JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW TEMPLATE

North American University

Education Department
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership / M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
EDUC 5324 Integrating Technology into Education

Name: Alvina Rehman Date: 09-18-2017

Cite the reviewed article in APA format:

Waxman, H., Boriack, A., Yuan-Hsuan, L., & MacNeil, A. (2013). Principals'
Perceptions of the Importance of Technology in Schools. Contemporary Educational
Technology, 4(3), 187-196.

INTRODUCTION

Research Questions (if research questions are not specifically mentioned, what is
the theoretical background or overarching theme):
Additional research has focused on principals work, perceptions, and attitudes in order to
determine if principals behaviors influence student learning and teachers behavior.
Although technology is often viewed as a strategy that will facilitate students academic
achievement, there are many studies that have found that technology is not being
integrated in schools. Teachers also perceive that school principals attitudes toward
technology are crucial in promoting technology integration in schools.

Purpose of the research:

The few studies that have examined principals perspectives on technology planning,
access, and orientations used survey questions that required narrow, dichotomous yes or
no responses. This study builds on the prior research and includes an open- ended,
cognitive interview question that allows for the examination of principals perspectives
and orientations toward technology.

METHODOLOGY
What is the methodology for the research or approach used to understand the
issue? Provide information regarding the following:

Participants: Consisted of 126 males and 184 females.

Procedures: The questionnaire was administered by graduate students in the

Educational Leadership program at a major, urban doctoral-granting university located in
the south central region of the U.S. As part of the principals certification course
requirements, students were trained on how to administer the instrument and required to
interview a specific number of current public school principals. The survey instrument
was designed specifically for this purpose and included both qualitative and quantitative
questions.

Data Collection Methods/Data Source: Principals Perceptions of the Major

Function of Technology, Principals Perceptions of the Major Function of Technology by
Sex, Principals Perceptions of the Major Function of Technology by Years of
Experience

Data Analysis: Analysis of the interview data began with a process of data reduction.
The participants responses were read several times to become familiar with the data. The
data was then coded into meaningful categories. Once the categories were established,
another researcher independently coded a 10% sample of responses to determine the
consistency of the coding.

RESULTS

Findings or Results (or main points of the article):

The results from the present study suggest that principals view technology as important
for carrying out communication and instruction. They also see the importance of using
technology for data sharing and management, as a resource. This may influence the
leadership that principals provide when implementing technology in their schools and
needs to be studied further in order to better understand the implications for technology
use in schools.
 DISCUSSIONS

Conclusions/Implications (for your profession):

Teachers used computers for simulations and models or for data analysis, This is in line
with the trend towards conceptual understanding and scientific investigation. Today's
economy is based on a global perspective. We need to compete and collaborate with the
world. Technology is a necessity in today's world and we must be ready for it. The
Department of Education, and other federal agencies recognize the essential role of
technology in 21st century education. Computers can provide universal success by
dividing lessons into segments to the extent needed to make sure that everyone can
accomplish something. My background in education is versatile and has provided the
professional knowledge to conduct this study.

REFLECTIONS

Students Reflections (changes to your understanding; implications for your

school/work):

In todays education system, technology must be wide-spread for effective

implementation in the schools for student learning and curriculum. Many school
administrators have challenges with technology that require changes in their skill sets.
This study explored the attitudes and perceptions related to how high school
administrators supported their technology missions and visions by investigating how they
organized, planned, and implemented technology.