BY: KRIS M. IRWIN, PH.D. WARNELL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY & NATURAL RESOURCES THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA NATIONAL PLT COORDINATORS CONFERENCE DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA MAY 16, 2012 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 CONNECTIONS 1.Word Processing - writing 2.Spreadsheets – data 3.Presentation Software - report 4.Graphic Software - photos & video 5.Graphic Organizer - visual thinking 6.Digital/video camera – capture 7.Peripherals - other than computers 8.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 Guide65086 High School Modules10614 Total756100

LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE Item Frequency of Response (%) Mean (SD) 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) 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 familiar Somewhat familiar Familiar Very familiar Total Ave Level = 2.14 or “Somewhat familiar”

LEVEL OF USE Technology Tools Frequency of Response (%) Mean (SD) 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 Software286 (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 Software309 (37.0) 210 (25.1) 145 (17.3) 120 (14.4) 52 (6.2) 2.28 (1.23) Graphic Organizer Software334 (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) Peripherals364 (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 IMPLEMENTATION 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. Source: Ely, D. P. (1990, 1999)

PLT VS. OTHER GROUPS a Adapted from Ensminger & Surry, 2008 b Adapted from Nawawi et al., 2005 c Adapted from Surry & Ensminger, 2002

WHAT DO YOU THINK? A simple survey Use the “clickers” to respond

THIS IS A TEST 1.Yes 2.No

I AM CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY TO USE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS WHEN TEACHING WITH THE PLT CURRICULUM. 1.Strongly Disagree 2.Disagree 3.Somewhat Disagree 4.Neutral 5.Somewhat Agree 6.Agree 7.Strongly Agree

RANK YOUR LEVEL OF FAMILIARITY WITH TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION AS PRESENTED IN THE K-8 GUIDE 1.Not familiar 2.Somewhat familiar 3.Familiar 4.Very familiar

WHICH TECHNOLOGY DO YOU USE MOST? (PICK ONE ONLY!) 1.Word processing 2.Spreadsheet 3.Presentation software 4.Graphic software 5.Graphic organizer 6.Digital/video cameras 7.Peripherals 8.Internet

IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCORPORATE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS WHEN IT IS RECOMMENDED IN THE K-8 ACTIVITY GUIDE. 1.Strongly Disagree 2.Disagree 3.Somewhat Disagree 4.Neutral 5.Somewhat Agree 6.Agree 7.Strongly Agree

BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION 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. 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%

SUGGESTED ACTION Build technological knowledge (TPACK) Students & teachers PLT educators, facilitators & state coordinators Content Knowledge (CK) Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) Technological Knowledge (TK)

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?