Date of Conferral

1-1-2008

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Marydee Spillett

Abstract

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 mandates that middle school students be technologically literate by the end of 8th grade, but teachers need more information on how to make this outcome a reality. This qualitative phenomenological study used a constructivist theoretical framework to investigate teachers' descriptions of technological literacy outcomes, instructional practice, and challenges influencing middle school student technological literacy. Twelve teachers at 1 public middle school in a large urban area of Georgia were interviewed. Data were analyzed using the typological method with the inclusion of both inductive and predetermined categories. Teachers described technologically literate middle school students as able to perform basic computer skills and use those skills for research and problem-solving. Teachers' instructional practices included modeling and demonstration, hands-on practice, coaching, collaboration, and frequent assessment to achieve the outcome of student technological literacy. Challenges that can impede teachers' implementation of practices for technological literacy included lack of school support, equipment, time, and effective professional development. Recommendations to overcome challenges include increasing availability of equipment by providing better ways to schedule the computer laboratories and staff to monitor the equipment. Relevant up-to-date staff development and inclusion of technological literacy as a school goal were also suggested. This study may influence social change because it may help teachers improve practices to develop students' technological literacy skills necessary for successful employment in the 21 st century.

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