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Cite the reviewed article in APA format: Dogan, B., & Almus, K. (2014). School
Administrators’ Use of iPads: Impact of Training and Attitudes Toward School Use.Computers
in the Schools, 31(3), 233–250. doi:10.1080/07380569.2014.932660
INTRODUCTION
Research Questions (if research questions are not specifically mentioned, what is the
theoretical background or overarching theme):
1. What is the impact of the training process on school administrators’ use of iPads for
administrative tasks and personal organization in their professional duties?
2. What is the impact of the training process on school administrators’ beliefs regarding how
teachers should use iPads in the classroom?
3. Are there any differences in school administrators’ survey responses based on gender, age,
years of experience in school administration and education, highest degree attained, school
classification, or school size?
Purpose of the research: iPads were purchased and implemented in a school system based on
the assumption that they would enhance the productivity of school administrators, thus
improving school functionality and promoting a technology-rich school climate (Winslow,
Dickerson, Cheng-Yuan Lee, & Geer, 2012). Even though Winslow et al. (2012) provided
insightful information on how iPads are used by principals, the literature review conducted for
this study revealed that there was no research examining the impact of receiving specific iPad
training on school administrators’ attitudes toward iPad use. In order to determine potential
impacts in this area, a research study involving a training process, which included workshops,
online resources, and ongoing support, was designed. We developed this study based on our
experiences as a faculty member in the field of educational technology and as a faculty member
in the field of educational leadership—at a small private university located in a southwestern
metropolitan city.
METHODOLOGY
What is the methodology for the research or approach used to understand the issue?
Provide information regarding the following:
Participants:
● Elementary and secondary school administrators participated.
● The criteria for study participation included being employed as a school administrator
and having an iPad provided by the school system.
● Participants were volunteer.
● Collectively, 51 participants attended to the pre survey. 21 of them were female and 30
of them were male.
● 21 male and 16 female, totally 37 pre-survey respondents completed the post-survey.
Procedures:
● Participants in this study were contacted by email through the school systems’ central
office, after securing approvals from the school district and the university.
● The initial communication included information on the purpose, structure, and schedule
of the research study along with information on training and resources to be provided
throughout the spring semester of the 2012–2013 school year.
● Participants were asked to complete consent forms prior to the study as required by the
school district and the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).
● Fifty-one participants who owned iPads volunteered to complete the pre-survey out of
approximately 120 school administrators in the school system.
● Study components included a pre-survey, a training session on the effective use of
iPads for administrative tasks and personal organization, specially designed resources
expanding the topics covered in the training session, on-going support, and a
post-survey. The study was conducted February through May 2013.
Data Analysis:
● The survey responses were reported as frequencies. In addition, paired sample t-test
data analysis was conducted to understand the differences in the responses between the
pre- and post-surveys.
● A one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was conducted to see whether there
were any differences in school administrators’ responses by gender, age, years of
experience in school administration and education, highest degree attained, school
classi- fication, and school size. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
software was used to conduct the data analysis.
● Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to conduct the
data analysis.
RESULTS
Findings or Results (or main points of the article):
These results suggest that, in general, the training process had a positive effect on the
development of iPad skills and knowledge.
According to the results, school administrators believed that iPads were effective tools for
administrative tasks and personal organization. Besides, administrators agreed even more with
this idea after completing the training process. In general, there were increases in the frequency
of iPad use by school administrators for administrative tasks and personal organization in all
areas measured. Specifically, the increases in the areas of "delegation of tasks," "organization,"
"calendar," "exchange of documents," "Internet research" and "use of specific applications for
my work" were statistically significant. In general, these results were in alignment with
Winslow et al. (2012), in which school directors also believed that iPads provided measurable
productivity gains in the tasks of school administrators.
DISCUSSIONS
Conclusions/Implications (for your profession):
After reviewing the article, I understand the importance of training for technological tools and
how the iPad can be useful for school environments. As I understand it, this type of training in
technological tools should be continuous for schools, since technology is evolving and
changing incredibly fast. In this technological age, to be effective and useful for students, as
teachers and administrators, we need to learn the latest improvements and effective uses of
educational tools.
REFLECTIONS
Student’s Reflections (changes to your understanding; implications for your
school/work):
I found this article very useful, and the results of the research were what I expected because I
am observing the benefits of being trained to use the new technology as a teacher. The iPad is
an important member of educational and technological tools. Technology is evolving, so is
student technology. To achieve the goal of helping students in the best conditions, catching the
era and training in the latest technological tools have a vital role. As I understand it, the
investigation that the iPad is not only to teach students technology, but it is also beneficial to
use them to organize our teaching plans, send emails, communicate with parents and even have
fun, etc. It is also useful to teach this tool to school administrators for the entire long-term
school community.