ETEC 690, Spring 2009
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ItemUsing Excel to Understand Story Problems(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-05-09T00:59:14Z)Math classes can boring and distant to most students. The solution seems to be to pull away from traditional teaching practices and move towards learning styles. Every student does not learn in the same exact way. Enabling learners to approach something as complex as a mathematical word problem through graphing helps the learner process the data calculated, and integrating technology to ensure accuracy and a clearer picture of the data should increase student success. One of the major findings in this study was that students had never thought of using Excel to do math problems, yet many know its ability to store data and fewer realize that scatter plots can be created from the program. Teachers might consider tapping into this underused resource to deepen their learners’ understanding of using algebra in everyday life using Excel.
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ItemCell Block: The Creation of a Video Game for Seventh Grade Science Students(Department of Educational Technology, University of Hawaii, 2009-04-16)Today’s classroom model is based on a 19th century industrial model that is not designed to serve the needs of current 21st century students. This paper details the design and creation of a two-dimensional, side-scrolling video game on cell structure and function of the typical animal cell for seventh grade science students in an intermediate school in Hawaii. Students who had a difficult time learning the material presented in traditional methods played the video game in order to review the materials and reinforce their understanding. Results show a significant difference between some students’ scores on pre and post assessment data indicating that their understanding of the concepts improved after playing the video game. Observational data from the classroom teacher included in the discussion provide insight on the decline in other students’ postassessment scores. Expert and student feedback regarding game play are also discussed.
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ItemTechnology Orientation for Distance Education Students, Can it Help?(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-04-16)Online learning has become an increasingly popular mode of delivery in higher education. Many working adults and individuals living in rural areas depend on distance education courses and programs to further their educational goals. There is, however, a fear factor for inexperienced technology users and people returning back to school after a long absence. Studies suggest that offering an orientation may provide positive learning experiences that can ultimately help students gain self-efficacy and successfully complete their programs. A Skype orientation instructional module was created and tested by first-time distance education students during the second week of instruction. Data was collected on the effectiveness of the module and on students’ technological perceptions of themselves. Implications of this data are discussed in this paper.
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ItemAssistive Technology: Using Switch-Activated Toys and Devices for Preschool Children with Motor Impairments(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-04-14)Many special education teachers have not received adequate training to make informed decisions when implementing assistive technology tools to enhance the learning of their special needs students. Yet, schools are mandated to provide special education students appropriate assistive technology interventions to support their learning needs. For this study, a web-based instructional module on using switch activated toys and devices for preschool children with motor impairments was developed to provide special educators a free on demand informational resource. The author tested the instructional module to study its effectiveness on empowering special educators to incorporate switch-activated toys and devices. The results and implications of this research should help to refine this module and lead to the development of future free on-demand modules for special educators in other areas of disabilities.
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ItemComputer Skills Workshop for Incoming Community College Students(Technology, Colleges, and Community Worldwide Conference, 2009-04-16)Colleges today are requiring students to conduct more and more administrative business as well as academic tasks using computers and the Internet. Despite this, research shows there are still students entering college without these computer skills. This is particularly true at the community college level. This study examines the effects of a pre-semester basic computer skills workshop for students entering Hawaii Community College with little or no computer experience. Findings indicate participants (n=4) found the workshop effective, felt they improved their computer skills, and were as a result better prepared to enter college. However, these findings should be viewed with caution due to the small sample size of the study.
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ItemHandhelds for Music Education(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-04-29T23:49:51Z)The purpose of this project was to gauge a music population’s awareness of music tools or applications on handhelds which could be useful for music education, and also to gauge what kind of instructive information about the use of such tools or applications could be useful for this group. A questionnaire for volunteer participants was employed. Also some participants were interviewed. After that, a needs assessment was constructed to investigate the participants’ needs. The study found that approximately 52 % of the participants responded that they had heard about such music tools or programs on handhelds which could be useful for music education, and about 29 % of the participants responded that they had used such tools or programs. About 76% of the participants were positive in responding that they thought music related tools or programs on handhelds helped them learn music.
