Online School Librarian Preparation: Technology Acceptance and Integration to Engage More Students

• In Event: Technology in Teaching and Teacher Education

Abstract

Digital learning applications have developed exponentially, and many have been integrated into teaching and learning. The constant development of technology requires continuous improvements in the skill set of school librarians. This proposal will introduce a study conducted within an online graduate-level Library Media course, within which school librarian candidates explored various methods for teaching literacy with the media products they created using technologies. A Professional Development (PD) on digital learning apps was supplemented to help the candidates update their technology skills. A comparative mixed-methods study conducted along the PD found candidates improved significantly in technology acceptance and that they creatively integrated technology while they implemented them in collaboration with partnering teachers to engage more students.

Authors

• Haihong Helen Hu, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

• Rachelle Miller, University of Central Arkansas

• Donna Wake, University of Central Arkansas