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This study reports on the effects of professional development (PD) training programs on faculty's perceptions and uses of technology for teaching and learning using mixed methods. Collected data include survey questionnaires to faculty at a school of education (N = 47) and focus group interviews on nine participants. The qualitative findings suggest a need for a more theory-based PD format. The quantitative findings highlight the benefits of cohort training models where faculty learn from one another. By offering a safe environment to explore and experiment with innovative practices; a network of faculty support for continued innovation is established. Faculty's perceived value of training programs varies depending on their stand on integrating technology into their pedagogical practices, which in turn, is partially determined by the subject area they teach. The study can be replicated with expansion to faculty participants from different colleges and schools to tell a complete story of their adoption of technology and teaching practices across disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children are exposed to digital devices at an early age. This study examines parents' perception of student digital safety on technology use, time spent, parent concerns and knowledge on various digital safety topics. Through a survey-based study, we analyzed data collected from 113 parents. Parents mentioned that their kids use Internet via tablets and laptops primarily to watch videos, play games, and for schoolwork. Parents were knowledgeable about apps and gaps their children used for education and entertainment. Regarding time limits and restricting access, 40% of parents let their kids online for 1–2 hours in a day and 47% of parents set time limits. Parents are concerned all the time about their child's digital safety with the biggest concern being their kids being exposed to sexual content and them talking to strangers. Parents perceive themselves to be knowledgeable on most of the digital safety topics discussed in this study. Parents recommend to ensure age restrictions and identity verification when using various websites and games. This study has implications for parents of elementary school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of information and communication technology (ICT) has changed the way we live and this also has implications on how it is used for learning and entertainment. However, technology and digital media are more often seen as gateways to entertainment and the attraction is a very strong one. This is true for adults and children including pre-schoolers. This online survey research investigated parents' attitudes and concerns towards their pre-schoolers' use of technology and digital media in Singapore. More specifically, this survey research explored parents' attitudes towards the 'what' and 'why' questions of pre-schoolers' use of technology and digital media at home; what technological devices were more commonly used, what digital media activities were pre-schoolers mostly engaged in (i.e., learning or entertainment) and why technology and digital media were used. Parents were also surveyed if they were concerned about some perceived effects of their pre-schooler's digital media use. Although parents rated and ranked improving their pre-schoolers' skills and knowledge as the highest in terms of importance of digital media use, the findings of the survey reflected that the amount of time their pre-schoolers use technology and digital media for entertainment is significantly more than that for learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology integration in classroom settings has become a popular concept, especially due to the growth of the digital native population of learners and the novelty of technology tools. This exploratory study aimed at introducing a low-cost Virtual Reality kit, Google Expeditions, in a language classroom and explore its potential as a student-led tool for supporting language learning and teaching. The use of Google Expeditions was guided by teach-back, a pedagogical methodology which emphasises communication and comprehension through spoken interaction. Data were collected through interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, observations and video-taped sessions. Findings provide information on the patterns followed when pedagogically implementing Google Expeditions under teach-back. What is more, evidence is provided on how collaboration is encouraged and on the positive learning experiences of the students in the Google Expeditions sessions. Implications for researchers and instructional designers are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]