Perceptions of Campus Administrators, Teachers, and Students on Use of Interactive Videoconferencing for the Delivery of High School Algebra in Selected Rural Public HIgh Schools in South Texas

Abstract

Campus administrators from rural public school districts are continuously looking for creative innovative ways to respond to the educational challenges placed upon them by federal and state-legislated accountability requirements. Advances in interactive videoconferencing (ITVC) technologies provide a way to address these challenges. However, these advancements sometimes lack needed resources to make a network of this magnitude work. The Mid-Rio Collaborative was established to share educational resources and knowledge between Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, and surrounding rural public school districts in South Texas. The established collaborative provided the backdrop for the study while meeting the educational needs of this region. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of interactive videoconferencing as a viable alternative for the delivery of high school Algebra. A mixed methods case study of four campuses explored the perceptions of administrators teachers, and students in the use of interactive videoconferencing. The sampled population included 4 administrators, 4 teachers, 35 students (12 experimental and 23 control) from selected rural districts. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were utilized in identifying perceptions of participating principals, teachers, and students. Major findings of this study included (a) campus administrators’ values and beliefs influence teacher use of interactive videoconferencing; (b) a difference exists in experienced and novice teacher perceptions regarding the impact of ITVC, (c) perceptions are dependent upon the Teacher Partner role in the teaching and learning process; (d) increased interaction between students, teacher, content, other learners, and technology exists with instruction delivered through ITVC; (e) perceptions of cognitive and classroom conditions differed between students receiving instruction via face-to-face and interactive videoconferencing; finally, (f) students receiving instruction through ITVC did not demonstrate academic gains in state-mandated tests (TAKS). Study results support the current body of research that contends there is no significant difference between instruction delivered face-to-face and instruction being delivered via interactive videoconferencing.