Assessing teachers mobile device skills and the integration of technology into their lives

Abstract

The role of technology in education is growing increasingly significant. It has implications for classroom teaching practices, assessment and systems level decision making. The success of technology programs in schools greatly depends on the attitudes and skills of teachers. This study evaluated the validity of two newly developed survey instruments for assessing an individual's skills and attitude towards mobile technology. It also looked at the relationship between those two constructs and group differences. There was a significant correlation between an individual's skills with mobile technology and their willingness to integrate the technology into their daily lives. Regression analysis revealed that an individual's skills with their device was the only significant predictor of their level of integration. Finally, skills were rated higher for individuals who used both smartphones and tablet computers versus individuals who only used smartphones. These results strengthen the validity of the two survey instruments and add to the research base for integrating mobile technology into education