Ray A. James
ETEC 557-01W
Date: 22 Jan. 04
ABSTRACT NUMBER 1
CITATION:
Wilson, Janell. (2003) Use of Computers by Secondary Teachers: A report from A University Service Area. Education, Summer 2003, 123(4), 695-705. [Available online at: http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=10186516&db=aph]
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SUMMARY:
This study is about how computers are being used in the classroom. Educators are being asked to apply technology in a classroom to enhance learning. Technology needs to be readily accessible to all students. According to the education journal, computer technology in a classroom might create an environment that could be less conductive to learning. Nineteen billion dollars has been used to develop information technology infrastructure in school districts and classrooms in the United States.
This study shows within the last 5 years that the numbers of schools that are Internet connected are up to ninety percent. The ratio of students to computer has dropped to a low of 5:1, compared to a ratio of 26:1, ten years ago. According to Guha, there has been seven barriers to integration: software titles and websites that are not high quality, the titles don’t match curriculum, no provision by the state and district to preview software, a small number of computers are available in a classroom, the cost of educational software, the lack of time to prepare, and the lack of time to integrate the software and websites.
The majority of the teachers in the survey used the computer primarily for grades. On an average, the secondary teachers used the computer for the classroom about 3.2 hours per week. Teachers used the computer show 74% of the time grading and 54% of the time making lesson plans. The top 3 software programs uses on the computer are: software to the Internet, Microsoft word, and PowerPoint. The most popular CD game is Accelerated Reader. The most popular computer programs are: email, Microsoft word, spreadsheet, and PowerPoint.
PERSONAL REACTION:
This article is well written and is important for the understanding of what is being spent on our tax dollars. Nineteen billion dollars is a lot of money being spent on computers that don’t have any state guided programs. The article does not mention how state guidelines such as TEK, could be used more efficiently with the computer. All that was said about the article doesn’t surprise me one bit. The Federal Government needs to adapt a program to be given to the states that shows what software could be used in a safe manner for students that need to demonstrate a higher level of learning.
The classroom environment will require that the teacher be well-prepared ahead of time, to keep students on-task according to the lesson plans that are made to support TEK guidelines here in Texas. The seven barriers to integration need to be resolved by the state regulating the teachers for professionalism. This article supports the American School Board Journal toward measuring our kids.