B Y :K R I S M . I R W I N , P H . D .

W A R N E L L S C H O O L O F F O R E S T R Y & N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E ST H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F G E O R G I A

N A T I O N A L P L T C O O R D I N A T O R S C O N F E R E N C ED E A D W O O D , S O U T H D A K O T A

M A Y 1 6 , 2 0 1 2

PREPARING THE NEXT PLT GENERATION TO USE TECHNOLOGY CONNECTIONS

PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES

What I will do:• Define technology use in the context of PLT• Describe barriers to technology implementation• Present data from national research • Provide interaction between you and the data

What you will do:• Evaluate your own use of technology with PLT• Identify your barriers to implementation• Discuss ways to overcome barriers

WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY FOR PLT?

• Cutting Edge EE• Address the need to develop technologically literate

students (2011 PLT K-8 Guide, p. 6)• Justify Use of Technology• Support learning objectives• Artifact that demonstrates learning: Used for assessment• Motivation• Student-centered• Cooperative learning• Student/Teacher interaction

• Technology for PLT (2011, PLT K-8 Guide, p. 9)• Skill development• Access to knowledge• Creativity

TECHNOLOGY CONNECTIONS1. Word Processing - writing2. Spreadsheets – data3. Presentation Software - report4. Graphic Software - photos & video5. Graphic Organizer - visual thinking6. Digital/video camera – capture7. Peripherals - other than computers8. Internet Resources - resources

NATIONAL PLT SURVEY RESULTS

• Conducted Summer/Fall 2010• PLT Network invited to participate• Participation lower than anticipated• Educators (513)• Facilitators (211)• State Coordinators (43)

• Results are relevant to EE and PLT• Revealed opportunities

GUIDE USED MOST AND AUDIANCE?

• Over 72% reported using PLT most often with PreK-12 students• Only 7% reported using PLT with college students

Guide %PreK-8 Activity Guide 650 86High School Modules 106 14Total 756 100

LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE

Item

Frequency of Response(%)

Mean(SD)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

I am confident in my ability to use technology tools when teaching with the PLT curriculum.

30(3.5)

63(7.2)

68(7.8)

127(14.6)

154(17.7)

192(22.1)

235(27.0)

5.10(1.7)

LEVEL OF IMPORTANCE

Frequency of Response(%)

Mean(SD)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

It is important to incorporate technology tools when it is recommended in the PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide.

17(2.0)

57(6.6)

83(9.6)

177(20.4)

145(16.7)

164(18.9)

225(25.9)

5.04(1.7)

LEVEL OF FAMILIARITY

Level %Not familiarSomewhat familiarFamiliarVery familiar

24435422471

27.339.625.18.0

Total 893 100

Ave Level = 2.14 or “Somewhat familiar”

LEVEL OF USE

Technology Tools

Frequency of Response (%)

Mean(SD)1 2 3 4 5

Word Processing Software (2) 211(24.7)

168(19.7)

150(17.6)

187(21.9)

137(16.1)

2.85(1.42)

Spreadsheet/Database Software 286(33.6)

261(30.6)

139(16.3)

123(14.4)

43(5.0)

2.27(1.21)

Presentation Software (3) 221(26.2)

181(21.4)

151(17.9)

195(23.1)

97(11.5)

2.72(1.37)

Graphic Software 309(37.0)

210(25.1)

145(17.3)

120(14.4)

52(6.2)

2.28(1.23)

Graphic Organizer Software 334(39.8)

213(25.4)

135(16.1)

119(14.2)

38(4.5)

2.18(1.23)

Digital/Video Cameras (4) 255(30.1)

199(23.5)

173(20.4)

140(16.5)

81(9.6)

2.52(1.33)

Peripherals 364(43.7)

219(26.3)

127(15.2)

91(10.9)

32(3.8)

2.05(1.17)

Internet Resources (1) 126(14.9)

121(14.3)

146(17.2)

245(28.9)

209(24.7)

3.34(1.38)

