Reconceptualizing Educational Technology Integration in a Middle Level Teacher Preparation Program

Authors

Deborah H. McMurtrie, University of South Carolina AikenFollow
Bridget K. Coleman, University of South Carolina AikenFollow
Gary J. Senn, University of South Carolina AikenFollow

Abstract

Our middle level education (MLE) faculty recently engaged in a self-study guided by this research question: How is our university preparing our MLE teacher candidates to integrate technology in teaching and learning? There were two overarching goals: 1) identify where we can introduce, practice, reinforce, and master technology skills and concepts. 2) reconceptualize our technology integration course. Our process included collaborating with stakeholders, surveying teacher candidates, examining theoretical underpinnings, exploring research-based best practices, and analyzing our programs. Data was collected through multi-year technology surveys and semi-structured focus group interviews. We grouped survey data into three broad technology categories: instructional delivery, student collaboration, and student-facing learning (Inan & Lowther, 2010). The data revealed that technologies for teacher-facing instruction were most frequently used, with fewer technologies used for collaborating or student-facing learning. Three themes emerged from interviews: Course Design, Instructor Presence, and Student Engagement. We discovered that while technology tools themselves are important, what is more important is why, when, and how we use them. Teacher candidates need to learn ways to leverage everchanging technology tools to differentiate instruction for all learners. As a result of this study, we increased the technology integration course from two to three hours and organized it around the technology categories. We also implemented program-wide, cross-curricular integration projects.

Author Bio

Dr. Deborah H. McMurtrie is a Professor in the School of Education at the University of South Carolina Aiken. She is the coordinator of the middle level education program and teaches courses in adolescent development, diversity, classroom management, curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She is the Editor of the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (SCAMLE) Journal.

Dr. Bridget K. Coleman is a Professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken where she works with mathematics education and leadership programs. Dr. Coleman’s research interests include cross-curricular connections and innovation in teacher preparation programs.

Dr. Gary J. Senn is a Professor in the School of Education at the University of South Carolina Aiken. He is the Director of the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and the Principal Investigator for the Center of Excellence in Middle-level Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST).

DOI

10.20429/cimle.2026.29201

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

McMurtrie, Deborah H.; Coleman, Bridget K.; and Senn, Gary J. (2026) "Reconceptualizing Educational Technology Integration in a Middle Level Teacher Preparation Program," Current Issues in Middle Level Education: Vol. 29: Iss. 2, Article 1.
DOI: 10.20429/cimle.2026.29201
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cimle/vol29/iss2/1