At the same time our society has become more dependent on technology and as the global competition that exists in science, industry, and business intensifies, there has been a waning interest in science and mathematics by elementary and secondary students in United States schools. The phenomenon of art as a universal language and children accepting new technology as the norm and a way to fit in with their peers provides the opportunity to reach and teach many through art and technology. Often by the age of ten, youngsters have made judgments about themselves and their abilities. Many think they have no artistic ability if they cannot draw realistically or that science and math is too hard. Some of the abstract concepts we ask students to grasp in mathematics and science become clear when presented during hands-on demonstrations in math and science, through art. The fact that I am a woman artist using holography and video opens new ways of thinking about art and technology. I plant the seed that maybe you do not have to draw realistically to be good at art. I plant the seed that technology can be used in art. I plant the seed that there is art in technology. I plant the seed that girls, as well as boys, can communicate ideas and excel using technology and art. Of course planting the seed is a good beginning. Teaching holography is where nourishing of the seed produces the bloom. If technology is the door through which students enter holography, art is the window of expression that allows the students to use holography to create landscapes the mind has envisioned. Without art education, a critical component in the creation process would be missing. Art holds and guides the hand of technology in holography as an art form and is a crucial component for experiencing success in the creative formula. Art taught through holography or holography taught through art, are interchangeable with the end result being knowledge that can be measured, applied, and visually observed. Holograms are used all over the world for security purposes, in laboratories to perform nondestructive testing, in art galleries to exhibit multicolor and artistic concepts, in electronic circuits, and in computer-generated optical elements. Lasers in barcode scanners are used globally to read information. In addition to a hologram being made with light waves, a hologram can be made with sound waves and other waves in the electro-magnetic spectrum. Holograms made with X-rays or ultraviolet light can record images of particles smaller than visible light, such as atoms or molecules. Microwave holography detects images deep in space by recording the radio waves they emit. Acoustical holography uses sound waves to see through solid objects. Physicists use holography to record interactions of sub-atomic particles. Optical engineers use holography to make minute measurements; biologists study cells and tissue, and mechanical engineers use holographic interferometry to test for stress and faults in a variety of materials. These are just some of the holographic innovations and applications being utilized today. Holography's ability to record and reconstruct both light and sound waves makes it a valuable tool for science, industry, education, business, and art. With availability, ease of use, and education, just like photography, holography will become less marginalized as people see and understand the possibilities of the multiple applications for education that exist in holography. The mindset or preconceived idea that science and technology are hard to understand and not enjoyable can be changed through the art and education inherent in holography. Much like “art on a cart” holography can be “holography on wheels”. While not the ideal way to present holography, a portable presentation method may be instrumental in the initial acceptance of holography as an educational tool. Large numbers of students and teachers can be introduced to the basic concepts, wonder, and possibilities of holography in a presentation that is easily set up, taken down, and transported to a different location. Inexpensive diode lasers are small, easily built or obtained, and safe. Through education and recognition as an artist using holography and video I seek to demystify the process and promote the voice I have found as an artist and educator using technology.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental condition characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication as well as restricted/repetitive behaviors. The communication difficulties experienced by children with ASD include atypical prosodic speech. When such difficulties are present, they become a major hinderance to social integration as well as education. This study evaluated the utility of the Voice Meter Pro application for increasing the voice volume of a 14-year-old girl with ASD who spoke in a low voice volume. A practice procedure, using modeling at an exaggerated volume, was also evaluated for its ability to increase the effectiveness of the feedback provided by the app. During this condition, the participant was provided with additional prompting as well as more opportunities to respond and have her increased voice volume reinforced. The present procedure was not effective for increasing the participant’s voice volume. Limitations of the current study and considerations for the design of future applications and studies involving voice volume are identified.

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to explore the competencies and skill sets of participating K-12 online teachers in Ohio through an online survey based on relevant standards issued by specialized organizations, such as the North American Council for online Learning (NACOL), National Education Association, and Southern Regional Educational Board. The survey items helped identify the self-reported competencies and skill sets of ninety-eight participating K-12 online teachers in Ohio. The findings of this study indicated that the subjects in this research project need technical support systems in place to work effectively in the online environment. Additionally, the participants required further training in using technology in terms of assistive technologies for special needs students. Moreover, these virtual environment instructors would benefit from having more hours of both face-to-face and hybrid professional development customized to their specific online teaching needs, designed to form collaborative communities of practice.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative research case study was to analyze the impact that an integration lesson plan, used as part of the TPACK professional development model, might have on the use of technology in the instructional practices of seven classroom teachers. The study also analyzed what impact the lesson plan might have on these teachers’ beliefs and perceptions about the role of technology in the classroom. A constant comparative method of data analysis was used to analyze the data and identify patterns and themes. Two research questions guided this study: 1) What impact, if any, does ongoing professional development using a TPACK supported model have on the use of technology in the instructional practices of classroom teachers? 2) What impact, if any, does ongoing professional development using a TPACK supported model have on these teachers’ beliefs about the role of technology in the classroom? Data analysis of the first research question identified three broad areas of impact using the model: instructional planning process, use of assessment practices, and awareness of technological limitations. Data analysis of the second research question identified two significant categories on participants’ beliefs. It was an effective way to motivate students while reaching the participants’ goals. Second, participants now believed that they would include technology as a standard feature in their future classroom instruction. Results of the study found that educators who were introduced to and aided in the use of a TPACK supported model for technology integration were able to use technology more effectively.

The purpose of this study was to explore how online teacher participants identifytheir professional development goals and the elements that should be included in the design of a professional development course for online teachers in K-12 education. The research questions addressed in this study were 1) What are the professional development goals of online teachers, and 2) which elements should be included in the design of a professional development course? This research was conducted as a basic interpretive qualitative study that focused on professional development goals and instructional design preferences of the four first year online teachers. Interviews, an observation of a synchronous session, analysis of online classrooms, and course documents were collected and analyzed to identify the teachers' professional development goals and instructional design preferences. The findings of this study indicated that: (a) the online teachers have goals of increasing student engagement, (b) the online teachers have a desire to increase their knowledge and ability in using technology, (c) the online teachers prefer to have professional development course content that is relevant to their specific online teaching needs, and (d) online course content should be offered through a variety of presentation techniques.

Productivity growth drives long-term economic growth and rising living standards in a modern economy. Information and communications technology (ICT) has been a key driver of both total factor productivity (TFP) and labor productivity growth since the 1990s. Japan, which has consistently had the lowest labor productivity in the G7, has not seen significant levels of ICT-driven productivity growth in its non-manufacturing sectors despite investing heavily in ICT hardware. This paper explores the reasons for Japan’s failure to reap productivity gains from its ICT investments. I claim Japanese firms have failed to invest in organizational capital and new business practices to maximize the potential of ICT. A preponderance of very small firms with elderly managers have left large swaths of the economy with minimal ICT investment. Part of the failure to update business practices stems from labor market rigidity which reduces the labor input savings from ICT systems and inefficient capital markets which protect inefficient incumbent firms. Furthermore, the low rate of firm entry and exit, coupled with a lack of foreign direct investment, hinders the adoption of new ideas and the reallocation of capital and labor.