Enhancing Teachers' Motivation to Apply Humanist Information Technology Innovations

Abstract

This article focuses on the following issue: How can we build a training and support system that would enhance the motivation and capacity of teachers for high-quality implementation of information technology innovations guided by humanist ideas? That is, a system that would not only increase teachers' motivation to apply Humanist Information Technology Innovations (HITI), but would also enhance their capacity and will to apply the program in a way that is true to its spirit and does not neglect its more challenging and complex goals. First, the author presents basic obstacles that are likely to undermine the motivation of many teachers to learn and apply HITI. Second, the author presents two principles of interventions addressing these obstacles. Third, the author presents the actual plan and structure of a training and support system that would enhance the motivation and capacity of teachers for high-quality implementation of HITI. Fourth, the author presents evidence from an intervention utilizing the training and support system described above. The article ends with some thoughts on the type of relationship the author develops with teachers during his work with them. This part is mainly descriptive, but also has some normative implications.