Best Practices Of Leadership in Educational Technology

Vol.11  No.1

Year : 2014

Issue : Apr-Jun

Title : Best Practices Of Leadership in Educational Technology

Author Name : Loren Brown

Synopsis :

Leadership in Educational Technology is a relatively new field that is changing as fast as technology itself. Success for an educational leader includes maintaining a firm grasp of how to diagnose the needs of a district, a school, or a classroom while aligning policies, procedures, and protocols into a format that will empower the individual teacher efficacy and student learning outcomes. Being a leader in educational technology includes more than incorporating new technologies into the classroom. Leadership in educational technology requires an outlook that views technology not as a tool for every occasion, but as a tool that when used, will enhance the learning process. An approach of best practices is essential to maintain effectiveness as an educational leader, and yet there is very little research that includes a synthesis of the best practices or approaches that are certain to increase an educational leader's effectiveness. A best practices approach that relies on the use of constructivist teaching method, that strives for continuous improvement through the use of professional learning networks and communities, and that utilizes online professional development will produce the kind of effectiveness in teachers that is associated with positive student learning outcomes.

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Usage of E-Learning Tools: A Gap in Existing Teacher Education Curricula in India

Vol.11  No.1

Year : 2014

Issue : Apr-Jun

Title : Usage of E-Learning Tools: A Gap in Existing Teacher Education Curricula in India

Author Name : DEEPTY GUPTA, Dr. Gaurav Singh

Synopsis :

In India usage of internet in education is not an innovation, but it is still considered to be in initial stages. Government of India has taken lot of initiatives for the implementation of e-learning at all the levels of education from past many years, but still teacher education programme around the nation continue to be challenged to prepare prospective teachers for using technology meaningfully in their instruction, as they are not yet prepared to do so. National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (2009) has also embedded the part of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in the curricula of teacher education but there is disinclination for the usage by both teacher educators and trainee teachers. In order to explore deeper in the realm of it, the researchers had conducted a study to identify the status of e-learning in curricula of teacher education, infrastructural facilities, and usage of e- learning tools for instruction by teacher educators and trainee teachers. The findings of the study have revealed that though the curricula related to e- learning was ample in the selected university but the infrastructural facilities were not accomplished in many terms like internet connection and time provided to use it. The trainee teachers were skilled with the basic computer applications but they are lacking the skill of using various special skills required for e- learning. Also the usage of e-learning tools by teacher educators like email, chat, discussion groups, downloading the content was average but they are not involved in preparing online courses, taking online classes, video conferencing and uploading the educational content. Similar results were found in case of trainee teacher for which they are motivated to use the elearning tools.

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Tri–Center Analysis: Determining Measures of Trichotomous Central Tendency for the Parametric Analysis of Tri–Squared Test Results

Vol.11  No.1

Year : 2014

Issue : Apr-Jun

Title : Tri–Center Analysis: Determining Measures of Trichotomous Central Tendency for the Parametric Analysis of Tri–Squared Test Results

Author Name : James E. Osler II

Synopsis :

This monograph provides an epistemological rational for the design of a novel post hoc statistical measure called “Tri–Center Analysis”. This new statistic is designed to analyze the post hoc outcomes of the Tri–Squared Test. In Tri–Center Analysis trichotomous parametric inferential parametric statistical measures are calculated from statistically significant Tri–Squared Test data. The Tri–Squared Test was first introduced in i-manager’s Journal on Mathematics as a qualitative to quantitative transformative mixed methods data analysis procedure. Tri–Center Analysis is an advanced statistical post hoc holomorphic that rigorously examines trichotomous investigative inquiry outcomes as in–depth parametric relations.

