Technology has been rapidly changing throughout the 21st Century. While teachers have adapted to 21st century learning, the onslaught of constantly emerging technology has created a divide in how certain technologies should or shouldn’t be implemented in the classroom. Nowhere is this more prevalent than the issue of smart phones; devices that are more powerful and accessible than what is found in school computer labs across the country. My research question is, “Do teachers feel that smartphones and personal devices belong in the classroom?” This leads to more sub questions such as: what are teachers’ experiences with implementing technology through personal devices, what are advantages and disadvantages of personal devices? how frequent should their use be? etc. The purpose of this research is to illustrate teacher’s preconceived notions and opinions about personal devices, as well as the impact of these devices. The research examines how Campbell River teachers choose to incorporate smart phones into day-to-day teaching and how many choose to not incorporate them at all due to a variety of complex reasons. Parents, teachers, and students need up-to-the date information on how, why, and if smartphones should be integrated in and outside of school.
After a grueling grudge match with Survey Planet and how their survey software formats survey’s without paying for it, which can impede young academics trying to cheaply pass the Research Ethics Board (REB), I received the go ahead to survey as many teachers as were willing to find out their thoughts on smart phones/personal devices in the classroom. Armed with an e-mail, a dream, and the innate ability to get people to do me favours by constantly pestering them until they agreed to write the survey, I had 100+ filled out survey’s by Campbell River teachers to go through.
I am currently in the process of interviewing survey takers who indicated they would like to answer further questions. The interview process has been slow, due to the fact that transcribing interviews might be the actual worst thing ever employed in academics. Of course, I have all the hot tips for transcribing – chief among them? Type quickly!
I’m ready for all types of questions. Want to know the quickest way to get something done? Want to know how to write brief, hilarious e-mails in order to get surveys done? Or did you sign up for this seminar as a placeholder, hoping the reading strategies group would open up some more spots? In any case, feel free to ask me anything!