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ItemWiki This Way: Harnessing the Potential of Wiki Technology in Elementary and Secondary Education(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-04-29T03:35:50Z)The purpose of this study was to evaluate an instructional module’s effectiveness in positively influencing Preschool through 12th grade (PreK-12) educators to consider using Wiki technology to support Professional Development (PD) efforts and to integrate Wikis into the curriculum. Wikis can be utilized to support PD programs that are collaborative, allow for reflection, address authentic problems, and encourage peer feedback. Research suggests that these characteristics are consistent with how teachers learn best as opposed to the current top-down, lecture based, isolated workshop model of PD programs. A collateral benefit of using Wikis for PD is that teachers can also use this technology in their own classroom to help students master communication, collaboration, innovation, and critical thinking skills vital to economic success in the global economy. The module in this study positively influenced participants' attitudes towards adopting Wiki technology. A description of the instructional strategy, the methodology for testing and evaluation, the interpretation of the results, and implications for further study are included in this paper.
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ItemAn Instructional Module for Protecting Privacy on Social Networking Sites(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-04-29T03:19:01Z)Many college students are misled into making uninformed choices about what to disclose online and avoid taking the necessary precautions to protect their privacy on social networking sites. This study was aimed at developing and evaluating a multimedia, Web-based, instructional module to educate college students about protecting privacy on social networking sites. The module covered privacy, threats to one’s privacy, and ways to protect oneself on social networking sites. It was hoped that students would also gain awareness for protecting their privacy in all online activities. A formative evaluation was conducted with a small group of 19 college students. Improvements in participants’ pre- and post-test scores indicated that the instructional module was successful in educating the students about protecting privacy on social networking sites. Additionally, survey results showed that the participants felt that they increased their knowledge about protecting privacy on social networking sites and took a positive liking to the module. While the module proved to be successful in educating college students about protecting privacy, the researcher concluded that a different instructional approach may be even more effective in teaching how to protect privacy.
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ItemUsing Multimedia Tutorials to Enhance Student Learning of File Management for Adult Beginner Computer Users(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-04-29T03:10:41Z)The purpose of this project was to develop and assess the effectiveness of multimedia modules assisting the learning of file management (FM) skills for adults at least 50 years of age. Older adults are capable of learning modern technologies but experience anxiety and physiological problems that may interfere with their learning of new skills. The incorporation of multimedia in lessons will provide multiple cues for adults to better understand new information when learning. The target population for this study was adults at least 50 years of age who have very little or no experience with a computer. The sample population represented a demographic cross-section of adults age 50 years or older with variations of FM skill level. Participants were given a self-directed multimedia packet to take home and learn FM. Survey results showed most participants found the multimedia tutorials useful in enhancing learning and that tutorials should be implemented in class lessons for adult beginner computer users. Overall, improvements in both post-test results, and correct completion of a FM activity indicated that multimedia modules were successful in teaching FM.
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ItemOnramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email(Department of Educational Technology, Univeristy of Hawaii, 2009-04-29T03:00:00Z)The number of older Americans is rapidly increasing and these individuals have unprecedented opportunities to improve their quality of life. However, one valuable option, the Internet, is passing many seniors by. The Internet can provide older adults with many valuable services, but in particular it can provide increased social interaction, which can relieve some of the isolation that many seniors feel. Unfortunately, many older adults have had limited exposure to the Internet and have been unable to take advantage of the opportunities it can offer. This purpose of this instructional design project was to develop and evaluate a senior-friendly introduction to online communication. The Web-based instructional design module focused on audio calls and text messaging, providing senior learners with background information and how-to instruction. The project was also designed to test and evaluate best practices for providing older adults with effective instruction by incorporating design elements and technologies to allow full accessibility for those suffering from age-related physical and cognitive decline. Project testing showed that the design elements and technologies used to specifically address the needs of older learners were successful in helping older adults to learn and to embrace the new technologies presented.