Rebekah Bowen

Article Summaries
Digital Learning Environments
Summer, 2014

Article 1:

Citation
Kiger, D., Herro, D., & Prunty, D. (2012). Examining the Influence of a Mobile Learning
Intervention on Third Grade Math Achievement. Journal Of Research On Technology In
Education, 45(1), 61-82.

Identification
Research Article

Summary
In this article, the authors examine the use of mobile devices in a third grade math
classroom setting. This was a 9-week study of the implementation of a mobile learning
intervention. They authors explain that a mobile learning intervention (MLI) is simply using a
mobile device for learning. They also give examples of MLI initiatives: one-to-one initiative, and
the flipped classroom. The purpose for conducting this research was the lack of adequate data
on the correlation between educational technology and student learning. The authors posed a
couple of questions. First, they wanted to know if participation in MLI programs would have a
significant amount of change on a post-test for multiplication. Second, would participation have
a significant effect on the most difficult post-test for multiplication? The research was conducted
in four third grade classrooms. Two of the classrooms conducted their classrooms as usual with a
teacher led lesson and then traditional math practice. The other two classrooms still had teacher
lead lessons, but then they used iPod touches to conduct their math practice for 10 minutes each
day. The students were offered several specific math apps to use on the iPod. There were 87
students total in the study. There were 46 students in the two business as usual classrooms, and
41 students in the MLI classrooms. The results showed that the student in the MLI classrooms
performed notably higher on the post-tests than the students in the control classrooms. Based on
their findings, the authors suggest that combining the regular curriculum with mobile devices
may be the most effective in improving student achievement, but they suggested that more
researched be conducted on the subject.

Critique
I think this article was very beneficial for schools who are considering implementing
some of these technology initiatives. In order to satisfy the needs of the 21
st
Century learner,
schools will have to move in this direction. This article provides some positive and practical
applications of technology and suggests that BYOD policies can subdue the cost for school
systems. I also really liked the mention of the specific math apps that were available to students
on the iPods. This research gave very practical use of technology that would not require much
change in the daily routine of most classrooms.

Article 2:

Citation
OMalley, P., Lewis, M.E.B., & Donehower, C., (2013). Using Tablet Computers as
Intsructional Tool to Increase Task Completion by Students with Autism. Online
Submission.

Identification
Research Article

Summary
This study was done to judge the effect that iPads had on independent task completion for
students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The study identifies advantages and challenges
in using iPads in instruction. The authors comment the applications available on the iPad richly
support the Universal Design for Learning framework. The authors felt this study was needed
because of the lack of research done on the effect of such technology on children with
developmental disabilities.
A four-week study was completed in a special education classroom within a K-8 special
education school in Maryland. The students were chosen to participate by a school administrator
based on the very low basic math skill level and the willingness of the classroom educator. Seven
students, male and female, were the focus of the study. These students were measured on such
topics as technology access and use, basic math achievement, level of teacher prompts, and
noncompliant behaviors. The first week of the study, baseline data was collected through
traditional math instruction and basic math skills collection. The second week, iPads were used
to collect data using math probes. The third week, the class went back to traditional math
instruction, and the fourth week, math probes were given by means of the iPads again followed
by post-tests. The results were mixed in several areas. For instance, the level of independent
completion increased in some probes, but not in others. There was no increase between the
overall scores for the pre and post-tests, but individual student data showed an increase. The
number of teacher prompts decreased and 100% of students increased in their compliance rate.
Maybe the most important results came from the teachers who were very pleased with the
opportunity they saw for decrease in their students dependency.

Critique
Having been a special education teacher for many years, and continuing to teach inclusion
classes, this article was very helpful. I have always been willing to try new techniques and new
technologies in the classroom. This article gives me a renewed sense of the possibilities I have
with the iPad. One thing that was mentioned in the article was the need for training for teachers
who are less familiar with this type of technology, and I agree that that is one of the biggest
issues with using apps in the classroom. Teachers are willing, but many of them dont know
where to start or what to use.






Article 3:

Citation
Masters, G. (2013). Class Cloud. Sports Car, 24(10), 28-29.

Identification
Research Article

Summary
This case study was completed by Greg Masters in order to report on one schools IT
directors journey into technology implementation. David Yesenchock, IT director for the
Rochester School Department had the job of heading up the search for the best BYOD initiative
for his schools. In this study, Masters reports that Yesenchock and his team needed to provide
safe and secure wireless access for 2,000 students and 900 teachers and staff members. The team
finally decided on the Dell SonicWALL Clean Wireless solution. This Clean Wireless would
offer a safe, secure, and cost-effective solution for the district. Because of the great support from
Dell SonicWALL, the entire network was up and running in two weeks. Teachers were now able
to post videos, assignments, and customize lessons on the district website and students could
access from school or home using their mobile devices.

Critique
This article would be helpful for any IT team member who worked within a school
system. I know the IT guys at our school are always looking for better and more cost effective
ways to provide wireless networks in our schools. In fact one of the reasons our district has not
implemented a BYOD initiative yet is because our wireless network doesnt have the bandwidth
to handle that much activity.



















