Teachers Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Schools with 1:1 Computing

Keywords: one-to-one computing, instruction, technology integration, rural education

Abstract

This article shares the findings of a mixed method study about the implementation of 1:1 computing in a small rural Florida school district. Researchers used multiple regression analyses to examine whether Davis’ (1989) Technology Acceptance Model helped explain teachers’ adoption of 1:1. The results indicated that the rural teachers’ perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of 1:1 were significant predictors of both whole class and individualized instructions with 1:1.  The qualitative phase of the study explored the ways in which the teachers integrated 1:1 into their instructional practices and what factors motivated them to do so. The analysis showed that the teachers used 1:1 largely to foster digital literacy and collaboration as well as to conduct student assessment.  Reasons why the teachers integrated 1:1 into instruction included increasing student engagement, personalizing learning, and facilitating teacher productivity.

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Author Biographies

Ann T Musgrove, Florida Atlantic University

Dr. Ann Musgrove is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University. Her research interests include technology integration in K-12 classrooms and how higher education faculty use technology to benefit learning. Ann was part of a small group that created the first Center for eLearning at FAU.

Ann has extensive experience designing professional development programs for instructors transitioning into online and blended learning environments.  She enjoys working with faculty and administrative teams to create, administer and deliver meaningful, flexible, learning environments. She embraces the philosophy of “Pedagogy before Technology”. Currently Ann teaches instructional technology courses online and face to face at both the graduate and undergraduate level and has been teaching online for over 15 years. She is actively involved with both the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) and Quality Matters (QM). 

Bryan H Nichols, Florida Atlantic University

Dr. Bryan Nichols is an assistant professor of science and environmental education at FAU and the Environmental Education Coordinator. His background is in behavioral ecology and marine science.

Published
2020-04-08
How to Cite
Powers, J. R., Musgrove, A. T., & Nichols, B. H. (2020). Teachers Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Schools with 1:1 Computing. The Rural Educator, 41(1), 61-76. https://doi.org/10.35608/ruraled.v41i1.576
Section
Research Articles