My company recently conducted a survey of 1,000 elementary teachers nationwide
on their attitudes towards, and use of, computers in the classroom. While
teachers are very positive about the potential for technology in teaching,
they identified two areas in need of attention: access to up-to-date computers
and sufficient training.
Even before purchasing computers, though, schools need a detailed plan -- not
just a plan for implementing and using technology, but identifying (as much as
possible) the educational goals they intend to reach through the technology.
In addition, there is a need for instructional materials that help teachers
effectively utilize technology as a tool for teaching and learning. Below are
some statistics (3%+/- margin of error) you might find useful in your
presentation. For anyone interested, more detailed findings can be found on
our home page at http:\\www.tenthplanet.com.
* 94% of US elementary teachers believe computers are powerful motivators for
improving learning.
* 76% have at least one computer in their classroom, yet only 36% have two or
more and just 14% have four or more computers -- the amount many experts say
is necessary to fully integrate computers into teaching -- to use with classes
averaging 24 students!
* Of those not using computers for teaching, 53% say it's because they don't
have enough computers.
* 58% have received formal PC training, with results that reinforce the value
of training: 86 percent say the training was very or somewhat helpful.
* Still, 42% have not received any computer training and 54% say their schools
do not provide enough training and support to integrate computers into their
teaching. (We think it's important to stress that teacher training needs to go
beyond simple computer skills and focus on using technology as a tool for
teaching and learning)
* Although most rate their computer skills as "comfortable using computers",
just 9 percent call themselves sophisticated users, while 37 percent call
themselves beginners or non-users. Obviously, training is especially
important for teachers not familiar with using technology as a tool for
teaching and learning.
The Tenth Planet Teachers & Technology Survey of K-6 elementary school
teachers covered numerous topics, including:
* Use of computers for teaching
* Attitudes towards computers in the classroom
* Computer expertise and training
* Internet access and CD-ROM availability at home and at school
* Teacher demographics and class size
Sorry this reply is a little long!
Jennifer Braun
(of Tenth Planet Explorations, a little tiny multimedia curriculum company in
Half Moon Bay, CA)
jbraun@tenthplanet.com