Article 4:

Citation
Patterson, L., & Young, A. (2013). The Power of Math Dictionaries in the Classroom. SRATE
Journal, 22(2), 22-28.

Identification
Professional Practice

Summary
This article explains the findings collected by the two authors while working with a group
of fourth grade students. They understood the importance of a good foundation in vocabulary in
all subject areas, but the focus of their study was in math. They had two questions they wanted to
answer. First, they wanted to know if students would actually use a math dictionary, and second,
if they would prefer to use a traditional math dictionary or math dictionary app on the iPad. In
order to conduct their research, they sat down with a group of fourth grade students at their local
school. They first asked students to use a traditional math dictionary to locate a term, and then
they asked them to find the same term in the dictionary on the iPad app. After the experiments,
the authors conducted interviews with each student. Both formats of the math dictionary got
positive reviews, but the easy at which students were able to use the dictionary was dramatically
increased in the iPad format. The authors concluded that students were highly motivated by
technology and that if students were given iPads in the classroom, they would be more likely to
look up unknown math terms.

Critique
Our math classes have been looking for better and more efficient ways to incorporate
vocabulary into class, and a math dictionary is not something that has been discussed at our
school. I am eager to share this with my colleges. I am a little torn on this article though . I think
the idea of using a math dictionary in the classroom is a wonderful thing. It is a great tool that
students can utilize throughout their school career. I also liked the idea of a math dictionary app
for students to use. There is one thing that I disagree with that the authors concluded. They stated
that students would be more likely to look up unknown math terms if they were given an iPad,
but their results showed that students were very positive about both formats for the math
dictionary. I think that, based on their results, students would utilize either tool that was provided
to them in the classroom.











Article 5:

Citation
Dennick, R. (2012). Twelve tips for incorporatind educational theory into teaching
practices. Medical Teacher, 34(8), 618-624. doi:10.3109/0142159X.2012.668244

Identification
Theory into Practice

Summary
This article summarizes three different areas of educational theory and explains steps to
incorporate these theories into classrooms. Constructivist theory, Experimental Learning theory
(ELT) and Humanistic theory are the three focuses of this article. The author begins by giving
background knowledge of Constructivist theory by reminding readers it supports that learning is
derived by constructing knowledge in the brain by making models or structures of the
information. Some of the tips based on this theory deal with learning and cultivating background
knowledge of the learners, using the existing knowledge to challenge, allow students to learn by
doing, and allow students to take responsibility for their learning by not spoon feeding them.
The second area that is focused on in this article is ELT where the author reminds us of the
general background of this theory where learners gain knowledge from experience. Tips related
to this area are make sure students get the practice (experience) needed to gain full understanding
(this could be accomplished through the use of technology), and allowing students to make
educated guesses and then test those with by discussing, debating, and experimenting. The third
area that is discussed in this article is the Humanistic Learning theory. In this theory, the
importance of the student-teacher relationship is at the forefront. We are instructed to give
respect to our learners and acknowledge what they already know and where they are coming
from, try our best to make sure their needs are met within our classroom so that learning can be
the focus, remember to take interest in the students.

Critique
This article was a good reminder of learning theories and how I can improve my teaching
by incorporating these tips. In previous classes when learning about learning theory, it seems the
focus was more on what the theories were and how they were derived and there was not much
focus on how we could apply the theories to our teaching methodologies. This article has given
me several ideas that I plan to use in my classroom next year. It has also helped me to realize that
I am already incorporating some of these practices already.










Article 6:

Citation
Flory, V. (2012). The Effect of Interactive Whiteboard Technology on a Math Curriculum
Unit. Online Submission.
Identification
Research

Summary
This article discusses the effectiveness of interactive whiteboards within math
curriculum. The research was conducted in six second grade math classrooms in a small rural
school district. Teachers tracked their technology use during math instruction throughout the
study then students took a common assessment at the conclusion of the math unit. Teachers made
tallies of each time the technology was used during the lesson and student progress was tracked
throughout the unit as well. The results of the common assessment showed no evidence of the
effectiveness of the whiteboard technology. The two classrooms that scored the highest on the
common assessment had very differing technology usage. One of the classes used technology
during 85% of the instruction and the other only 38%. Still another classroom teacher used the
technology 100% of the time (meaning during every day of instruction), but had the lowest class
average on the common assessment. The author concluded that in order for the interactive
whiteboard technology to be effective, teachers need to be trained on the best practices for
incorporating it into each lesson. The author noted that how the whiteboards were being use had
much more of an impact than how often they were being used.

Critique
This article was very meaningful for me because of the use of my interactive whiteboard.
In our school, nearly every classroom has an interactive whiteboard. Of those boards, I would be
curious to know how many were being utilized effectively. From my experience as a special
education inclusion teacher, I can tell that most teachers use them as a fancy projector (like the
author mentioned). The author recommended that teachers have proper training on the
whiteboards so that the wonderful (and expensive) technology can live up to its full potential. I
would admit that our school needs that very thing, more training!














