Harold

Why Do Elementary School Teachers Not Use Technology In the Classrooms? : Why Do Elementary School Teachers Not Use Technology In the Classrooms? Harold Williams EDD 631: Educational Seminar II Section 7805 Spring 2009 Instructor: Dr. Maxine Fisher

Overview : Overview With the computer age thrust upon teachers so abruptly, many teachers in my school who began teaching prior to the introduction of computers in the classroom have found it difficult to integrate technology into their classrooms and curriculum. This integration requires that teachers must now use technology across the curriculum and meet specific federal and state technology standards. Some teachers have computer and software applications training, but still there are countless others who have fallen by the wayside. Many teachers are being left behind when it comes to advancement in computer and technology use. They are expected to pass on technology training and knowledge to their students that they do not possess themselves. In many schools throughout the country there is little to no technology being offered in the classrooms, yet in other schools technology is flourishing along with student achievement.

School Demographics : School Demographics

Wireless School Lab & New Classroom Computers, Printers & Smart Boards : Wireless School Lab & New Classroom Computers, Printers & Smart Boards

Data Collection : Data Collection Are teachers not using computers and technology in the classroom because they have not been given adequate time, training, resources and functional equipment? Will providing teachers with technology and time management training and resources enable them to integrate technology into their curriculum? Will providing teachers with fully functional equipment enable them to integrate technology into their curriculums? Teacher interviews on computer knowledge, classroom usage and NYS & NYC technology standards Survey # of teachers actively using educational software Survey teachers’ attitudes concerning broken or non-existing computers and Smart technology In-lab student computer knowledge assessments Observe what forms of technology are currently being used in the classroom Survey of working and non-working computers in classrooms Observe how condition of classroom computers and how they are maintained. Survey # of teachers actively using NYCDOE E-mail to communicate with principal, parents, students and each other Student class computer usage interview Research Question#2 Research Question#3 Data Collection Matrix

Problem : Problem Before New Computer Acquisition

Action Plan : Action Plan Assess computer and Technology usage in the school Assess reasons why there is so little computer and Technology usage in the school What can be done to correct the existing problems Purchase new computers and printers for entire school and train teachers in to communicate via e-mail Provide software and internet subscriptions Train teachers in educational software applications and curriculum integration Provide workshops to train teachers how to use a Smart Board Provide technical and curriculum support

After School wide New Computer Purchases : After School wide New Computer Purchases

Before and After New Computer Purchase Comparison of Reasons for Not Fully Integration Technology Into Class Curriculum : Before and After New Computer Purchase Comparison of Reasons for Not Fully Integration Technology Into Class Curriculum

Computer usage (for any purpose) before and after new computer purchases : Computer usage (for any purpose) before and after new computer purchases *Although overall computer usage was up, curriculum integration was still at a minimum

Percent of Teachers using school e-mail : Percent of Teachers using school e-mail After I conducted a school wide Professional Development Workshop on NYCDOE E-mail the Principal made it mandatory for all teachers and support staff to confirm their NYCDOE e-mail account by11/08 and read the daily memo that she posted every morning.

Literacy Summary : Literacy Summary Most literature on the subject of technology use in classrooms indicate that the primary reasons for the lack of integration of technology into the classroom curriculum is primarily a result of the following reasons: Lack of proper teacher training Lack of current and working equipment Poor teacher attitudes toward technology Insufficient technology support

Quotes : Quotes The technology information age mandates that teacher education programs integrate technology into the curriculum. Yet, as the demand for technology use in k-12 classrooms increases nationwide, many teachers feel unprepared for this task (Sprague, Kopfman, & Dorsey, 1998). Nowadays more than ever, teaches are competing against the many other outside forces for their students attention. It is vital that they be given the tools that they need to keep children interested in the lessons that they are teaching. Among these tools lie the computer (Batane, 2004).

Summary : Summary Even after every classroom received new computers, new software and internet subscriptions, and teachers were given workshops on e-mail and smart board technology, and unlimited technical support, the integration of technology into classroom curriculums is still at a minimum. Although virtually every classroom computer is being used to some degree, most of the usage involves games, both education and non-educational, Google searches and e-mail checks. The primary reason for the lack of classroom integration prior to the installation of new computers was poor equipment. But since the installation of new computers in every classroom, the primary reason for not integrating technology into the curriculum is that there is now a lack of sufficient time to implement curriculum integration. Improvements have been made. More teachers are requesting new software and additional training on technology equipment and applications, such as smart board, digital photography, and using internet sites that help improve student reading and math performance. Some teachers say that with additional training they will include more technology in their classrooms, yet others make it quite clear that they have no interest or desire to use computers or technology, other than to check their e-mail.

References : References Batane, T. (2004). Inservice teacher training and technology: a case of Botswana. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 12(3), 387- 410. Marra, R. M. (2004). An on-line course to help teachers “use technology to enhance learning”: successes and limitations. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 12(3), 411-429.