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Teachers’ Perceptions and Experiences Using Web 2.0 Tools in the K-12 Virtual Classroom
Research Team:
Dr. Raquel Mongillo
Dr. Donna Cady
Dr. Robin James
Agenda
• What are virtual K-12 schools?
• Why were we interested in collecting data from virtual K-12 schools?
• What are Web 2.0 tools?
• Why were we interested in collected data to get at teacher perceptions?
Research questions
1. What are virtual high school teachers' perceptions, knowledge, use and ideas regarding Web 2.0 applications in the classroom?
2. Are virtual high school teachers currently using Web 2.0 applications in the classroom?
3. What are virtual high school teachers’ views on student engagement and academic achievement, among those who are using Web 2.0 applications?
Research design: Subjects
• Subjects were self-selected from an online K-12 school of their 217 faculty member pool
• 44 online K-12 teachers participated in the online survey
• 5 teachers who participated in the survey volunteered to clarify some questions the researchers had about the survey data via a follow-up asynchronous blog exchange facilitated by one of the researchers
Data Collection
• Anonymous online survey
• Follow-up online focus group via a blog meant to help clarify issues arising from the survey data.
Survey Questions
• Which technology tools do you currently use now? (list non Web 2.0 tool such as PowerPoint presentation, Internet, Excel Spreadsheet)
• Which Web 2.0 tools do you currently use as part of your curriculum?
• Which Web 2.0 tools would you like to use as part of your curriculum?
• On a scale from 1-5, 1 being not important and 5 being very important, how would you rate the use of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom?
Survey Questions (con’t)
• How comfortable do you feel using the following tools in the classroom?
• Would you like to participate in professional development activities that would teach you how to incorporate Web 2.0 tools into your curriculum?
• Please rate your reasons for not using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. I don't have enough training; It takes too much time; I don't see the value of it; I do not have the proper technology.
• Of the Web 2.0 applications you have heard about, what is the reason you are not using them as instructional tools?
Highlights of Survey Findings
How comfortable
do you feel using
the following tools
in the classroom?
Not Comfortable at AllSomewhat
Comfortable
Comfortabl
e
Very
Comfort
able
Rating
Averag
e
Resp
onse
Coun
t
Not
Comfortable
at All
Blogs 18.8% (6) 43.8% (14) 21.9% (7) 15.6% (5) 2.34 32 Blogs 18.8% (6)
Social networking 22.6% (7) 35.5% (11) 16.1% (5) 25.8% (8) 2.45 31Social
networking22.6% (7)
Wikis 41.9% (13) 25.8% (8) 16.1% (5) 16.1% (5) 2.06 31 Wikis 41.9% (13)
Podcasting 41.9% (13) 38.7% (12) 9.7% (3) 9.7% (3) 1.87 31 Podcasting 41.9% (13)
Virtual field trips 16.7% (6) 33.3% (12) 30.6% (11) 19.4% (7) 2.53 36Virtual field
trips16.7% (6)
Video hosting 32.4% (11) 32.4% (11) 23.5% (8) 11.8% (4) 2.15 34 Video hosting 32.4% (11)
Blogs 18.8% (6) 43.8% (14) 21.9% (7) 15.6% (5) 2.34 32 Blogs 18.8% (6)
Social networking 22.6% (7) 35.5% (11) 16.1% (5) 25.8% (8) 2.45 31Social
networking22.6% (7)
Survey Qualitative Highlights
• Mixed methodology design based on focus group interviews with participating OFLC members
• Qualitative pre-testing questionnaires and follow-up group interviews with OFLC members
• Phenomenological, audience-centered perspective
• Which Web 2.0 tools do you currently use as part of your curriculum? (Check all that apply).
“none - I haven't been trained in using some of these, and am not sure how to apply the ones I do know how to use in my classroom”
“I'm not even sure what some of these things are - wikis, podcasting. I assume social networking is like FB?”
• Do you think Web 2.0 tools have value in education? 100% responded YES
Please rate your reasons for not using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly AgreeRating
Average
Response
Count
I don't have enough
training.11.8% (4) 14.7% (5) 35.3% (12) 38.2% (13) 3.00 34
It takes too much time. 6.3% (2) 37.5% (12) 50.0% (16) 6.3% (2) 2.56 32
I don't see the value of it. 65.6% (21) 21.9% (7) 12.5% (4) 0.0% (0) 1.47 32
I do not have the proper
technology.27.3% (9) 42.4% (14) 24.2% (8) 6.1% (2) 2.09 33
Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly AgreeRating
Average
Response
Count
Focus Group Blog Questions
1. What incentives do you have in place for completing professional development?
2. Do you have specific ideas, projects, lessons, activities ....that you would like to develop in your classroom using Web 2.0 tools? Please share them with us.
3. If you were involved in some type of Web 2.0 tools training...what would you hope to gain from the training?
4. What would you like the training to look like?
Preliminary Qualitative Data Analysis
• Online blog focus group discussion yielded too few data to warrant strong conclusions;
• however this data was transcribed and analyzed using a grounded theory approach (Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Strauss and Corbin, 1990)
• Three-pass system of reading, coding, and theme-building
• Four overarching themes were identified
Limitations
This study is limited to online education. Further research and comparisons with on-ground education are suggested.
The results of the blog were not representative of all participants in the study.
Implications for the Classroom
• If teachers were provided more training in using Web 2.0 tools, they would likely use them to increase student performance.
• Creating professional development trainings for teachers is essential for the effective of Web 2.0 tools.
• Professional development is more important than the technology.
Implications/Suggestions for Further Research & Action
Classroom teachers want and need effective training on Web 2.0 tools before
they can integrate into their lessons.
On-going support and idea exchange of teachers trained on Web 2.0 tools while
they are using them in their classrooms.
This sharing could be done in the form of a blog/forum etc....
where teachers could post their lesson plans integrating Web 2.0 tools
and ask for ideas, suggestions, help with roadblocks, etc and truly collaborate with other
educators.
Creation of an online “Vault” of projects/lessons by grade/subject area
where teachers could pick and choose and re-invent the lessons to fit their specific learners'
needs.
An anticipated "roadblock" of using Web 2.0 in the classroom
could be the assessment piece ...how to effectively assess student's progress
through the Web 2.0 tools ....an idea for training could be "assessment using web 2.0 tools“.
Any questions about this project or if you would like to collaborate with us on a follow-up study please contactus at:
Dr. Raquel Mongillo
Dr. Donna Cady
Dr. Robin James