Article 7:

Citation
Main, S., & ORourke, J. (2011). New Directions for Traditional Lessons: Can Handheld Game
Consoles Enhance Mental Mathematics Skills? Australian Journal of Teacher Education,
36(2), 43-55.

Identification
Research

Summary
Using gaming consoles for enhancement of mental math skills was the focus of the study
outlined in this article. The authors were concerned with some Australian review panel results
suggesting that students were not prepared with the basic math skills needed for future education
and careers, students were not performing competitively with other countries, students were seen
as underachieving, and they also came from los socio-economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds
which were factors to consider. The authors are suggesting that engaging students in
mathematics will prove successful in improving achievement. They mention that anxiety around
math also plays a part in the success of math students. This study shows how the use of handheld
game consoles (HGC) used in the classroom can improve overall test scores as well as students
self-concept in relation to mathematics. A study was conducted in two 4
th
grade classrooms over
ten weeks. There was a control class that continued with the traditional methods of teaching and
practicing, and there was an intervention class that used the HGC, Nintendo DS and a specific
training game. The researchers collected data before the study was conducted to have a baseline
for student self-concept and basic math knowledge. There was a post-test conducted at the
conclusion of the study showing that there was a significant difference in the two classrooms.
The control group made some gains in math speed and accuracy, but nothing significant, but in
the intervention group, there was a significant improvement in math scores. There was a
significant difference in the self-concept of the intervention group as well. The authors conclude
that, while math is not always a favorite subject for students, through the effective use of HGC,
engagement and enthusiasm can be improved greatly.

Critique
With the implementation of BYOD policies on the rise, this article is a great example of
how beneficial technology can be. I like how the authors were very specific about what device
they used and how they directed the students to use the device as well. The authors also
mentioned that the intervention group could have improved so significantly because the students
also had access to the games at home through the internet. If we can get the students to buy-in
to a game to improve their math skills, there is no doubt that the use of such a game would
improve their attitude towards math. Students who have more confidence are more willing and
open to learning and this idea of gaming, I believe, may be the key to engaging our students.





Article 8:

Citation
Bulut, O., & Delen, E. (2011). The Relationship Between Students Exposure to Technology and
Their Achievement in Science and Math. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational
Technology, 10(3), 311-317.

Identification
Research

Summary
This article explored the relationship between technology use at home and school and the
achievement of students in 9
th
grade science and math. The authors noted that in the past several
years, computers have become more available and less expensive and therefore more like to be
found in the homes of students. Parents are more willing to buy computers to help their children
more successful in school. The authors collected data for this study from the 2009 Programme
for International Student Assessment (PISA) focusing on 15-year-olds in school. This data also
included surveys from students and parents on technology use at school and home. The study
included more than 4,000 students. The data was analyzed using the hierarchical linear model
(HLM) and the results showed a tremendous difference in the achievement levels of the different
schools in Turkey. The results also showed that there was larger impact from students exposure
to information and communication technologies (ICT) outside of school than their exposure to
ICT at school. It was discovered that the amount of exposure to ICT at school was not a good
predictor at all of students math and science achievement.

Critique
This study would be beneficial to administrators and other curriculum developers as well
as policy-makers. As these educators design classroom curriculum it will be important for them
to account for the use of technology and the availability of technology within the classroom as
well as outside of the classroom. While technology is more readily available and affordable in
recent years, we still must account for the students in areas such as mine who do not have the
ability to use certain types of technology outside of school. This also takes me back to the
effective use of technology in the classroom. We cannot just use technology just so we can check
that box on our action plans, but we need to become more effective in how we use and
incorporate technology into our lessons.











Article 9:

Citation
Hung, D. (2001). Theories of Learning and Computer-Mediated Instructional Technologies.
Educational Media International, 38(4), 281-287.

Identification
Theory into Practice

Summary
This article attempted to structure four different learning theories and known instructional
technologies. The authors intent was to show the relationship between learning theories and
instructional approaches and ascertain which methods are most effective in generating
knowledge. The four theories that are explored are behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and
social constructivism. He provides summaries of the different theories while providing examples
one might see in the classroom. It is pointed out that there not contradictions in the different
approaches, but instead they complement each other when finding the best method to promote
student learning. The author explains the different computer-mediated tools and which learning
theories they relate to. For example, the encyclopedia and Internet resources relate most closely
with cognitivism. These tools include individual instructive tools, informative tools, individual
constructive tools, social communicative tools, and social constructive tools. It is purposed that
using all tools related to the four different theories students are better able to problem solve.

Critique
This article was beneficial in helping to distinguish between the different medias that we
use as teachers and how those tools fit into the different learning theories. It is important to fully
understand the different learning theories because students lean in so many different ways that
focusing on just one theory within a classroom could be detrimental to student learning and
achievement. Being able to utilize tools related to all areas of learning theories will benefit
students much more. This article will help me when planning my lessons in the future and will
remind me to be aware of many approaches to instruction.