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Edited by Dr. Lynne Schrum, George Mason University
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| formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education |
Volume 39 Number 3 Spring 2007
Teacher concerns during initial implementation of a one-to-one laptop initiative
at the middle school level
Loretta Donovan
California State University, Fullerton
Kendall Hartley and Neal Strudler
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Abstract
Many schools are initiating projects that place laptop computers into the hands
of each student and teacher in the school. These projects entail a great deal
of planning and investment by all involved. The teachers in these schools are
faced with significant challenges as they prepare for teaching in classrooms
where every student has a computer. Using the Concerns-Based Adoption Model
of change, this study investigated the concerns of teachers in the early stages
of a one-to-one laptop initiative. The results of the study indicate that teachers
fall into two relatively well-defined categories in terms of their concerns
regarding the innovation. The majority of teachers have genuine concerns about
how the introduction of laptop computers into the school environment will impact
them personally. A lesser number have concerns about how they will be able to
best use the laptops to meet the needs of the students. Implications for professional
development include differentiating training based on teacher concerns, ensuring
teachers have a voice in the process and are well-informed of decisions pertaining
to the adoption, and implementation of the innovation.
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the full article (PDF, 735 KB, PDF instructions)
Contributors
Loretta Donovan is an assistant professor in the Department of Elementary and
Bilingual Education at California State University, Fullerton. Her current research
interests address the effective implementation of one-to-one programs in the
K-12 environment. She is involved in program evaluation of several one-to-one
laptop initiatives in California and Nevada. (Address: Loretta Donovan, Dept.
of Elementary and Bilingual Education, California State University, Fullerton,
Fullerton, CA, 92834-6868; ldonovan@Fullerton.edu)
Kendall Hartley is an associate professor of educational computing and technology
in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research
involves the use of computer-based technologies in teaching and learning. (Address:
Kendall Hartley, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Nevada,
Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3005; kendall.hartley@unlv.edu.)
Neal Strudler is a professor of educational computing and technology in the
College of Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His current research
focuses on technology integration in teacher education programs and K-12 schools.
(Address: Neal Strudler, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University
of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3005; strudler@unlv.nevada.edu)
Copyright 2007, (International Society for Technology in Education). All
rights reserved.
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