Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Date: 6/3/2016
Waxman, H., Boriack, A., Yuan-Hsuan, L., & MacNeil, A. (2013). Principals' Perceptions of the
Importance of Technology in Schools. Contemporary Educational Technology, 4(3), 187-196.
INTRODUCTION
Research Questions :
(a) What are principals perceptions of the importance of technology?
The present study builds on the prior research and includes an open-ended, cognitive
interview question that allows for the examination of principals perspectives and
orientations toward technology, while focusing on principal characteristics such as years
of experience and gender.
METHODOLOGY
What is the methodology for the research or approach used to understand the
issue? Provide information regarding the following:
Participants:
310 principals from a large metropolitan area in the Southwest region of the U. S. The
sample consisted of 126 males and 184 females. A range of years of experience was
present with 104 participants having 0-3 years of experience, 82 participants having 4-7
years, 55 participants having 8-11 years, 32 participants having 12-15 years, and 31
participants having greater than 15 years of experience.
Procedures:
Data Analysis:
Analysis of the interview data began with a process of data reduction. The participants
responses were read several times to become familiar with the data. The data was then
coded into meaningful categories. Once the categories were established, another
researcher independently coded a 10% sample of responses to determine the consistency
of the coding. The inter-coder reliability results revealed a high level of agreement
(Cohens kappa = .94).
RESULTS
Findings or Results (or main points of the article):
DISCUSSIONS
Conclusions/Implications (for your profession):
The results from the present study suggest that principals view technology as important
for carrying out communication and instruction. They also see the importance of using
technology for data sharing and management, as a resource, for administrative tasks and
for student learning. This indicates that principals have a positive view of technology and
are using technology themselves.
Additionally, principals perceptions of the major functions of technology differed by
sex and years of experience.
Furthermore, schools should provide funding and opportunities for principals to attend
technology training. This could increase their technology leadership and lead to better
implementation of technology in entire schools
REFLECTIONS
Students Reflections (changes to your understanding; implications for your
school/work):
Since principals are the leaders of the schools, they should be the pioneers of new
technological applications and approaches in their school structure. If principals are
implementing any form of new technology in their school, they should be the first one
using it effectively. As a school administrator this should be also my priority.
I realized that trainings are necessary to be more productive with innovations. I`ve
watched educational videos, attended many seminars, workshops, and trainings about
using technology in education. By persisting these I should set an example for the school
staff.
With this research I understood that we are not using technology wisely in education.
While we are trying to use technology more effectively, we should utilize it on student
learning, instruction and as resource rather than communication. Face-to-face
communication is very important for social relations in schools.
As an administrator I can also improve the school environment for better uses of
technology.