technology in education has shown success in the enhancing the learning and teaching process. However, the incorporation of technology in teaching is limited even when new and efficient technologies continue to emerge (Gloria & Oluwadara, 2015). In the recent past, the development of smartphones, learning laptops and PCs, and tablets among other technological tools have revolutionized interactions. These technologies offer an opportunity for the improvement of the learning and teaching process. This essay will focus on offering an elaborative and articulate discussion of the importance of applying technology in education by integrating it into PSTs’ training and preparation.
Purpose
The intent of this Action Research is to enhance understanding of technological integration into pre-service teacher training and preparation. The study focuses on the identification of the effectiveness of incorporating technologies in the classroom, teaching, and learning, in general. It narrows down the research to focus on the application of technology in training and preparing PSTs to equip them efficiently with the capability to integrate technology efficiently in teaching. The Action Research intends to enhance understanding of the extent of technology integration in pre-service teachers’ practice, training, and learning. It will allow the reader to understand the possible influence of different technological tools in education. The implementation of a practical research methodology including efficient data collection methods and tools will attach credibility and reliability to the research by ensuring accurate and precise information. Moreover, the data and results analysis techniques and extensive discussion aim to simplify the research and make it usable and easily comprehensible by the average reader.
Problem Statement
The influence and impact of integrating technology in education is not clearly defined. There is a limited research on the technological integration in teaching and learning. Most importantly, research on the application of new technological tools in teaching and preparing PSTs is inadequate. Therefore, it remains difficult for an individual interested in doing research on the topic to find critical information. What is more is that most of the research focusing on the incorporation of technology in education and specifically in training PSTs does offer comprehensive information on training the teachers on how to use the technologies in enhancing the learning and teaching processes (Asan, 2006; Gloria & Oluwadara, 2015). This Action Research will consider the gaps in the topic and focus on discussing them comprehensively. It will offer insight on the issues and pave way for further research on the topic.
Sample
The research will employ an effective sampling method to identify a sample for the study. The application of the probability sampling technique using randomization to make certain of proper representation of PSTs will be applied in the determining the sample. Additionally, it will integrate the stratified sampling to group the randomly selected (100) sample into subgroups depending on the subjects the PSTs are studying and group of 40 PSTs identified as the sample of study. Moreover, it will include two PST experts and two technology experts.
Research Questions
The research will focus on answering various questions for the development of an articulate and extensive discussion. These questions will include:
- What is the extent of the application of technology in education?
- How has technology influenced learning and teaching?
- What technological tools are most effective in the enhancing the learning and teaching processes?
- To what extent does PST training and preparation integrate technology?
- Are PSTs currently receiving sufficient preparation and training in terms of applying new technologies in teaching and enhancing efficacy in the learning process?
- How willing are PSTs to apply technology in teaching and enhancing the learning process?
Variables
The research will focus on identifying the influence of variables such as the course and mode of study, the use of technologies, and others such as gender and the level the PSTs are training for influence the integration of technologies in preparing PSTs. Additionally, the study of the variables focuses on determining the teachers’ willingness to integrate the technologies in the teaching and learning processes.
Research Methodology
This study will apply the mixed method research technique. The 40 PSTs chosen from different courses of study and training to teach different levels will participate in the research. Of the 40 participants, the sampling will identify 18 male and 22 female students forming 45% and 55% respectively. However, the representation according to levels and the course of study will differ. Further, the participants will include the four experts to guarantee effectiveness.
Data Collection
The data collection methods will include quantitative numerical research methodology and a phenomenological qualitative approach. The collection of data will include quantitative data collection techniques such as a questionnaire, including the different aspects under study. It will be administered to the 40 participants and the data and information recorded. Further, interviews will be conducted where the researcher will interview the four experts.
Phenomena under Study
Apart from the study of the application of technology in training and preparing pre-service teachers and the incorporation of technologies in teaching practice, the study will discuss other phenomena. It will focus on capturing the perspectives of the experts and PSTs. These phenomena will allow the development of an excellent, credible, and reliable research.
Data Analysis Approaches
The research will integrate different data analysis approaches to guarantee the development of credible results. The quantitative approach of data collection will apply a numerical analysis while the phenomenological techniques will include content analysis and an extensive critical analysis. The application of these techniques will make it possible to offer articulate and comprehensive analysis of the data and information obtained during the data collection measures. This will make the development of results and the discussion possible. Considering the critical importance of the results in developing a credible and reliable research, the data analysis process will be thorough and error-free.
Conclusion
As the society embraces
technological advancement even more, its integration in different aspects of
life has enhanced efficiency in daily life activities. However, the integration
of the technologies in education proves the great influence of technology.
Effective incorporation in education promotes efficacy in learning and
teaching. This research will focus on identifying the extent of the application
of technology in preparing PSTs and equipping them to teach students successfully
while using new technologies. The Action Research seeks to identify the best
possible ways of integrating new technologies into the training process for
PSTs to develop the ability to practice teaching competently. It will focus on
identifying the technological tools applicable in training and teaching. Its
purpose is to equip the reader with sufficient knowledge about the extent of
application of the technologies and their effectiveness in promoting
educational efficacy. It will point out the need to train and prepare PSTs efficiently
on matters technology incorporation into teaching to ensure the improvement of
the quality of education.
Research Plan Matrix
References
Asan, A. (2006). Pre-service teachers’ use of technology to create instructional materials: a school-college partnership. Journal of Information Technology for Teacher Education, 11 (2), 217-232.
Gloria, A., & Oluwadara, A. (2015). Pre-Service Teachers’ Ease of Use and Intention to Use Selected E-learning Technologies in Designing Instruction. American journal of Educational Research, 3 (10), 1320-1323.