Education scholars explore the experiences of teacher educators, classroom teachers, and students as they navigate the ever-changing educational technology landscape. They cover acceptance, access, and inclusivity; technology and teacher preparation; the changing role of digital tools; and digital literacy and the changing role of the library. Among specific topics are using universal design for learning to make teacher education more accessible and inclusive for all, technology integration in pre-service teacher education programs: research-based recommendations, from two-dimensional thinking to three-dimensional printing: pre-service and in-service teacher teams explore a new technology, the implementation of online education for K-12 school children, and elementary library media specialists' roles in implementing Common Core State Standards.
– Protoview Reviews
Advancing Next-Generation Teacher Education through Digital Tools and Applications is cutting-edge for digital use in education, and is one volume of the series Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development (AHEPD) Book Series where academics and researchers have an opportunity to publish papers in the field of education and improved skill development. Hailing from Framingham State University, a teacher’s college in Massachusetts, editors Mary Grassetti and Silvy Brookby requested and examined submissions to find experiences of teacher educators, classroom teachers, and students learning to use educational technology for best practices.
The front matter includes a detailed table of contents that divides 14 chapters into four sections: Acceptance, Access, and Inclusivity; Technology and Teacher Preparation; The Changing Role of Digital Tools; and Digital Literacy and the Changing Role of the Library. Within each chapter, abstracts and introductory matter provides more specifics on case studies and findings, faculty training, models, and actual preteacher and teacher dialogs in relation to digital learning. References for extended study close out chapters and key terms and definitions will be extremely useful for researchers wanting to better understand details of such things as the “instructional design of the IDDIRR Model.” (p. 158). Back Matter is standard with a slight index.
Teaching today evolves much the same as ever-changing technology. This book investigates teacher education programs and the integrating of technology in today’s classrooms. Challenges of bringing digital learning into curriculum and addressing Common Core State Standards are discussed as are barriers to technology integration, instruction, digital literacy, professional development, MOOCs, and various types of teaching approaches. Additionally addressed are different learning styles and best digital learning experiences. “To influence successful implementation of online tools, educational institutions must know what options are available and which are appropriate for their students, teachers, and parents. If chosen based on research and stakeholder’s input, successful implementation is possible” (p. 215). Contemporary and evolutionary thought on digital learning and educational implications, such as 3D printing, expand potential for redesigning both teaching and learning. Real-life examples and case studies throughout the research spawn new possibilities.
Advancing Next-Generation Teacher Education through Digital Tools and Applications is an excellent tool for those who educate teachers, administrators, policy-makers, IT personnel, and scholars in education. This book will be useful as a starting point for professional development training and workshops.
– Janis Minshull, ARBA Reviews