This research study investigates how teachers' beliefs and attitudes impact their use of technology in Maltese primary schools. The researcher obtained permission from various educational authorities to conduct questionnaires, observations, interviews and have teachers keep reflective journals. A pilot study was conducted to test and modify the research instruments. So far, 40 questionnaires have been collected from 3 schools, and 6 teachers agreed to keep reflective journals. However, scheduled observations and interviews were often postponed. The researcher plans to analyze questionnaire data quantitatively and content analyze open-ended responses thematically. Examples of technology used in some classrooms are shown.

1. Research Study: Project update

2. Investigating the impact of teachers’ educational beliefs, attitudes and pedagogy on the use of educational technology, innovation and e-learning in Maltese primary schools. Research Title:

5. Methodology This research is based on an ethnographic approach and qualitative methods are used although there is a small amount of quantitative data to provide triangulation. Ethnography was chosen as this approach: … uncovers meaning which is inaccessible through other forms of enquiry, using interpretation, interaction, content, emotion and aesthetic experience. Unstructured data, including observations of behaviour and recorded speech, are analysed and interpreted by the researcher, resulting in an explanation of meaning in its situated context. Singh and Dickson(2003)

7. Pilot Study: Questionnaires: piloted with primary class teachers from colleges which will not be participating in the research as well as colleagues who very recently were primary class teachers before moving on to joining the elearning support staff. Results: Questionnaire was amended and modified accordingly . Observations/Reflective Journals/Interviews: piloted with one class or volunteering teacher. Results: Guidelines for observations,journals and interviews revised and schedules modified accordingly.

8. Questionnaires The questionnaire was distributed in 5 primary schools – all part of St. Ignatius College namely: Luqa, Qormi St. Sebastian, Qormi St. George, Siggiewi and Zebbug Primary schools. Data Collection: 40 questionnaires have been collected to date from 3 schools.(In these schools there was a 100% return rate) 2 more schools remain with questionnaires to be still collected.

9. Reflective Journals Around 6 teachers from various schools volunteered to keep reflective journals of using technology in the classroom. I provided them with guidelines to address my research questions and remind them each time I visit their class to continue with the journal. Limitations I am keeping a reflective journal myself of the technology being used (or not used) as most were reluctant to continue with the journals due to lack of time. Data Collection I have sent out emails reminding the teachers that were still interested that I will be collecting the journals as from this week. Hope to receive them by email or collect them when visiting.

10. Observations 5 Classes volunteered to have me observe sessions when they would be using some form of technology in the classroom. Limitations Unfortunately each time I scheduled visits activities would crop up in schools and observations post-poned from week to week for one reason or another. I decided to be a participant observer in my own sessions.

11. Interviews 3 interviews have been scheduled for this week. I plan to use semi-structured interviews and probe accordingly. Data Collection All interviews will be voice-recorded for transcribing later on.

12. The following slides show: Examples of TEL used in some Maltese classrooms These were part of the observations or participant observations carried out. Click on the pictures to see the videos they link to

17. Analysis Questionnaires -Excel Spreadsheet will be used for the closed ended or likert type questions. This will facilitate eliciting descriptive statistics which will be presented through pie charts and similar graphs. Open ended questions in questionnaire, observations, interviews, reflective journals: - will be analysed thematically using content analysis. Categories will be created. Data reduction of categories will follow. A written narrative of the analysis and interpretation of the data will yield recommendations and lead to the conclusion.

18. Sample Questionnaires were distributed to all primary schools in one college – St. Ignatius college. A maximum of 80 teachers were involved. The observations/reflective journals and interviews were restricted to one school due to logistical and time problems. 5 teachers opted to keeping a reflective journal, 5 to having observations carried out in class and 5 to interviews. Most of these dropped out for one reason or another and have fewer teachers participating

19. Validity of data The validity of the data presented is tested, as seen, by using various research methods and various research instruments. This triangulation allows data to be viewed from different angles and probed accordingly to elicit more meaning. In this way reliability will be tested as well.