The Impact of a Professional Development Approach on the Implementation of Technology in the Science Classroom

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of different approaches to professional development on the implementation of technology in the science classroom. The measurement tool used in this study was an electronic survey that was emailed to participants after the training sessions were conducted. The study was a descriptive study aimed at determining if there was a difference in the implementation of the technology in the classroom, based upon the type of professional development provided. Results indicated that participants who attended the training that included additional independent practice time with the technology were more likely to implement the technology in their classrooms. Research in the area of technology professional development should continue due to the increased types of technology available for instructional use.