Members in online communities of practice (CoPs) take advantage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to exchange practical or work-related knowledge in asynchronous online environments. Practical knowledge represents individuals' mental models allowing them to interact with the environment and perform tasks. With ICTs, practical…

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of one-to-one technology integration initiatives had a positive impact on student engagement. This study looked at survey results from teachers and administrators/building leaders in Southeast Missouri school districts who have been using one-to-one technology integration for a minimum of two…

This research brief comprises three articles published in the three-article dissertation at the University of Missouri (MU) in February 2023. The three-article dissertation, "An Exploration of Online Information Spaces That Support Instructional Design and Teacher Professional Development," examined three online communities of practice…

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered K-12 education, compelling physical education (PE) instructors to adapt swiftly to remote teaching. This dissertation explores the integration of instructional technology among Missouri PE teachers, analyzing practices before, during, and after the pandemic. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the…

How can Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in Missouri take lessons from the COVID-19 global pandemic to use technology to provide greater student access to highly qualified educators? Research on this question examined what impacts, influences, and disruptions occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically during the 2020-2021 school year.…

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented shift to virtual learning in America. It is unlikely that this method of instruction will end when it is safe to return to in-person instruction, even though there is limited research supporting virtual learning at the K-5 level. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the professional…

There has been a great deal written about ChatGPT since its launch in late 2022. Many news stories specifically address the impact of ChatGPT on education. However, there has been little research showing what K-12 teachers are thinking about and doing with ChatGPT. This research article helps to fill that gap. A survey of Missouri teachers was…

Using a learning management system (LMS), such as Canvas, to provide 4-H programming can support program growth. With the onset in 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic, 4-H professionals have been forced to move face-to-face activities online and challenged to work differently and in innovative ways to continue offering youth development opportunities.…

This case study explores professional academic advisors' perceived usefulness of a fully implemented academic early alert technology at a four-year, public, flagship university in the Midwest. Academic early alert technology has increasingly become more common at colleges and universities during the past two decades, followed by an increasing…

This quantitative study investigates instructors' perceptions of the factors influencing technology integration in their instruction, spanning the years 2019-2023, encompassing the transition from virtual to in-person learning after COVID-19. It examines technology integration barriers and supports experienced by instructors in the Midwestern…

This quantitative study investigates instructors' perceptions of the factors influencing technology integration in their instruction, spanning the years 2019-2023, encompassing the transition from virtual to in-person learning after COVID-19. It examines technology integration barriers and supports experienced by instructors in the Midwestern…

This quantitative study investigates instructors' perceptions of the factors influencing technology integration in their instruction, spanning the years 2019-2023, encompassing the transition from virtual to in-person learning after COVID-19. It examines technology integration barriers and supports experienced by instructors in the Midwestern…

This qualitative study was conducted in order to analyze students' experiences of online learning at the secondary level. The study identified themes related to student experiences with online learning related to technology support, interaction with peers and instructors, and with course design. Interview questions were created to interview…

This narrative qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of using Twitter as an effective professional learning tool for public school secondary-level teachers in Missouri. In addition, the researcher sought to find the perceptions of teachers who used Twitter for professional use, what they found to be valuable in developing a…

Interest in universities as anchor institutions within their communities and cities is growing as civic leaders search for ways to build local wealth. Systematic analysis of the effects of anchor institution initiatives remains difficult due to the disparate nature of anchor initiatives and a relative lack of a shared language describing the work.…