Date of Award:

5-2011

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department:

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Department name when degree awarded

Teacher Education and Leadership

Committee Chair(s)

James Dorward

Committee

James Dorward

Committee

Margaret Lubke

Committee

Deborah Byrnes

Committee

Sheri Haderlie

Committee

Michael Freeman

Abstract

The formation of the Canyons School District brought with it unique opportunities for assessing current practice, implementing change, and evaluating the effectiveness of that change. Accordingly, this action research project served as an effective initial step in accomplishing this series of tasks. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to describe the instructional technology needs of teachers, as well as the related support efforts provided in a public school district.

Data gathering methods included a district-wide needs assessment survey of school-based licensed personnel (N =1,313). Additionally, the utilization of focus group protocol on an existing district technology committee aided in refining answers to each of four research questions. Contingency tables and descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data, while qualitative coding was implemented to identify an emerging understanding of both open-ended survey responses and focus group discussions. In the end, the constructed descriptions of needs and support informed the initial development of a five-year plan containing a shared vision for instructional technology use and sustenance throughout Canyons District schools.

The results of this study have implications for professional development as a mechanism for teacher support, stakeholder priorities and how they affect support levels, equity across schools, potential changes to current support efforts in Canyons District schools, and the value of action research in informing educational and technology policy, organization, and procedure.

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This work made publicly available electronically on June 10, 2011.

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