Joy Carriger UNF EDF 6480 Foundations of Educational Research Summer 2015 Dr. E.A. Scheirer Determining a Focus for Examining Research Literature Integrative Essay Assignment Introduction My topic for research was investigating current research studies that are rigorous and refereed on technology implementation with a focus on barriers and bridges. I selected this topic because I have recently become a library media specialist, and as part of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) I have been given three iPads for the library. I am unsure of how I can best use them to support student achievement with over 200 students. I want to know what other educators and professional communities on a global scale are doing to effectively teach the necessary …show more content…
Trainings need to be available for veteran as well as novice educators in methods of implementing technology and providing mentors or supports. The research reviewed alluded to the importance of the availability of individualized, one-to-one "training" sessions that can be tailored to personal learning styles. This is vital for teachers to be able to access training materials and tools when they need and to be readily available for review as necessary. On one side, there is a gap between what new teachers are expecting to find when entering schools in regards to fast-paced, high quality technology and the needs of veteran teachers to learn how to shift their styles to one that is more student-centered focused on using technology as tool for …show more content…
Additional research is needed in several areas, each nation, state, district, school and classroom are using different methods. This is a global issue and needs a global solution. There is ample research stating that there is resistance, but limited research being done on how to change attitudes on a broad scale. There is a definite need for training in this area, but addition research also needs to be done on how the training can be personalized based on individual learners needs. As a global society experiencing, technological change through distance, virtual and online learning courses there needs to be a set of standard developed for how educators can meet the needs of students with economy and efficiency. This goes beyond the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards which are currently being used as a guideline for implementation. Also there is a need for additional research on how to implement technology with fidelity and accountability to allow for equity in acquiring skills in technology literacy. It is important for ongoing and continuous research to be conducted in these areas listed above to provide educators world-wide with tested, best-practices in this field in an effort to guide today’s students into becoming tomorrow’s leaders equipped with the skills necessary to communicate, collaborate and succeed in the competitive global market. We need better