Abstract
<p>Computer Use Profiles of 1,300 Award-Winning Educators</p>
Highlights
As educators and their schools dedicate monies to obtaining computers and wiring schools for Internet connections, a central question remains: To what extent do teachers use computers and the Internet for instruction? In 1993, less than one half (49%) of elementary and secondary teachers reported using computers at work with much of the use being in the areas of word processing and desktop publishing functions (Bureau of Census, 1993)
By examining changes in the computer skill levels, types of computer uses, and perceived barriers or obstacles to greater computer use, there can be a clearer focus of efforts to expand the computer skill and usage of American educators
How are the computer skill levels distributed by gender, job type, years of experience, and community income levels?
Summary
As educators and their schools dedicate monies to obtaining computers and wiring schools for Internet connections, a central question remains: To what extent do teachers use computers and the Internet for instruction? In 1993, less than one half (49%) of elementary and secondary teachers reported using computers at work with much of the use being in the areas of word processing and desktop publishing functions (Bureau of Census, 1993). By the fall of 1996, only 20% of all public school teachers (22% of elementary and 18% of secondary) reported using advanced telecommunications for teaching (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 1997) In spite of this under-utilization of computers in instruction, only 13% of schools, districts, or certification agencies mandated any form of teacher training and in over one half of the schools, teachers were left on their own to seek computer training opportunities (NCES, 1997). This study examined the background characteristics and computer use profiles of 1,300 teachers, administrators, and educational support professionals from 32 states. Those in the sample had received “Outstanding Educator” awards between 1987 and 1996 from a private foundation.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
