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Edited by Diane McGrath, Kansas State University
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formerly Journal of Research on Computing in
Education
Extending Educational
Computing: A Case of Extensive Teacher Development
and Support
Judy M. Parr
University of Auckland
Abstract
Teachers are crucial to the integration of technology for
teaching and learning. This article discusses a
schoolÕs
efforts in teacher development and support for
technology
over five years. Access was facilitated by
allocating a
laptop computer to each staff member.
Concurrently, an in-house
inservice program was offered. Reported personal
use was
extensive; teacher confidence level and skill
improved markedly.
However, use of computers in the classroom
remained relatively
low. Further measures were instituted, including a
detailed
five-year plan for information technology, network
and hardware
expansion, appointing more technical support
staff, and
introducing, then refining, a technology-coaches
scheme
with specified basic skills for all staff.
Classroom use
showed small but steady gains in amount and
diversity. From
this case, factors such as pedagogical beliefs and
lack
of a collaborative culture are identified as
inhibiting
implementation of technology in the classroom.
Contributor
Judy Parr researches and teaches in the School of
Education
at the University of Auckland. Her research
interests include
writing processes and practices, electronic
written communication,
and technology in teaching and learning. (Address:
Dr. Judy
M. Parr, School of Education, The University of
Auckland,
Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand;
jm.parr@auckland.ac.nz.)
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the full article (PDF, 156 KB, 24 seconds PDF Instructions)
Copyright © 1999, ISTE (International Society for Technology
in Education).
All rights reserved.
| networking, hardware expansion, beliefs, collaboration, culture |
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