Dissertation reviews completed as requirement for EDET780

1. Dawn Anderson
May 27, 2015
Dissertation Reviews
Introduction
Today’s classroom environments can be greatly enriched through the integration of technology.
Within my school, not many teachers actually have more than the basic technology implemented
within their classrooms. I decided to center my dissertation research upon technology use within
schools, more precisely within English classrooms. I chose one older article, due to sheer
personal interest of how technology has progressed, and two more recent articles to explore
current opinions. In general, the number of dissertations specific to English classrooms were low,
but each dissertation added to my knowledge base as I prepare to implement more technology
within my own classroom.
Dissertation #1
Rapp, C. S. (1997). A survey of factors affecting computer implementation in rural northeast
tennessee K-12 public schools (Order No. 9807600). Available from ProQuest Dissertations &
Theses Global. (304351576). Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/304351576?accountid=25998
Summary
This dissertation addresses many problems keeping rural k-12 Tennessee schools from using
technology to its fullest potential. The identified problems include a lack of computer access,
funding, time, training, experience, and the fear of change. The study included many variables in
regard to teachers and principals and their needs for training and retraining in respect to why they
are not using technology. The variables that were investigated were gender, level of education,
age, prior experience with technology, and attitude. Multiple conclusions were reached,
including the following: schools lack computer access, teacher training, the teachers and
administrators believe technology would be helpful to them and will be indispensable in the
future, male and female school employees have similar attitudes about technology, age
differences cause varied levels of technological experience but not attitude, it would be useful to
group teachers and administrators into variable groups for learning, and the potential for the use
of technology is not being realized within Tennessee schools.
Review
Although this dissertation was written 18 years ago, the findings are sadly still applicable today.
We still face a lack of technology present within many of our classrooms, thus lacking an
opportunity to help our students to prepare for the twenty first century workforce. Also, the same
problems the dissertation addresses are present within certain public school systems today. Even
if technology is available, many teachers do not use it due to lack of training or fear of change.
The research completed within this dissertation visits the importance of graduates having basic
computer skills, such as spreadsheets and word processing. Something amazing this study
revealed was that President Clinton’s 2000 goal was to bring internet to every school classroom
and library. My school, a high school in South Carolina, has internet access available to students
in only a handful of business classrooms, and one regular classroom. The dissertation is very
well written and well referenced, with many quantitative facts which were obtained through

2. surveys. The author, Carl Rapp, has an impressive vitae, including multiple publications,
education, and teaching experience.
Dissertation #2
Bumgarner, B. L. (2012). Digital storytelling in writing: A case study of student teacher attitudes
toward teaching with technology(Order No. 3533990). Available from ProQuest Dissertations &
Theses Global. (1264877683). Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1264877683?accountid=25998
Summary
This particular dissertation explored how new teachers teach digital storytelling to students who
actually are more technologically advanced than their teachers. The study realized the fact that
using technology within the classroom helps to keep students engaged and motivated, but did not
remove apathy. The author is asking for a change in two aspects. One, ensure that incoming
teachers are better trained to use technology within their classrooms. Second, teachers should see
digital storytelling and literacy as a way of thinking. The study also views using technology
during writing instruction is a wonderful starting point. This study also brought up an obvious
realization, our students are happily writing daily within social media, and if we can use
technology as a means of writing instruction, our results could greatly improve in ways which
may have been previously unimagined.
Review
I truly could relate to the phrase which stated that teachers today are expected to constantly
change to meet the changing needs of our digital learners. This honestly is the entire reason I
chose the Ed. Tech. program for my master degree. When I moved into the teaching field, I was
ignorant as to using technology in general, let alone within my classroom, and I felt inferior to
my students. Many points brought up within this dissertation hit home for me. Also, I must admit
that the study found the divide between technology abilities has nothing to do with student socio-
economic level, but instead the huge gap is between the students and the teachers. This also
relates to much of the other literature I have read, how do we train all educators to use
technology to enrich their curriculum and help the students to better prepare for life after school?
Dissertation #3
Simpson, C. L. (2013). A comparative study of teachers' perceptions of traditional teaching and
teaching with technology: Pre-technology era and post-technology era (Order No.
3596264). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1448884628).
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1448884628?accountid=25998
Summary
This particular dissertation focused upon teacher perceptions of teaching with technology versus
teaching in the traditional classroom. Only two teachers were used as participants in the study,

3. but the study did provide many valuable conclusions. An amazing realization is brought up, until
the last two or so decades, traditional classrooms were all that existed, and teachers just had
paper, writing utensils, books and chalkboards to teach with. Also discussed is the wide variety
of technology which is now available to classroom teachers, but with any inclusion of
technology, this changes both their curriculum and method of teaching. Although change may be
difficult for some teachers, using technology can both improve communication between teachers
and students, and it also can improve student learning and preparation for adult life within a
global society.
Review
There were many realizations brought up within this dissertation which caused me to reflect
upon my own classroom. For example, the author reminded readers of an obvious but overlooked
point, our students have grown up most of their lives surrounded by technology, so it is only
natural for them to expect us to use technology within our schools to promote learning. The
major downfall I see of this study is that there were no actual observations, and only two teachers
were questioned.