This presentation begins with a literature review of effective technology integration and discusses findings of a TPACK (technological pedagogical and content knowledge) study conducted at our university. Suggestions are provided for continuous faculty development, which includes sharing a preliminary model developed by the presenters to help facilitate successful technology integration.
Current research indicates that technology enhances teaching and learning in institutions of higher education. However, it remains a challenge for faculty and instructors. To be used most effectively, technology should have a distinct pedagogical purpose and be fully integrated within the learning of discipline-specific content to help improve learning outcomes. Effective technology integration is vital to ensure students develop the necessary 21st century skills to enable them to become successful in today’s competitive global technological society.
At our institution, there is an increase in use of digital technologies in online and on-campus courses and a growing interest in their use in blended learning. The comprehensive framework for teaching and learning supports 21st century learning and promotes the appropriate employment of technology tools to enhance the quality of the teaching and learning experience and increase access for all students. To find out what faculty and instructors at their institution say about technology integration, the presenters conducted a research study to document these knowledge and experiences and to determine if they could inform university teaching and professional development activities. The research data came from a version of the Technological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) survey (Schmidt et al. 2009-10) administered to faculty and instructors and interviews with 15 respondents post completion of the survey. TPACK, as a framework for both research and teaching with technology, looks at three domains of knowledge - content, pedagogy and technology - and their interconnectedness. It promotes a student-centered, adult learning approach that considers technology, content, and pedagogy equally in course development and teaching.
This presentation begins with a literature review of the six bodies of research that informed the study, namely: 1) effective technology integration, 2) 21st Century Learning, 3) TPACK framework selected for our study, 4) learning theories and pedagogical approaches, 5) Community of Inquiry framework, and 6) effective professional development. The research findings are presented and discussed, giving, we believe, a perspective on the teaching and learning culture of our institution, as revealed in our research. We conclude with a summary and suggestions for continuous improvement for faculty professional development, which includes a preliminary model to help facilitate successful technology integration. Participants will be engaged through question and answers.
As a result of this session, participants will:
- Increase their knowledge of effective technology integration in higher education.
- Acquire suggestions for continuously improving faculty professional development.
- Discuss a potential model to help faculty and instructors successfully integrate technology.