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: ________Kristine Nguyen___________________ Date: _11/3/19_

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):
(a) What are principals’ perceptions of the importance of technology? and (b) Do
principals’ perceptions of technology differ by years of experience and gender?

Purpose of the research:

The purpose of this study was to examine the principals’ perspectives and orientations
toward technology. The present study focuses on principal characteristics such as years
of experience and gender.

METHODOLOGY

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

Participants:

There were 310 principals (consisted of 126 males and 184 females) from a large
metropolitan area in the southwest region of the United States.

Procedures:

A convenience sample of cognitive interview questionnaire that asked principals about

their perceptions regarding the importance of technology for their schools. The sample
consisted of 126 males and 184 females. A range of years of experience was present
with 104 participants having 0-3 years of experience, 82 participants having 4-7 years,
55 participants having 8-11 years, 32 participants having 12-15 years, and 31
participants having greater than 15 years of experience.

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. Students administered the survey instrument and interviewed
a specific number of current public school principals. For this study, only the data from
the interviews was used. The interview questions were “Has technology had an impact
in your school?" and "If so, in what specific ways has it made a difference?”

Data Collection Methods/Data Source:

Administration of survey instrument with both qualitative and quantitative questions,

and open ended, cognitive interview questionnaire.

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. The inter-coder reliability results revealed a high level of
agreement (Cohen’s kappa = .94).

RESULTS

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

The principals’ responses for the major functions of technology were grouped into six
categories. About one-third (35%) of the principals indicated that technology was used
as a primary communication tool. Over one-quarter (28%) of principals responded that
technology was integrated in teachers’ classroom instruction. The third category was
using technology for data sharing and management (14%). Category four was using
technology as a resource to find information (15%). Technology was also used for
administrative tasks, such as taking attendance (10%). Finally, technology was used for
student learning (10%).

DISCUSSIONS

Conclusions/Implications (for your profession):

Technology is fundamental to improve instructional practices and communication in
the school community. School leaders must keep up with the latest technology to train
and help teachers integrate adequate technology in the classroom. In today’s
technology-rich environment, principals should have high technological knowledge
and be the technology leaders to lead and support technology incorporation into
schools.
Principals need to take a leadership role in planning for the purchase and
implementation of new technology (Anderson & Dexter, 2005; Peck, Mullen, Lashley,
& Eldridge, 2011).
 REFLECTIONS

Student’s Reflections (changes to your understanding; implications for your

school/work):
My previous principal was a technology leader who planned, introduced, and
purchased new technology devices for school utilization. Teachers were trained to
become Google Certified and incorporate the use of Google Classrooms in their
lessons, which save a great deal of printing and paper consumption. This method
allows teachers to create, grade, and provide feedback on assignments. The majority of
the students’ work are available to be submitted electronically. Students and parents
can track their progress with online access to assignments, grades, and teacher
feedback as well.

My school is up-to-date with technology integration. Most work and assessments are
assigned and uploaded online. Students and staff also have online access to textbooks,
reading and library books with each individual login.