Experiencing technology integration in education: children's perceptions

Experiencing technology integration in education: Children's perceptions by Baytak, Tarman, and Ayas.  They did a phenomenological study of fifth and sixth grade boys.  They questioned the boys about the use of technology at school and at home.  They also did observations after the interviews were completed.  The observations recorded their non-verbal behaviors and physical settings.   The main goal of the study was to  explore how children define and use technology in their education.  The researchers found four themes emerge from the data: the value of technology, authority over learning, misuses and misperceptions, and the border of integration.

The value of technology: The boys expressed the idea that anything that plugs in is technology.  They did not know what technology integration was, but were aware of  the influence of technology in their learning.
Authority over learning: The researchers noted that students showed more independence when using a computer then in a regular classroom setting.  The students felt that they had more power when using computers for their lessons.
Misuses and misperceptions: Most parents feel that a student's technology experience at school is considered as integration, but not in the home.  The researchers found that parents were the biggest barrier to technological integration in the home.
The border of integration: The boys felt that "searching on the Internet" was the best use for education.  They felt that efficiency, speed, and clarity benefited their educational experience more than anything else.  Some of the boys felt that the use of technology should be limited.  They preferred a person teaching them over using technology for learning.

Finally, the researchers came to the conclusion that although students felt that their use of technology isn't integration, the researchers found that it was.  Students were "gaming" online, but many times the games were educational and beneficial to the students learning.  They suggest that teachers provide students with homework and projects that require use of technology.  This may give students the feeling of being empowered and may take their learning on themselves through assignments and guidance.

I liked this research!! I felt that it was time to look at the kids perspective on technology "integration".  I know from personal experience that my students always get excited when I "integrate" any technology into their regular lessons.  I wish the Internet was readily available throughout rural Tennessee so that my students would be able to use "gaming" and fun websites to enhance their learning.  I created a whole page of fun, educational websites just for this reason:  http://www.19pencils.com/mycomputerlab/site/66