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Students in a Teacher College of Education Develop Educational Programs and Activities Related To Intelligent Use of the Web: Cultivating New Knowledge

Vol.10  No.4

Year : 2014

Issue : Jan-Mar

Title : Students in a Teacher College of Education Develop Educational Programs and Activities Related To Intelligent Use of the Web: Cultivating New Knowledge

Author Name : Dr. Rivka Wadmany, Dr. Orit Zeichner, Dr. Orly Melamed

Synopsis :

Students in a teacher training college in Israel have developed and taught curricula on the intelligent use of the Web. The educational programs were based on activities thematically related to the world of digital citizenship, such as the rights of the child and the Internet, identity theft, copyrights, freedom of expression and its limitations, etc. This study examines the characteristics, advantages and shortcomings of the educational approaches used by 180 students. Most of the students chose balanced approaches for developing and teaching curricula on the subject, relating both to the benefits and dangers of using the Web. Quite a few chose a negative critical approach focusing on the dangers and harmful effects of the Internet. A marginal minority chose a positive approach stressing only on the beneficial uses of the Web. In light of the analysis of the students' reflection questionnaires, it is able to identify those factors that assist and those that inhibit the teaching of the subject based on each of the approaches. In addition, recommendations were made for optimally adapting an approach for developing and teaching sub-topics of the curricula, which enhance the advantages and reduce the disadvantages of using web.

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Enhancing Students' Learning and Self- Efficacy Through Blended Learning in a Teachers' Program

Vol.10  No.4

Year : 2014

Issue : Jan-Mar

Title : Enhancing Students' Learning and Self- Efficacy Through Blended Learning in a Teachers' Program

Author Name : Ahmed Abdelraheem

Synopsis :

Blended Learning (BL) strategies play an important role in collaboration, communication skills, motivation, attitudes, interaction with the subject and practical skills. However, their relationship with students' learning and self efficacy were not studied enough and this was the focus of this study. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of blended learning strategy on enhancing students' learning and raising their self efficacy. A sample of 28 students participated in the study. They were divided randomly into two groups. One group studied through blended learning (BL) strategy and the other through regular conventional methods. Both groups were asked to respond to a self efficacy scale and take achievement test. The results indicated that students in the blended learning strategy group outscored in grades significantly their counter partners in conventional method. However there were no significant differences among the two groups in the self-efficacy measures. Within the scope of this study, the results implied that BL in teacher education might be applied in order to provide better learning environment.

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Leadership in Educational Technology

Vol.10  No.4

Year : 2014

Issue : Jan-Mar

Title : Leadership in Educational Technology

Author Name : Rhonda Puckett

Synopsis :

In life, one will come across diverse types of leaders. While each leadership type has positive and negative qualities, each style fits appropriately in distinct situations. Supervisors must determine how to manage their staff in constructive ways, engaging and motivating them to learn more and do more within their specific professional area. The purpose of this research is to define the various types of Educational Leadership and their pros and cons, compare and contrast various ways to manage educators, how to engage others, and to identify best practices in Educational Technology. The writer will also define professional learning networks/communities and identify their purpose. Questions involved with this research include: What are the various kinds of leaders and the pros and cons that apply to those leadership styles? How can Educational Technology superiors effectively manage their staff? How can they motivate their staff? What are PLNs/PLCs and why are they important? The conclusion of this work will highlight the importance of technology leaders within the educational realm.

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Solving the Mega-Crisis in Education: Concrete, Cost-Effective Solutions

Vol.10  No.4

Year : 2014

Issue : Jan-Mar

Title : Solving the Mega-Crisis in Education: Concrete, Cost-Effective Solutions

Author Name : Hershey Friedman, William Hampton-Sosa, Linda Weiser Friedman

Synopsis :

The United States will lose its ability to compete in the global knowledge economy if its educational system is not th significantly improved. It now ranks 13 in college graduation rates. In a recent 24-country Survey of Adult Skills, the U.S. th st ranked 16 in literary proficiency and 21 in numeracy proficiency. Without an intervention, the United States will continue to lose its ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. The objective of this paper was to examine the problem and various potential solutions. The research methodology employed was a search of the scholarly and professional literature. The authors discuss cost-effective solutions that include expanding early childhood education programs, changing the school calendar, home schooling, and online learning options.

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