Exploring Technology Adoption and The Role of Care in K-12 Education

This collection of research papers explores the intersection of technology adoption and the role of care in K-12 education through both quantitative and qualitative approaches. I used a systematic literature of the UTAUT and UTAUT2 frameworks in K-12 to understand the key factors influencing technology adoption among educators. In a survey of K-12 educators across the United States (n=174), I identified the moderating role care has on the technology adoption process. I conducted a case study with elementary educators (n=9) and identified how care is expressed in online settings among young learners. This set of research papers contributes to a broader understanding of how caring for the well-being of students influences technology adoption and usage. It highlights gaps in educational technology by emphasizing the need for emotional and social considerations and reinforces the idea that addressing students’ well-being plays an important role in their academic success.