Effects of Technology Immersion on Teachers' Growth in Technology Competency, Ideology, and Practices

Abstract

In the study of the Technology Immersion model, high-need middle schools were “immersed” in technology by providing laptops for each teacher and student, instructional and learning resources, professional development, and technical and pedagogical support. This article reports third-year findings for the teacher component of the theory-driven evaluation. Using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to analyze longitudinal survey data, we found that Technology Immersion has a statistically significant effect on teachers' growth rate for technology knowledge and skills, ideological affiliations with technology integration and learner-centered instruction, and the frequency of class activities involving technology. Treatment teachers' technical proficiency and their school's innovative culture, ongoing professional development, and parent/community support predicted teachers' higher classroom immersion. The authors discuss the viability of the Technology Immersion model and implications for technology integration in classrooms.