CHARACTERISTICS OF PLT TECHNOLOGY USER

• Completed a PLT workshop after January 1, 2007 • A trained PLT educator • Uses technology tools and encourages student

learning with technology• Tend to be less than 35• Most likely live in Northeast, South, or West PLT

region

BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION1. Status Quo - The feeling that things could be better if something

changes. 2. Knowledge & Skills - Those who will implement the innovation must

have adequate knowledge and skills to operate the innovation. 3. Resources - Access to the materials and supplies to make the

innovation work.4. Time - Those implementing the innovation must have time to learn,

adapt, integrate, and reflect on their use of the innovation.5. Rewards & Incentives - Some type of reward, either intrinsic or

extrinsic, must be present to provide a reason to change.6. Participation - The innovator must be involved in the decision-making

process or it is unlikely the innovation will be implemented.7. Commitment - Support from administrators and managers must

come directly to those who are implementing the innovation. 8. Leadership - Support for innovators from those considered to be the

leaders.Source: Ely, D. P. (1990, 1999)

PLT VS. OTHER GROUPS

aAdapted from Ensminger & Surry, 2008bAdapted from Nawawi et al., 2005cAdapted from Surry & Ensminger, 2002

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

• A simple survey• Use the “clickers” to respond

THIS IS A TEST

1 2

0%

100%1. Yes2. No

I AM CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY TO USE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS WHEN TEACHING WITH THE

PLT CURRICULUM.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

0%

13%

20%

7%

13%

40%

7%

1. Strongly Disagree2. Disagree3. Somewhat

Disagree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Agree6. Agree7. Strongly Agree

RANK YOUR LEVEL OF FAMILIARITY WITH TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION AS PRESENTED IN THE

K-8 GUIDE

1. Not familiar2. Somewhat familiar3. Familiar4. Very familiar

1 2 3 4

33%

0%

27%

40%

WHICH TECHNOLOGY DO YOU USE MOST? (PICK ONE ONLY!)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

13% 13%

20%

53%

0%0%0%0%

1. Word processing2. Spreadsheet3. Presentation software4. Graphic software5. Graphic organizer6. Digital/video cameras7. Peripherals8. Internet

IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCORPORATE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS WHEN IT IS RECOMMENDED IN THE K-8 ACTIVITY GUIDE.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

0%

7% 7%

29%

21%

29%

7%

1. Strongly Disagree2. Disagree3. Somewhat

Disagree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Agree6. Agree7. Strongly Agree

BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION1. Status Quo - The feeling that things could be better if something

changes. 2. Knowledge & Skills - Those who will implement the innovation must

have adequate knowledge and skills to operate the innovation. 3. Resources - Access to the materials and supplies to make the

innovation work.4. Time - Those implementing the innovation must have time to learn,

adapt, integrate, and reflect on their use of the innovation.5. Rewards & Incentives - Some type of reward, either intrinsic or

extrinsic, must be present to provide a reason to change.6. Participation - The innovator must be involved in the decision-making

process or it is unlikely the innovation will be implemented.7. Commitment - Support from administrators and managers must

come directly to those who are implementing the innovation. 8. Leadership - Support for innovators from those considered to be the

leaders.Source: Ely, D. P. (1990, 1999)

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BARRIER?(PICK THE ONE THAT AFFECTS YOU MOST)

1. Status Quo - The feeling that things could be better if something changes.

2. Knowledge & Skills - Those who will implement the innovation must have adequate knowledge and skills to operate the innovation.

3. Resources - Access to the materials and supplies to make the innovation work.

4. Time - Those implementing the innovation must have time to learn, adapt, integrate, and reflect on their use of the innovation.

5. Rewards & Incentives - Some type of reward, either intrinsic or extrinsic, must be present to provide a reason to change.

6. Participation - The innovator must be involved in the decision-making process or it is unlikely the innovation will be implemented.

7. Commitment - Support from administrators and managers must come directly to those who are implementing the innovation.

8. Leadership - Support for innovators from those considered to be the leaders.

0%

47%

7%

40%

7%

0%

0%

0%

SUGGESTED ACTION

• Build technological knowledge (TPACK)• Students & teachers• PLT educators, facilitators & state coordinators

Content Knowledge(CK)

Pedagogical Knowledge(PK)

Technological Knowledge(TK)

2 3

1

4

HOW TO INCREASE “TK”

• What you can do• Learn to do it yourself• Collaborate with an instructional technologist• Pilot test; Seek facilitator who is interested

• What National PLT can do• Next major revision of PreK-8 EE Activity Guide should

have major revision of Technology Connections • Develop online tutorials• Make technology (skills & application) part of this

conference

CAN WE TALK?

• What do you need to increase the use of technology in your state?

• Where would you seek assistance to help implement technology?

• Other questions or ideas?

THANK YOU!

Did you expect more from me?