Julie A. Delello

Reducing the Digital Divide: Connecting Older Adults to iPad Technology

America’s older adult population is increasing at a dramatic rate due to better health care, technology, and improved living conditions. However, as individuals 65 years and older begin to live longer and experience multiple life changes, there is a larger incidence of social isolation leading to loneliness, depression, and a general decline in health. This mixed-method study aimed to explore whether information and communication technologies, specifically iPads, improved the lives of older adults. Our findings suggest that the use of technology increased knowledge, elicited closer family ties, and led to a greater overall connection to society.

Connected Yet Distracted: Multitasking Among College Students

In this study, 935 undergraduate college students from a regional four-year university responded to an online time-diary survey asking them to report their multitasking habits and practices while engaged in four main activities: reading voluntarily for fun, reading for academic purposes, watching television (TV), and using the Internet. Results showed that a majority of the students reported performing two or more tasks simultaneously, switching rapidly back and forth from one task to another. About half of the students also admitted that multitasking interfered with and influenced their ability to focus on core activities, such as reading for academic purposes. These findings have important implications for addressing media multitasking as a growing concern among college students.

A Cross-Case Analysis of the Use of Web-Based ePortfolios in Higher Education.

Higher education is mandated to document student learning outcomes and ePortfolios have been offered as a panacea for assessment, evaluation, and accreditation. However, the student voice regarding the value students construct from building and utilizing web-based electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) in higher education has been sparse or non-existent in a number of disciplines. In the current study, a total of 459 undergraduate and graduate students’ perceptions were collected through structured surveys, reflective journals, emails, and reflection papers. This mixed methods study reviews the historical foundations of contemporary web-based ePortfolios within a constructivist theoretical frame and presents four case studies from two universities in southwest USA from four disciplines (education, industrial technology, chemical engineering, and human resource development). A compilation of research findings from the four case studies yielded 27 categories that were later condensed through cross-case analysis resulting in five emerging themes: career-focused, big picture of learning, social and visual learning, enablers of ePortfolios, and barriers of ePortfolios. Each theme is discussed and illuminated by extracts of student work and supported by relevant literature. Recommendations include greater communication with students regarding expectations and requirements of the ePortfolio, providing student and faculty training on web-based ePortfolios, and forming a community of practice.

Creating virtual communities of practice with the visual social media platform Pinterest

This paper reports results of a mixed methods study on the use of the visual social media platform Pinterest in the higher education classroom. Research methods included data collection of pre-experience and post-experience student surveys from two disciplines, education and business, regarding students’ experiences using Pinterest for learning. A total of 227 students (189 undergraduate and 38 graduate students) participated in the study. Findings included student attitudes regarding the usability of Pinterest in the classroom setting, student learning and development, and ways Pinterest facilitated the development of a VCoP. Recommendations for future classroom use are given.

Comparing Delivery Approaches to Teaching Abnormal Psychology: Investigating Student Perceptions and Learning Outcomes

This study compares the academic performance and perceptions of 114 undergraduate students enrolled in an abnormal psychology course. Specifically, this study focuses on whether face-to-face (F2F) or blended modalities are associated with student learning outcomes. In this study, data analysis was based upon the examination of end-of-course grades, final exams, and an end-of-course survey. The data revealed that the same course presented in a F2F and a hybrid modality was associated with nearly identical learning outcomes in terms of student evaluations and final exam scores. However, students did note differences in course delivery in terms of time, assessment, and overall structure.

Green Technologies Enabling Virtual Learning Environments

The ubiquity of the Internet has created options for educators and business professionals to expand learning opportunities through virtual learning environments VLEs. This article discusses how green technology trends and practices such as Cloud computing, 3D printing, big data, digital badges, The Internet of Things, and real-time group meetings support green initiatives by reducing time and costs, while increasing energy efficiency. Furthermore, the impact of these emerging technologies have on the environment in regards to energy, renewable resources, recycling, and e-wastes are discussed. As technology has quickly evolved into more sophisticated forms, it has opened the options for educators and business professionals to expand learning opportunities into virtual learning spaces referred to as VLEs in this article. Major technology trends discussed that are disrupting the status quo are Cloud Computing, 3D printing, Big Data, Digital Badges, the Internet of Things, and the management of manufacturing and recycling of device e-waste. Implications and Future Research Directions are given.

Understanding the productivity of faculty members in higher education

With the price of rising tuition and mounting student debts in the USA, there continues to be much debate as to whether faculty members at universities work hard enough and whether that work benefits students. This article discusses key findings of a mixed-methods case study reflecting the breadth of work-related activities engaged in by university faculty at one regional university in Texas transitioning towards a greater focus on research. Contrary to popular press, it was found that full-time faculty members at all ranks worked more hours per week than the national average and two-thirds of those were spent in teaching related activities. The authors caution those entities pushing for large overhauls in higher education to abandon misinformation regarding faculty work roles and urge administrators to include very knowledgeable and concerned faculties in such discussions.

Decision-Making Practices During the Instrument Selection Process: The Choices We Make:

The purpose of this article is to understand the decision-making processes by assessment personnel when choosing instruments to evaluate students with learning disabilities. Eight school personnel responsible for the evaluation of students in Texas participated in face-to-face, semistructured interviews. The instruments chosen were based on a variety of factors including the personnel’s basic knowledge and training on the use of the instruments, the culture and climate of the district, and the overall characteristics of the child being tested. The findings of this study suggested that assessment personnel encounter many decisions when evaluating children with learning disabilities. Implications from this study include the need for frequent support in encouraging reflective thinking and assessment training for those responsible for the important decisions regarding the identification and placement of students who are learning disabled.