TEACHER PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES USING THE APPLE IPAD AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL TOOL A thesis presented by Carlos R. Perez, Jr. to The School of Education In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the field of Education College of Professional Studies Northeastern University Boston Massachusetts April 2017 1 | P a g e ABSTRACT The number of iPads in classrooms throughout the country is growing at a staggering rate. Educators and school districts are implementing iPad initiatives to enhance instruction. The purpose of this study was to examine high school teachers’ experiences and perceptions after using the Apple iPad as an instructional tool in the classroom. An extensive review of related literature was conducted in an effort to supply a strong foundation for the conceptual framework, research design, data collection, and analysis of this future study. One-on-one in-depth qualitative research interviews were the main method of collecting data for this study, which led to the researchers’ understanding of their experience. Subjects for this study were made of three (3) teachers who have been using the iPad in their instruction. 2 | P a g e Table of Contents Definitions of Key Terminology Used in This Study ................................................................................ 5 Chapter 1 .................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................................................ 9 Significance of Research Problem ........................................................................................................... 10 Positionality Statement ........................................................................................................................... 11 Research Central and Sub-Questions ...................................................................................................... 12 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................................................... 18 Literature Review .................................................................................................................................... 18 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 19 iPad Studies ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Experiences & Perceptions of Professional Development & Ongoing Learning ................................. 30 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 3 ............................................................................................................................................................... 37 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 37 Research Design ...................................................................................................................................... 37 Research Tradition .................................................................................................................................. 37 Participants ............................................................................................................................................. 39 Recruitment & Access ............................................................................................................................. 39 Data Collection ........................................................................................................................................ 42 Data Storage............................................................................................................................................ 42 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Trustworthiness ...................................................................................................................................... 44 Chapter 4 ............................................................................................................................................................... 46 Findings ................................................................................................................................................... 46 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 46 Instrumentation .................................................................................................................................. 47 Sample ................................................................................................................................................. 48 Data Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Participant Employment ..................................................................................................................... 48 How Did It Go Your First Year? ................................................................................................................ 50 Experiencing the Unexpected Benefits of the iPad ................................................................................ 52 Professional Development .................................................................................................................. 52 3 | P a g e Paperless Environment ....................................................................................................................... 53 Role of the Teacher ............................................................................................................................. 54 Immediacy Factor ................................................................................................................................ 55 iPad as an Assessment Tool ................................................................................................................ 56 Value in Project-Based Learning ......................................................................................................... 59 New Discoveries During Year Two .......................................................................................................... 60 The Abundance of Apps ...................................................................................................................... 60 Enhancements to Your Classes ............................................................................................................... 61 A Review of the Emerging Commonalities .............................................................................................. 62 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................................... 69 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 71 Chapter 5 ............................................................................................................................................................... 72 Interpretations, Implications, and Recommendations ........................................................................... 72 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 72 Study Overview ................................................................................................................................... 72 Interpretation of Findings ....................................................................................................................... 73 Finding 1: iPad use had added value in the classroom. ...................................................................... 73 Finding 2: iPad use supports teacher to student engagement. .......................................................... 74 Finding 3: iPad use does not come with PD. ....................................................................................... 75 Finding 4: iPad use fosters a paper free environment. ....................................................................... 76 Implications for Further Research .......................................................................................................... 76 Implications for Practice ......................................................................................................................... 79 Implications for Professional Practice..................................................................................................... 81 References ...........................................................................................................................................................