Computer use in senior high school science instruction : a survey of senior high school science teachers in southern Alberta
Date
1991
Authors
Orr, Douglas Robert
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1991
Abstract
This project is concerned with the ways in which senior
high school science teachers use microcomputer technology in
their regular science instruction programs. The focus of this
study is the classroom teacher - teacher attitudes and
behaviors, and some of the underlying factors connecting what
teachers think and do about innovation and change,
specifically concerning the applications of micro-computers to
senior high school science classroom instruction and
management. The intent of this project is to provide some
specific information about the ways in which senior high
school science teachers in southern Alberta utilize
microcomputer technology in their classes; and to identify
some of their attitudes about microcomputer technology in
senior high school science instruction. The study itself
consisted of two components: a survey of high school science
teachers, and interviews with four of the survey respondents.
The survey component comprised a questionnaire to determine
to what extent micro-computers are actually being used in high
school science classrooms, the nature of this use, and a
simple experience and attitude profile of both users and nonusers.
The second facet of this study consisted of interviews
with four volunteers from the survey sample, to provide a
broader and deeper portrait of the situational and attitudinal
environments associated with different degrees of
microcomputer use in senior high school science instruction.
Primarily, this project focused on determing what senior high
school teachers in this region are doing with microcomputers,
and what factors appear to influence or predicate these uses.
Forty-five teachers responded to the survey. The primary
computer use reported by these respondents was word-processing and grade calculation. Only very limited use of
computers by students in science classes was reported. While
a majority of teachers reported endorsement of the integration
of computers into the high school science program, most also
reported receiving little or no support from administrations
for such integration. Teachers cited shortages of funds,
restricted access to hardware, and lack of quality software as
major hindrances to implementation of microcomputer technology
in senior high school science classrooms. While the impetus
for technological innovation may come from the grassroots,
implementational momentum must come from the educational
hierarchy.
Description
viii, 152 leaves ; 29 cm.
Keywords
Education -- Data processing , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Alberta , Science teachers -- Alberta