JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW TEMPLATE

North American University

Education Department
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
EDUC 5324
Name:_Aysegul Aydin_____

Date: 7/5/2015______

Cite the reviewed article in APA format:

Waxman, H., Boriack, A., Yuan-Hsuan, L., & MacNeil, A. (2013). Principals' Perceptions
of the Importance of Technology in Schools. Contemporary Educational Technology,
4(3), 187-196.
INTRODUCTION
Research Questions (if research questions are not specifically mentioned, what is
the theoretical background or overarching theme):
How was the public school principals perceptions related to the major functions of
technology that are communication, instruction, data sharing and management, a
resource , administrative tasks and student learning?
Two researches questions: (a) what are principals perceptions of the importance of
technology? (b) Do principals perceptions of technology differ by years of experience
and gender?

Purpose of the research: The purpose of this study was to indicate principals
perspectives and orientations toward technology with open-ended cognitive interview
questions. Also the study focuses on principal characteristics such as years of
experience and gender.

METHODOLOGY
What is the methodology for the research or approach used to understand the
issue? Provide information regarding the following:

Participants: A convenience sample of 310 principals from a large metropolitan

area in the southwest region of the United States responded to a cognitive
interview questionnaire that asked principals about their perceptions regarding
the importance of technology for their schools. The principals are 126 males and
184 females. 104 participants having 0-3 years of experience, 82 participants
having 4-7 years, 55 participants having 8-11 years, 32 participants having 12-15
years, and 31 participants having greater than 15 years of experience.

Procedures: -The graduate students in the Educational Leadership program

administrated the questionnaire.
-And students were trained on how to conduct the instrument and how to
interview a specific number of current public school principals.
-The survey instrument was designed especially for this purpose. Also the survey
instrument included both qualitative and quantitative questions.
-Only the data from the interviews was used for this study.
- Interviews were structured to obtain information about how the technology had
an impact in the schools.
Data Collection Methods/Data Source: Data from the interviews was used only.
Data Analysis: With a process of data reduction analysis of the interview data
began. To become familiar with the data the participants answers were read
several times. They coded the data into meaningful categories.

RESULTS
Findings or Results (or main points of the article): The results of this study show us
that principals view technology as important for carrying out communication and
instruction.
Also principals think that the importance of using technology for data sharing and
management as a resource, for administrative tasks and for student learning.
The principals perceptions of the major functions of technology depend on the
principals gender and years of experience.

DISCUSSIONS
Conclusions/Implications (for your profession): According to the studies (Anderson
& Dexter, 2005; Baylor & Ritchie, 2002; Chang, 2012; Isabelle & Lapointe, 2003; Ritchie,
1996; Sharratt, 1999) the principals positive attitudes towards technology and use of
technology is viewed by teachers as being supportive of integration of technology into
the classroom. The positive attitudes provide the principals supports the teachers and
students to use technology. That increases the achievements of the students.

REFLECTIONS
Students Reflections (changes to your understanding; implications for your
school/work): Some school administrators found that technology difficult and complex
because they didnt have any experience or training. Because of that the administrators
should have the trainings and they should attempt to improve their selves in the terms of
the new technology. The principals, who have positive perceptions through technology,
support the teachers and students. So the principals perceptions are very important and
for what the principals use the technology. For example communication, Instruction,
Data sharing & Management, Resource, Administrative tasks, Student learning. This
study showed that usage of the technology related with gender and years of the
experience.