Edited by Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington College, and Dr. W. Michael Reed, New York University
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

JRCE, Volume 33, Number 2, Winter 2000

Urban Middle School Teachers’ Use of Instructional Technology

Keith D. Clark
Sam Houston State University

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate teachers’ perspectives of their use of instructional technology, understanding of this technology, and feelings about the support structure associated with this equipment. Twenty-eight teachers in a large urban middle school participated. This study investigated the effect and influence of technology on teachers’ administrative duties as well as their interaction with students. This information is intended to help school districts improve current technology programs and to ascertain the most efficient methods of introducing new technology into classrooms. These findings suggest that, in this middle school, teachers feel that technology is an integral part of the process of educating their students. They also indicate that these teachers see a need for more technology in their classrooms. Included in this finding are four subassertions: (1) most teachers in this study felt confident in their ability to use technology, (2) teachers express opposing attitudes when it comes to the need for more training in technology, (3) teachers believe technology is an integral part of their classrooms, and (4) teachers believe their classrooms need more technology.

Web Resources
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Contributor

Keith D. Clark is the Assistant Superintendent of Finance for Aldine Independent School District in Houston, Texas. He has devoted 18 years to the children of Texas and has taught at the elementary and secondary levels. He has also worked as an elementary assistant principal, federal programs director, and finance director. He received his B S in Education from Abilene Christian University and his MEd in Educational Administration from Sul Ross State University. He is currently a doctoral student in the Center for Research and Doctoral Studies in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas.

Address: Keith Clark, 14910 Aldine Westfield Rd., Houston, TX 77032; kclark@aldine.k12.tx.us.

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